A show of strength from Chelsea
By John Ley
Electronic Telegraph, 12th December 2007
Chelsea achieved another milestone last night when they extended their
unbeaten Stamford Bridge record in all competitions to 50. Already assured
of their place in next week's Champions League knockout draw, and against
a sadly inept Valencia showing nothing of their past brilliance, this was
a canter and the result was predictable.
They ended their group campaign with another hugely impressive landmark yet
when the Champions League began there were few signs of such an outcome,
with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea stumbling to a 1-1 draw.
Fast-forward to a dominant Chelsea display at a near-capacity Stamford
Bridge happy to witness an uncomplicated affair ahead of Sunday's London
collision with Premiership leaders Arsenal.
In terms of overall importance, this was hardly going to register as one
of the great European nights at Stamford Bridge. But as a tool for
returning key figures, it was a valuable outing. Already confirmed as
group winners - that was achieved with a 4-0 win in Norway against
Rosenborg - Chelsea could have been forgiven for treating this affair
lightly, but that was far from the case.
Petr Cech was back ahead of Sunday's trip to the Emirates Stadium, making
his first appearance since he damaged a calf muscle in the game in
Gelsenkirchen against Schalke early last month. In addition, there was the
welcome sight for Chelsea of defender Paulo Ferreira, returning after
missing seven games with an ankle problem.
Add the presence of Michael Essien, in the middle of a league suspension,
and Chelsea had reasons to be cheerful, even if Didier Drogba was out after
undergoing a knee operation.
Drogba's absence offers Andrei Shevchenko an extended opportunity, and a
player with one of the best goalscoring records in European competition
almost added to his huge tally in the opening four minutes.
The Ukrainian began the night on 47 Champions League goals and 60 in all
Uefa competitions, just three behind record-holder Filippo Inzaghi. When
Frank Lampard threaded the ball forward, Shevchenko was a whisker away
from goal No 61, only to be thwarted by veteran goalkeeper Santiago
Canizares. From the corner Chelsea went close again, captain John Terry
placing a header just wide of the target. Then Shaun Wright-Phillips
forced Canizares into a clumsy punched clearance as Chelsea continued to
display just how far they have come under Avram Grant, 11 weeks after
the departure of Mourinho.
Chelsea were passing the ball comfortably and showing little of their
caution under Mourinho, as demonstrated in the 17th minute when Ferreira
ventured forward before crossing from the right, where Claudio Pizarro was
inches away from deflecting the ball inside the near post.
Valencia, without a goal in their previous four games, showed a cavalier
attitude of their own soon afterwards when Canizares rushed out of his
area to clear from Salomon Kalou, only to lose the ball in a stranded
position. Fortunately for the Spaniards, Kalou's return was every bit as
casual. Canizares redeemed himself with a one-handed save to deny Lampard
as Chelsea maintained their constant pressure.
Not until the 43rd minute was Cech brought properly into action, and he
demonstrated that he had lost nothing during his sojourn when parrying
an angled drive from David Villa.
At half-time Chelsea replaced Shevchenko - presumably to protect him for
the Arsenal trip - with Claude Makelele, the Frenchman dropping in front
of the back four and Pizarro operating as a lone striker, though with
Kalou in close attendance.
Chelsea threatened again early in the second half when Essien fed Pizarro.
Though the flag stayed down, by the time Canizares had saved, the referee's
assistant belatedly gave offside.
Lampard was replaced by Joe Cole as Chelsea looked to protect their assets
further and within seconds they had the ball in the Valencia net, only for
Kalou to be judged offside as he converted Pizarro's through ball.
Canizares was called on again, in the 66th minute, to deny Pizarro as
Chelsea tried with vigour to end their group campaign with a victory.
Before the end, Chelsea were denied twice by a post, first from Kalou and
then Joe Cole, either side of another impressive save from Canizares, to
deny Pizarro.
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