New Chelsea star Juan Mata returned to play against his former club as Chelsea conceded a needles penalty five minutes from the end of the their Champions League group game against Valencia, resulting in a 1-1 draw, that otherwise would have seen the Blues take all three points in an impressive performance champions league draw.
Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard started the game after recently being dropped to the substitutes bench, and he rewarded his manager’s decision with a fine second half strike that looked to have given Chelsea the victory.
Lampard was later substituted by Salomon Kalou who’s needless hand ball gave Valencia a penalty five minutes from time and the opportunity to salvage a draw champions league draw.
Chelsea started the game brightly and could have been awarded a penalty of their own after Fernando Torres appeared to be bundled off the ball when he was through on goal, but the referee saw no infringement.
Chelsea were again unlucky as Ramires was fouled just outside the penalty area when he would have been through on goal. Lampard fired a low free-kick past the defensive wall but Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves managed to deflect the ball away to prevent Chelsea taking the lead.
After the initial bright start, the first half then became a cagey affair and both teams were limited with their goal scoring opportunities champions league draw.
Chelsea emerged for the second half with a new enthusiasm and a flair in attack that hasn’t been seen by the Blues in recent times. Fernando Torres nearly scored with a header after a fine cross from Jose Bosingwa, but the effort was well saved. Ramires then fired the ball straight at Alves in the Valencia goal, when he broke free and only had the goalkeeper to beat, Torres fine effort from point-blank range was well blocked, but the momentum was building from Chelsea and a goal looked to be inevitable champions league draw.
The goal finally came in the 56th minute when Malouda showed great skill and provided an inch perfect pass for Lampard, who hammered the ball home from just inside the penalty area giving Alves absolutely no chance to save.
The victory was far from secure, however, and Valencia pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but the Blues held firm, showing a resolution in defence that has been distinctively lacking in recent weeks. The home side were limited to long range efforts, but this still required the Blues goalkeeper Cech to make some fine saves.
Lampard was replaced late in the game by Solomon Kalou but it was the substitute that needlessly handled the ball from a corner, from which the referee showed no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Soldado calmly placed penalty kick, sending Cech the wrong way and to secure the draw, which on the night was probably a fair result champions league draw.
Steve Goodwin is an expert author, football fan and retailer of football souvenirs from the English Premier League, available from the football shop and all items are available to ship worldwide champions league draw.