Nicolas Anelka, a leaner, swifter figure, has been first-choice striker for most of the season and Drogba has been working to reassert his seniority by shedding bulk and gaining speed.

But once he returned to full fitness, he struck up a good understanding with his main strike-partner Nicolas Anelka and his precision passing created a number of goals for other team mates as well.

Nicolas Anelka is the league's top-goal scorer but many of his goals have been scratchy and come only after opponents have already gone behind.