Paris Saint-Germain 1 Valencia 1 (aggregate 3-2): Ezequiel Lavezzi scores

Posted on March 7, 2013 by adminsports

PSG 1 Valencia 1 (agg 3-2): Beckham celebrates from the bench as Lavezzi secures progression to the last eight

PUBLISHED:

21:37 GMT, 6 March 2013

UPDATED:

10:18 GMT, 7 March 2013

David Beckham led the celebrations as Paris Saint-Germain slugged rather than sashayed their way through to the Champions League quarter-finals after drawing with Valencia at the Parc des Princes.

It took the jolt of a fine Valencia goal from Jonas early in the second half to rouse the home side, and Ezequiel Lavezzi's equaliser secured a draw on the night and a narrow aggregate win.

It was Lavezzi's second goal of the tie after he and Javier Pastore scored in Spain three weeks ago. PSG were in full control at the Mestalla until a dramatic injury-time period saw Adil Rami pull a goal back and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off, making tonight's second leg increasingly complicated on two counts.

Just about: Ezequiel Lavezzi bundled home the equaliser before receiving a yellow card for removing his shirt

Nice tats: Lavezzi showed off his tattoos, including Jesus and compatriot Diego Maradona

MATCH FACTS

Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu, Thiago Silva, Alex, Maxwell, Matuidi, Chantome, Jallet (Van der Wiel 27), Motta (Gameiro 58), Lucas (Sakho 83) Moura, Lavezzi, Pastore

Subs not used: Douchez, Camara, Armand, Beckham

Goal: Lavezzi 66

Booked: Lavezzi

Valencia: Guaita, Cissokho, Barragan, Ruiz, Mathieu, Albelda (Banega 46), Feghouli (Piatti 63), Parejo, Facundo Costa, Jonas (Valdez 76), Soldado

Subs not used: Diego Alves, Joao Pereira, Guardado, Canales

Booked: Ruiz, Albelda, Soldado, Parejo

Goal: Jonas 55

Referee: Milorad Mazic

Ibrahimovic was given a two-match ban
by UEFA, and the Sweden striker was certainly missed on the field for
this return leg as he watched from the stands. Without him, the home
side were toothless in the first half.

They certainly did not appear a side capable of reaching the Wembley final on May 25, but on they go.

Those looking for romance forged at
home in the story of Parisian resurgence might prefer to overlook the
fact it has been funded by overseas money, since the 2011 takeover by
the Qatar Investment Authority.

Their budget is more Champions League
than Ligue 1, and the personnel brought to the Parc des Princes over
the last two years reflects it.

The sudden wealth means tangible
success in Europe is a requisite, so winning in Spain three weeks ago
was not the achievement it might have been considered before the
takeover and more another step in the plan for growth.

PSG are unbeaten in
their last 23 European home matches now but they were clinging on at
the end as Valencia sought the goal that would have forced extra-time.

Overjoyed: David Beckham celebrates Lavezzi's equaliser from the sidelines

Pick that one out: Jonas rifled Valencia into the lead in the second half

Game on: Jonas celebrates his stunning goal after half-time to bring Valencia back into the tie

Twisting: Lucas (left) turns away from his marker Jeremy Mathieu

With Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti
suspended, and winger Jeremy Menez injured, manager Carlo Ancelotti –
who won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007 with AC Milan – had a
weakened hand before kick-off.

Lucas started alongside Lavezzi in attack.

There was no room in the starting XI
for Beckham, squeezed out of central midfield by Thiago Motta and
Blaise Matuidi. The former England captain was primed on the bench but
stayed there.

PSG fans might have been wary that
their expensively-assembled team are prone to aberrations, such as their
league defeat to Reims at the weekend.

Jonas almost got in behind the home defence in the eighth minute but a foot in by Christophe Jallet denied him.

Valencia had a further chance when
Jonas linked up with strike partner Roberto Soldado. Salvatore Sirigu
smothered his low 15-yard shot.

Ouch: Blaise Matuidi lies on the turf after taking a hefty challenge

Putting the boot in: Lucas Moura (right) swings in a cross

Jonas sent a 20-yard shot bobbling wide, and Tino Costa cracked an ambitious effort several yards off target.

Sirigu palmed away a stinging 20-yard drive from Jonas just before the break, but it was a ball he might have caught.

