The Premiership front runners get a Champions League French lesson which sees Chelsea struggle and Liverpool scraping through nervously with a C minus. Here’s the notes from last night’s games…

There were no shocks in Rafa’s lineup for their clash with Marseille. Gerrard returned from a groin injury with Keane dropping to the bench to make way as Liverpool lined up in what is becoming the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Alonso came back into that formation alongside Mascherano with Lucas, not surprisingly, dropping out.

Gerrard was the difference yet again then, powering home a first half header from superb Alonso run and cross. Rafa’s men surrendered control of this one and had Reina to thank for keeping them in front. That will worry Rafa but progress to the last sixteen should be enough to dampen those concerns.

Going into the West Ham game, I’d expect Rafa to look to field a similar side, although he may look to recall Keane to a 4-4-2. Aurellio is an early doubt for Monday night’s game, he picked up a calf strain last night. Dossena is set to start then. There are also, as yet unconfirmed reports that Torres picked up a further injury to his hamstring in the final stages, that could keep him out for several weeks. Don’t panic just yet – I’ll keep you posted on that.

With Liverpool safely through, we have nothing to fear in terms of rotation prior to their final group match on December 9th. Rafa’s men will play Blackburn prior to that trip to PSV Eindhoven. In contrast, Chelsea are the only English side still dangling over the edge of disqualification after their draw with Bordeaux. They need to see off FC Cluj on December 9 to ensure their passage through and will need to do it without Lampard who was dismissed for two yellows last night.

Scolari kept Drogba on the bench here – no doubt as a result of the all the Inter talk. Elsewhere, Ballack replaced the suspended Deco in midfield, while Alex returned from injury to take a place on the bench. His return will threaten Ivanovic for the weekend game with Arsenal and, with Carvalho also on the verge of a return, the mid-price opportunities in the Chelsea back four are close to drying up.

Anelka started up front and did the business again, latching onto Lampard’s pass to finish with aplomb. That was his 14th goal of what has become an outstanding season. Drogba remains a threat though – perhaps not to his starting role, but certainly his minutes on the pitch and his long-term fantasy output. He eventually replaced Anelka just after the hour mark as Chelsea, like Liverpool, allowed their opponents into this game and had their keeper to thank on several occasions, before Bordeaux eventually found a late equalizer.

The visit of Arsenal at the weekend will see likely Deco restored to the Chelsea lineup, with Ballack set to drop out. Alex will be in the reckoning to come in for Ivanovic. Drogba remains suspended so Anelka is sure to start against his former club.

With qualification still not in the bag, Scolari will have to think about his Premiership lineup for the trip to Bolton December 6th now – with the crucial encounter with FC Cluj following a few days later. We’ll need to be aware of the threat of rest and rotation for that one, although with Drogba suspended, Anelka looks certain to start. Lampard will also be unaffected given his suspension for the Cluj encounter. The likes of Joe Cole, Deco and Ashley Cole could well be vulnerable however.