Are Chelsea ready to buy?

The Portuguese coach would not comment on whether he will utilise more of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's fortune on strengthening an already talent-laden squad.

But Chelsea's bill for new players since the Russian oil billionaire took over is already pushing £180million, and they can buy almost anybody they want.

Yesterday's win put Chelsea eight points clear of Arsenal at the top and they have lost only once, way back in mid-October at Manchester City. Apart from Babayaro's hamstring and Parker's broken metatarsal Ricardo Carvalho has a fractured foot.

And there is a doubt now over defender John Terry, who seemed to damage a groin muscle early in the second half. He lasted to the finish and Mourinho insisted: "He is just tired after two games in three days. Now he can rest until we play Liverpool on Saturday."

But Ivory Coast striker Drogba's uninspiring comeback from a groin operation is the biggest problem - especially as Mourinho has never replaced banned drug-abuser Adrian Mutu.

He said: "We know we have to be patient with Drogba. Steve Clarke [assistant coach] had the same operation in his career and says it might feel like it is better but often it is not completely and you need more time. We will try to give him this."

Drogba missed 10 games after surgery in October and was not sharp enough to take two good chances against Pompey. It was only when he was taken off for the last 30 minutes that Chelsea took some kind of charge.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech saved them with a spectacular leap to keep out a swerving long-range drive by Nigel Quashie in the first 20 minutes and Aiyegbeni Yakubu had a goal ruled out for a foul.

But Dutchman Robben, who made such an opening impact to his Premiership career with four goals in four games, emerged from a quiet afternoon for an 81st-minute opener, courtesy of a deflection off Matthew Taylor's knee that confounded goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

And Pompey were then vulnerable to a second two minutes into stoppage time, Cole capitalising on determined work by substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen to find the target.