From the corner that followed, Costa
struck the ball so sweetly it was missed by everyone in blue and red,
and also his team-mates as it swerved wide of the far post.

Limbering up: Beckham stretches ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's match

Eyes on the prize: The former England captain performs some kick-ups ahead of the game

Waiting in the wings: Beckham warms up ahead of the clash with Valencia

Benched: Beckham started the match on the sidelines

Ever Banega stepped out in place of Albelda for the second half, an attacking move by Valencia.
Jonas made the breakthrough in the 55th minute with a crashing 25-yard drive inside the left post.

Valencia had more zip about their
game, but PSG were level 11 minutes later though and it was Lavezzi who
woke the home crowd from an understandable stupor. Kevin Gameiro, on in
place of Thiago Motta, bustled through a couple of challenges before the
ball rolled kindly for his team-mate.

Vicente Guaita repelled Lavezzi's
15-yard blast but could then do nothing to prevent him tucking the ball
over the line with his knee.

Clement Chantome's 25-yard swipe drew a solid save from Guaita, with PSG on top for perhaps the first time in the match.

Valencia poured pressure on the Paris
goal in the closing minutes but they struggled to get in behind as their
campaign reached its end.

Real Madrid 2 Atletico Madrid 0: Cristiano Ronaldo eclipses Falcao

Posted on December 2, 2012 by adminsports

Real Madrid 2 Atletico Madrid 0: Ronaldo magic eclipses muted Falcao

PUBLISHED:

23:27 GMT, 1 December 2012

UPDATED:

01:15 GMT, 2 December 2012

Third-placed Real Madrid remained 11
points off the pace after winning a highly-anticipated derby 2-0,
ensuring Atletico's winless run in the fixture will stretch into its
14th year.

A wonderful free-kick from Cristiano
Ronaldo lit up what was an otherwise disappointing first half before
Mesut Ozil secured all three points with a tidy finish 25 minutes from
time.

Free range: Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his early strike

Earlier, 10-man Valencia went down 5-2 against Real Sociedad – with coach Mauricio Pellegrino sacked soon after the full-time whistle at the Mestalla.

'We have been exchanging views, and we made the decision to dismiss Mauricio Pellegrino,' Valencia president Manuel Llorente said.

Former player Salvador Gonzalez, known as Voro, will take temporary charge of Los Che.

Sporting director Braulio Vazquez added on the club's website: 'If you look at the future of the team, you can understand that in this game we have not been good, but the progression of the team was not right.

'I want to emphasise that Mauricio has gone, but it is the responsibility of all.'

Close call: Ronaldo saw this effort hit the post

Roberto Soldado's second-minute strike
had given the hosts an early lead but they were never in control and
were pegged back before half-time as Alberto de la Bella fired in an
equaliser minutes after Jonas had seen a straight red card for lashing
out at David Zurutuza.

Sociedad took control in the second period as further goals from Mikel
Gonzalez, Diego Ifran, Imanol Agirretxe and Carlos Vela rendered
Soldado's second of the evening meaningless and lifted the victors to
seventh.

Also in the Spanish top flight today, Getafe moved level on points with
fourth-placed Malaga thanks to a 1-0 win. Alberto Lopo headed home the
game's only goal 11 minutes into the second half.
end

Champions League round-up: Bayern Munich beat Lille 6-1

Posted on November 8, 2012 by adminsports

Champions League round-up: Bayern smash pointless Lille to go joint top of group

UPDATED:

23:39 GMT, 7 November 2012

Bayern Munich brushed aside pointless
Lille 6-1 at the Allianz Arena to open up Group F, with Claudio Pizarro
leading the rout with a first-half hat-trick.

Bastian Schweinsteiger had set Bayern
on their way with a sixth minute opener and further goals were added by
Arjen Robben and Toni Kroos, while Salomon Kalou replied for the French
side.

Valencia joined Bayern on nine points with a 4-2 home win over BATE Borisov.

Too easy: Bayern Munich dismantled Lille, beating the French side 6-1

Two goals from Sofiane Feghouli and
one each for Jonas and Roberto Soldado saw off the Ukrainians, for whom
Renan Bressnan and Dmitri Mozolevski got on the scoresheet.

