The former AC Milan coach may have been around Stamford Bridge only a matter of months but the team already mirror the man - passionate and committed.

That was clearly evident at the Britannia Stadium when Florent Malouda scored a stoppage-time winner against Stoke after a spell of sustained pressure.

The goal stretched Chelsea's 100% record to five games, cemented their place at the top of the table and gave them a timely boost ahead of the home match with Porto.

Ancelotti said: "We played well and with big hearts. It is always important to believe you can go on and get the victory.

"I do not think were are lucky - we play until the last minute - and we did a very good job against Stoke. We want to continue like this as our fans are very happy."

Told he had a better starting record than former manager Jose Mourinho, Ancelotti responded: "It is not a battle against Mourinho - it was a battle against Stoke."

While Stoke manager Tony Pulis was dejected at the manner of the defeat he took time out to praise Chelsea.

He said: "They have some great players and they keep going. We could not get out in the second half - they are a good side.

"That's twice we have lost to them in injury, so obviously we are very disappointed at the outcome.

"We haven't got the quality Chelsea have. I hold my hands up to that. But our attitude and commitment and everyone's willingness to work will take us a long way."

Ancelotti refuses to be distracted by the transfer embargo imposed by FIFA with the governing body now stating that Chelsea will not be allowed to recall players on a season-long loan deal.

He said: "We are appealing to FIFA, so we have to wait. All I am thinking about is the next game against Porto, that's all."

Stoke made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute after Glenn Whelan swung in a cross from the right and Abdoulaye Faye sent a towering header beyond Petr Cech.

However Didier Drogba pulled Chelsea level in first half stoppage time with his fourth goal of the season after getting away from Faye following a superb through ball from Frank Lampard.

It was all hands to the pump for Stoke in the second half and they seemed to have secured a point only for Malouda to have the last word.

Ancelotti thought Chelsea deserved it on the balance of play.

He said: "We got what we deserved because we tried to attack all the time. I am very happy because it was a difficult game.

"To be top of the league is very important. We have good confidence in our play and a very good atmosphere in the dressing room. "

Pulis could be without striker James Beattie and goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for a spell after first half injuries.

Beattie appeared to suffer a recurrence of a knee problem when he scuffed a shot wide in the ninth minute when clear on goal.

Then Sorensen limped off with after apparently pulling a muscle. Both will be assessed tomorrow.

Pulis added "The result is hard to take as we battled really hard and defended well.

"They had a lot of possession second half and got a lot of bodies forward. But we have given them a game and made them work for their victory."