A goal in each half from Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba kept Chelsea on top of Group B and ensured Grant's record in the competition is unblemished.

While Grant was happy with the performance - achieved on billionaire owner Roman Abramovich's 41st birthday - he insists it will take time to achieve his desire to turn Chelsea into an attacking force.

Grant declared: "We can play better. But we played positive, good football and scored two goals and could have scored more. We are in first place in the group table with seven points so you can't ask for any more at this stage.

"I think Didier's goal was a very good goal in terms of the combination. It was a very good cross from Paulo Ferreira and Didier scored. I like each goal that comes from a combination like that.

"I don't like to speak about players personally but Didier is a very positive person and he speaks on the pitch as he needs to speak on the pitch - he is doing that very well."

Chelsea were helped by Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who allowed Malouda's shot to go through his legs, but it was the second goal that was a "bitter blow" according to coach Mirko Slomka.

He said: "We could have achieved more but the goals came at unfavourable moments which affected our motivation.

"The second goal was a bitter blow. After that it was difficult to find a way through to the Chelsea goal.

"If it had been 0-0 for longer we may have had more chances. We tried to build from the back and control the ball but the final pass into the penalty area was missing.

"Chelsea did create chances on the counter-attack and from long balls to Drogba. After their second goal, we had to take more risks.

"It is not just the goalkeeper's fault, you can look at the defence. But he made three very good saves tonight and was helpful in the team building."