Juventus kept the destiny of Group E wide open with a comfortable 4-0 win over Norwegian side Nordsjaelland in Turin.

Juve, who now sit a point behind Chelsea and Shakhtar, were never troubled with Claudio Marchisio opening the scoring after six minutes and further goals added by Arturo Vidal, Sebastian Giovinco and Fabio Quagliarella.

Smashing: Juventus brushed aside Nordsjaelland and sit behind Chelsea and Shakhtar by a point

Close: Galatasaray's Burak Yilmaz tries to beat FC Cluj's goalkeeper in Romania on Wednesday

Galatasaray's 3-1 win over Cluj in Romania guaranteed Manchester United's progression as winners of Group H.

Burak Yilmaz scored a hat-trick for the visitors with Modou Sougou replying for Cluj, with the two sides now tied in second place on four points.

After Celtic pulled off a momentous win over Barcelona, there was even better news to come for the Bhoys as Benfica beat Spartak Moscow 2-0 in Portugal to leave the Scottish champions three points clear in second place.

Oscar Cardozo's second half double was enough to provide Benfica with their first group stage win, while Spartak's slim hopes ended after having Nicolas Pareja sent off in the 76th minute.

Deadly: Oscar Cardozo (left) sealed Benfica's first group win over Spartak Moscow

Barcelona beat Celta Vigo, Real Madrid beat Zaragoza

Posted on November 4, 2012 by adminsports

Barcelona stretch lead at top as Messi celebrates becoming a dad

UPDATED:

23:25 GMT, 3 November 2012

Lionel Messi could not produce a goal to mark the birth of his first son but Barcelona still took the points with a straightforward 3-1 Primera Division victory over Celta Vigo.

Three goals in the space of five minutes sparked the match into life after the 20-minute mark as Adriano and David Villa scored either side of Mario Bermejo's strike for Celta.

Jordi Alba then wrapped up the win for the Catalan club just after the hour.

Main man: Lionel Messi (left) holds the European Golden Boot 2012 award

Flying high: Barcelona celebrate on their way to beating Celta Vigo

World player of the year Messi became a father for the first time this week, and played the full match on Saturday.

Barcelona moved three points clear at the top after Atletico Madrid's unbeaten start to the season was ended with a 2-0 defeat at Valencia.

Atletico had won eight matches on the trot in the league, but succumbed to Roberto Soldado's 21st-minute goal and a stoppage-time strike from Nelson Valdez at the Mestalla.

Real Madrid moved into third place and handed Jose Mourinho his 100th win in charge of the club with a 4-0 victory over Real Zaragoza.

Here we go:Real Madrid's Luka Modric (left) celebrates his goal against Real Zaragoza

Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria put the hosts in a commanding position with a goal apiece in a two-minute spell midway through the first half.

Zaragoza were unfortunate not to get back into the game early in the second period as Jose Mari hit the crossbar and Helder Postiga had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside.

Madrid wrapped the scoring up in the final two minutes as Michael Essien and Luka Modric scored their first goals since swapping the Premier League for the Spanish capital.

On target: Michael Essien was also amongst the goals for Real Madrid

Rayo Vallecano inflicted a first home defeat of the season on Malaga, who dropped to fourth, thanks to two goals from Piti.

The midfielder opened the scoring after 11 minutes but the visitors were pegged back four minutes into the second period by a Martin Demichelis header.

However, Rayo got the winner they deserved on the hour mark when Piti fired into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Lionel Messi tops 300 as Barcelona hit five again to move clear at top of La Liga

Posted on October 28, 2012 by adminsports

Messi tops 300 as Barcelona hit five again to move clear at top

UPDATED:

22:52 GMT, 27 October 2012

Barcelona moved clear at the top of the Primera Division table for 24 hours at least with a thumping 5-0 win at Rayo Vallecano.

David Villa scored the only goal of
the first half before Lionel Messi gave Barca a clear advantage three
minutes after the break.

Goal machine: Lionel Messi scores his 300th goal

That was how it stayed until the final 10 minutes when the floodgates suddenly opened as Xavi and Cesc Fabregas found the target before Messi grabbed his second and his 300th career goal a minute from the end.

The late goal rush put the focus squarely back on closest challengers Atletico Madrid, who will attempt to draw level with Barca again when they host bottom-placed Osasuna on Sunday.

