Michael Essien is delighted with Chelsea's start in the UEFA Champions League but says the Blues missed the influential striker Didier Drogba. Essien started in a holding midfield role as Chelsea beat Portuguese champions FC Porto 1-0 at Stanford Bridge on Wednesday and reckons that despite the below par performance, it is still a great start for them. "It's a good start for us in the Champions League," he said. "The most important thing is to win your home games.” Essien believes the absence of Drogba also played a part in the display. "People are talking about our performance, but we missed Didier Drogba like all teams would miss their main striker. We played well. We scored without conceding, so it bodes well for the rest of the competition." Chelsea top their group after Atletico Madrid could only draw goalless against Apoel Nicosia. Chelsea next play Tottenham Hotspurs in the English premiership this weekend. Source: Kickoff.com