Real Betis moved up to fourth with a 1-0 home win over Valencia.

Salva Sevilla scored his first goal of the season on nine minutes after Juan Carlos' cross was not properly cleared by Adil Rami.

Adrian ensured the win, and his third consecutive clean sheet since taking over as the first-choice goalkeeper, when he kept out Roberto Soldado's late effort with his legs.

Sharp shooter: Cesc Fabregas, right, celebrates his goal

Celta Vigo claimed a 1-1 draw in their Galician derby with Deportivo La Coruna despite playing with 10 men for 40 minutes.

Mario Bermejo gave Celta an eighth-minute lead only for Juan Dominguez to equalise 21 minutes later.

Celta then had Gustavo Cabral dismissed for a second caution on 52 minutes but the visitors failed to make the extra man count.

Third-placed Malaga failed to close on the leaders as they were held to a goalless draw against struggling Espanyol at the Cornella El-Prat.

Champions League round-up: Juventus draw with Nordsjaelland

Posted on October 24, 2012 by adminsports

Champions League round-up: Juventus' hopes fading after Nordsjaelland draw

UPDATED:

23:33 GMT, 23 October 2012

Italian champions Juventus are
battling to save their Champions League hopes after being cut four
points adrift in their group following a surprise 1-1 draw at
Nordsjaelland.

Mikkel Beckmann's free-kick gave the
hosts a shock lead five minutes into the second half, and they held out
for more than half an hour before Mirko Vucinic lashed in an equaliser.

Down and out: The draw with Nordsjaelland leaves Juve in a precarious position

Elsewhere, Spartak Moscow earned their first Champions League points of the season with a 2-1 victory at home to Benfica.

Rafael Carioca gave the hosts a third-minute lead, and although Rodrigo Lima headed Benfica level at the Luzhniki Stadium, a Jardel own goal restored Spartak's advantage before half-time.

Galatasaray claimed the first point of their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Cluj.

It was a frustrating night for the
hosts, with Dany Nounkeu putting through his own net to give Cluj a
19th-minute lead before Felipe Melo missed a penalty 10 minutes before
half-time.

Gala dominated the second half though, and got their reward through Burak Yilmaz 13 minutes from time. Group F is a much tighter affair with Valencia, BATE Borisov and Bayern Munich all locked on six points.

Water performance: Yilmaz wheels away after scoring a goal against Cluj on a rain-sodden night in Istanbul

A hat-trick from Roberto Soldado ensured Valencia were convincing 3-0 winners in Belarus.

The Spain striker opened the scoring
from the penalty spot just before half-time and struck twice more in the
second half to sink BATE.

Bayern, meanwhile, hit back from
their shock loss to BATE last time out to edge past Lille 1-0, courtesy
of Thomas Muller's 20th-minute penalty.

The result means Lille have lost all three of their matches so far, conceding six goals in the process.

Mullered: Bayern celebrate their goal in front of a partisan crowd in Lille

Roberto Soldado rules out Tottenham move

Posted on August 17, 2012 by adminsports

Soldado rules out move to Tottenham after Valencia reject bid for striker

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 16 August 2012

Tottenham have had an offer rejected for Valencia's Roberto Soldado.

The Valencia captain, who has a 25m buy-out clause, said: 'I knew about the interest from Tottenham but my connection with Valencia is total. I want to play here and achieve many things with this team.'

Going nowhere: Roberto Soldado will not be joining TottenhamW

Going nowhere: Roberto Soldado will not be joining Tottenham

Euro 2012: Fernando Torres scores as Spain beat Korea

Posted on May 31, 2012 by adminsports

Spain 4 South Korea 1: Torres on target as champions send out ominous warning

UPDATED:

23:11 GMT, 30 May 2012

Fernando Torres scored on his return to the international fold as Spain continued their preparations for Euro 2012 with an impressive 4-1 win over South Korea in Bern.

The Chelsea forward opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a neatly flicked header from Benat Etxebarria's fine cross. However, a wonder strike from Kim Do-Heon brought the Koreans level two minutes before half-time.

Xabi Alonso quickly restored the World and European champions lead after the break from the penalty spot after Choi Hyo-Jin handled Nacho Monreal's shot and Santi Cazorla's clever free-kick extended their advantage four minutes later.

He's back! Fernando Torres (left) scored for Spain against Korea

Vicente del Bosque then made a raft of substitutions and two of the replacements combined for the fourth with 11 minutes remaining as Roberto Soldado's through-ball was smashed home by Alvaro Negredo.

Del Bosque had handed Torres his first start since August last year as one of seven changes from the side that started Saturday's 2-0 win over Serbia.

And the former Atletico Madrid man almost made an immediate impact as he diverted Cazorla's driven shot towards goal and the ball flew inches past.

Kim Jin-Hyeon was then called into action to parry Alonso's powerful effort from the edge of the area, but Spain's bright start was eventually rewarded moments later as Torres timed his run perfectly to flick Benat's cross into the top corner.

The world champions continued to threaten as the South Korea goalkeeper did well to turn away another Cazorla effort before David Silva's curling shot flashed just off target.

However, their pressure eased slightly midway through the half and the Koreans began to create some opportunities on the counter-attack.

In form: Spain head to Poland and Ukraine looking to defend their title

Son Heung-Min came close to levelling the scores as his shot from outside the area went inches wide before Yeom Ki Hun's inviting cross just evaded a number of team-mates waiting to apply the final touch inside the area.

The Asians did eventually find the net in spectacular style on 43 minutes though as Kim picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and fired an unstoppable shot high into Jose Reina's top right-hand corner.

Juan Mata passed up a great chance to restore Spain's lead just before half-time as he side-footed wide when one-on-one with the keeper, but it took only seven minutes of the second half for another opportunity to arise as Choi was somewhat harshly ruled to have deliberately handled Monreal's fiercely struck effort.

Alonso stepped up and comfortably rolled home the penalty for his 13th international goal.

The third goal arrived in similar circumstances as Cazorla's free-kick went underneath the wall – which had already jumped – and into the bottom corner.

The Atletico Madrid duo of Adrian Lopez and Alvaro Dominguez then came on alongside Negredo and Soldado to replace Sergio Ramos, Torres, Cazorla and Mata – but Silva continued to be the bright spark as he fired just over and saw another effort well saved.

Curler: Santiago Cazorla (left) scored a superb free kick for Spain

In the end though it was Negredo who rounded off a fine evening for Del Bosque's men as he latched onto Soldado's defence-splitting pass and hammered his effort underneath the keeper to stake his claim for some game time when the champions begin the defence of their European crown against Italy on June 10.

Before then Spain play China in a final preparation match on Sunday in Seville, when Del Bosque will also be able to call upon the nine players in his 23-man squad from Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao for the first time ahead of the tournament.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque was delighted to see Torres on target.

'He is one of those players that offers speed, movement and combination play with his team-mates,' Del Bosque said. 'He seemed delighted with the goal and this is good for everyone.'

Del Bosque was still without the nine Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao players who will join the squad in preparation for the European Championship on Friday, having been allowed time to rest after the Copa del Rey final, so six players who had missed out on the 23-man squad were included.

'Everyone has been great,' Del Bosque said, 'even though they know come Friday they will not be here.

'This hasn't just been a preparation but they have put in place the roots for the future of the national team.

'The Barcelona and Athletic players return to activity when we get back for the friendly against China. I hope we have a great atmosphere there and it will be a good send-off before the Euros.'

Euro 2012: Cesc Fabregas in Spain squad

Posted on May 27, 2012 by adminsports

Injured Fabregas in Spain squad as Pedro gets nod after brace in Copa del Rey final

UPDATED:

12:11 GMT, 27 May 2012

Barcelona forward Pedro has been rewarded for his two goals in the Copa del Rey final on Friday by being included in Spain's 23-man squad for the European Championships.

Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo was also selected among manager Vicente del Bosque's strikers, meaning there was no place for Roberto Soldado or Adrian Lopez despite the latter's goalscoring debut against Serbia on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid's Juanfran is included thanks in part to an injury suffered by Andoni Iraola in the cup final and Cesc Fabregas also makes it despite being ruled out for just over a week with a hamstring strain.

Midfield maestro: Pedo has made the cut and will feature for Spain this summer

SPAIN SQUAD

Casillas (Real Madrid), Valdes (Barcelona), Reina (Liverpool)

Alba (Valencia), Albiol, Arbeloa, Ramos (all Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Pique (Barcelona), Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Busquets, Fabregas (all Barcelona), Alonso (Real Madrid), Silva (Manchester City), Cazorla (Villarreal), Navas (Sevilla), Mata (Chelsea)

Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Torres (Chelsea), Negredo (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona).

Del Bosque fielded five debutants in the 2-0 win over Serbia and of those, Adrian made the strongest impression as he opened the scoring and won the penalty from which Santi Cazorla sealed the victory.

The coach told Marca: 'All those that have been with us can feel a little hurt.

'We have taken them and left them, but in August there are new squads. They need to be aware that they are very close to the national team.

“The seven that have been left out are a little upset, but they are good sportsmen. It was unthinkable that someone would debut and then come with us.

'We always had Pedro in mind. He has had an irregular season like many others, but we valued his trajectory over the medium term and for this reason we have taken him. We need wide players that are efficient and can complement the bench.

'I didn't have the Olympics in mind when it came to Adrian. Mata and Javi Martinez will be in the same position. We have preferred other options, but we recognise that he has been brilliant in these days with us. He has done everything very well.

Fine form: Spain celebrate their friendly win over Serbia

'Negredo and Soldado are two extraordinary and distinct players. One is quicker but the other offers more to the play of the team.'

Del Bosque also reflected on how the squad had evolved since winning the World Cup in South Africa two years ago, but again lamented the absence of David Villa and Carles Puyol through injury.

'Villa is irreplaceable, for his characteristics and effectiveness no one can do better than him,' he said. 'We feel the same with Puyol, who is also a fundamental miss for us.

'We have come four years since the last Euros and there has been a 50 per cent change in what was a relatively young squad. There were seven changes before South Africa and three since.

Missing out: Adrian Lopez has not been included in Spain's squad

'It is a ratification of the fact we are building usefully. Groups have to go and be filled with new people but we have a plenitude of players and I don't expect such a generation to last. However, we cannot have any doubt in these players.'

Finally, the former Real Madrid boss touched on those who did not make the squad due to last-minute injuries, as well as Fabregas' hamstring strain.

'In the case of Cesc the doctors are optimistic. We didn't believe there was any chance of not naming him.

'Thiago Alcantara has a problem of certain importance that also puts his participation in the Olympics in doubt and in the case of Iraola, he has all our appreciation but it seems he has been playing with a great desire and is not physically right.'

Chelsea v Bayern Munich: How the Blues got to the Champions League final

Posted on May 16, 2012 by adminsports

Bayern Munich v Chelsea: How the Blues got to the Champions League final

UPDATED:

10:40 GMT, 13 May 2012

Chelsea will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on May 19. Sportsmail looks at how they got there.

Group E
Chelsea 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0, September 13, 2011

Brazil defender David Luiz showed Fernando Torres how it should be done when he netted a fine strike as Chelsea opened their campaign with a victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge.

Misfiring 50million striker Torres was given another chance – but it was centre-half Luiz who curled a fine 18-yard effort on 67 minutes, with Juan Mata wrapping things up from close range in stoppage time.

Knee-sy does it: Luiz celebrates his strike against Bayer Leverkusen

Valencia 1 Chelsea 1, September 28, 2011

Andre Villas-Boas' recall of Frank Lampard was totally vindicated in Spain but the then Chelsea manager's decision to substitute him backfired spectacularly as Valencia snatched a draw at the Mestalla.

Lampard looked to have scored a trademark winner that would have put the visitors in complete command of Group E but Villas-Boas brought him off for Salomon Kalou with seven minutes remaining and the new man immediately conceded a penalty, which Roberto Soldado scored.

Chelsea 5 Genk 0, October 19, 2011

Torres doubled his goal tally for the season by scoring a brace as Chelsea thrashed Belgian champions Genk.

The Spaniard calmly stroked past Genk stopper Laszlo Koteles in the 11th minute after Raul Meireles had opened the scoring with a 25-yard strike – his first for the club.

Torres headed home his second from a Meireles cross before Branislav Ivanovic and Kalou completed the rout to help the Londoners consolidate their place at the top of the table at the halfway point of the group stages.

On target: Kalou scores in the 5-0 drubbing of Genk at Stamford Bridge

Genk 1 Chelsea 1, November 1, 2011

Chelsea blew the chance to put one foot in the knockout stage but their failure to beat Genk was overshadowed by another racism storm.

The Blues threw away a half-time lead at the Cristal Arena, with Ramires putting them ahead and Luiz missing a penalty before Jelle Vossen exposed more bad defending by netting Genk's first goal of the competition.

However, of far more concern to Chelsea was the behaviour of their fans, who repeatedly chanted about QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in response to the John Terry racism inquiry.

Bayer Leverkusen 2 Chelsea 1, November 23, 2011

Chelsea crashed to defeat to put them in real danger of failing to reach the knockout stage and pile the pressure on Villas-Boas.

For the third time on their travels the Blues took the lead, Didier Drogba scoring his second goal of the season shortly after half-time.

On target: Leverkusen completed a stunning fightback against Chelsea

But, as against Valencia and Genk, the visitors threw away victory, Eren Derdiyok equalising before Manuel Friedrich completed the comeback in stoppage-time.

Chelsea 3 Valencia 0, December 6, 2011

Chelsea avoided an early Champions League exit thanks to a Drogba-inspired win. The Ivorian rolled back the years to net twice as the Blues secured progression to the knockout stage as group winners.

Drogba broke the deadlock with a third-minute drive and, after Ramires prodded home at second, secured victory by neatly flicking in a Mata through-ball in the second half.

Round of 16
Napoli 3 Chelsea 1 (first leg) February 21, 2012

Out-of-sorts Chelsea produced more poor defending to throw away yet another lead to deservedly lose their last-16 first leg, with an Ezequiel Lavezzi brace sandwiching a controversial Edinson Cavani goal. Mata had given Chelsea the lead.

Chelsea 4 Napoli 1 (second leg, AET, Chelsea win 5-4 on aggregate) March 14, 2012

Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo helped Chelsea beat the odds to progress to the quarter-finals.

The west Londoners took a first-half lead through Didier Drogba and doubled their advantage two minutes into the second period thanks to a Terry header, which would have been enough to put the home side through on away goals.

The tie turned back Napoli's way after Gokhan Inler netted eight minutes later, although Frank Lampard struck from the spot to force extra-time in which Ivanovic hit a 105th-minute winner.

Quarter-final
Benfica 0 Chelsea 1 (first leg) March 27, 2012

Makeshift Chelsea put one foot in the semi-finals thanks to Kalou's late winner at Benfica.

Kalou slid home Torres' low cross 15 minutes from time after the Blues completely snuffed out their opponents' threat at the Estadio da Luz.

Di Matteo had raised eyebrows with his team selection but resting six players paid off spectacularly in what was mostly an insipid game.

Chelsea 2 Benfica 1 (second leg, Chelsea win 3-1 on aggregate) April 4, 2012

Lampard marked his 550th Chelsea appearance with a penalty midway through the first half after makeshift centre-back Javi Garcia was adjudged to have brought down Ashley Cole.

Referee Damir Skomina was the main talking point of the game, though, as he handed out eight yellow cards, with Maxi Pereira sent off for the visitors for picking up two of them in the first half.

Benfica ensured a nervy ending when Garcia nodded home from close range, although Meireles scored in stoppage time.

Semi-final
Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0 (first leg) April 18, 2012

Drogba's first-half strike gave Chelsea a narrow yet hugely impressive victory. Totally against the run of play Drogba got on the end of Ramires' cross in first-half injury-time and slotted past Victor Valdes.

Alexis Sanchez hit the bar and missed a sitter and Cesc Fabregas had a shot cleared off the line as Chelsea took a battering.

Barcelona 2 Chelsea 2 (second leg, Chelsea win 3-2 on aggregate)

April 24, 2012 Barca deservedly took the lead through Sergio Busquets and things got worse for the Blues less than two minutes later when John Terry was sent off for kneeing Sanchez from behind.

Barca went 2-0 ahead through Andres Iniesta, although Ramires clawed a goal back in first half stoppage. Lionel Messi hit the bar with a penalty and later a post, but Chelsea somehow held out and Torres came off the bench to score late on and cap a memorable night at the Nou Camp.

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