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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona | Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Didier Drogba's brilliant winner saw Chelsea take a giant stride toward the Champions League knockout stage and defeat holders Barcelona. | Didier Drogba's brilliant winner saw Chelsea take a giant stride toward the Champions League knockout stage and defeat holders Barcelona. |
| Drogba struck on the turn seconds after half-time to give Jose Mourinho's side a thoroughly deserved win and make it three straight victories in the group. | Drogba struck on the turn seconds after half-time to give Jose Mourinho's side a thoroughly deserved win and make it three straight victories in the group. |
| Chelsea were without keepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini through injury, but third-choice Hilario was faultless. | Chelsea were without keepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini through injury, but third-choice Hilario was faultless. |
| And Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko wasted chances to double Chelsea's lead. | And Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko wasted chances to double Chelsea's lead. |
| With Cech out with a fractured skull and Cudicini also missing because of concussion, it was feared Barcelona may take advantage, but they were kept at arm's length by Chelsea, with Michael Essien outstanding. | With Cech out with a fractured skull and Cudicini also missing because of concussion, it was feared Barcelona may take advantage, but they were kept at arm's length by Chelsea, with Michael Essien outstanding. |
| Barcelona carved out the first serious chance after 13 minutes when a pass from Deco set up Gianluca Zambrotta, but he blazed wide. | Barcelona carved out the first serious chance after 13 minutes when a pass from Deco set up Gianluca Zambrotta, but he blazed wide. |
| 606 VIEW Drogba's goal was kind of lucky but Chelsea looked the better side KA 606: Have your say | 606 VIEW Drogba's goal was kind of lucky but Chelsea looked the better side KA 606: Have your say |
| But Chelsea responded three minutes later, and it took a brilliant piece of last-ditch defending from Rafael Marquez to halt Andriy Shevchenko when he closed in on Drogba's shot as it ran loose in the box. | But Chelsea responded three minutes later, and it took a brilliant piece of last-ditch defending from Rafael Marquez to halt Andriy Shevchenko when he closed in on Drogba's shot as it ran loose in the box. |
| Hilario distinguished himself in the opening half, saving well from Lionel Messi and then Xavi after a superb passing move. | Hilario distinguished himself in the opening half, saving well from Lionel Messi and then Xavi after a superb passing move. |
| But Mourinho's side were always a threat, and Michael Ballack should have done better than head straight at Victor Valdes from Frank Lampard's corner a minute before half-time. | But Mourinho's side were always a threat, and Michael Ballack should have done better than head straight at Victor Valdes from Frank Lampard's corner a minute before half-time. |
| Chelsea broke the deadlock seconds after the break with a stunning strike from in-form Drogba. | Chelsea broke the deadlock seconds after the break with a stunning strike from in-form Drogba. |
| He initially appeared to miscontrol Ashley Cole's pass, but recovered and swivelled to lash a 20-yard finish with his right foot past Valdes. | He initially appeared to miscontrol Ashley Cole's pass, but recovered and swivelled to lash a 20-yard finish with his right foot past Valdes. |
| It was a goal the bore a remarkable similarity to his winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge earlier this season | It was a goal the bore a remarkable similarity to his winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge earlier this season |
| Drogba's strike partner Shevchenko was, in contrast, still struggling in front of goal. | Drogba's strike partner Shevchenko was, in contrast, still struggling in front of goal. |
| And he wasted an opportunity to extend Chelsea's lead after 54 minutes when he shot wide from 10 yards after being played into space by Lampard. | And he wasted an opportunity to extend Chelsea's lead after 54 minutes when he shot wide from 10 yards after being played into space by Lampard. |
| Chelsea needed the security of a second goal to guard against a potential moment of magic from Ronaldinho. | Chelsea needed the security of a second goal to guard against a potential moment of magic from Ronaldinho. |
| But they missed another chance to push themselves out of reach when Drogba shot straight at Valdes with only the keeper to beat from close range. | But they missed another chance to push themselves out of reach when Drogba shot straight at Valdes with only the keeper to beat from close range. |
| Shevchenko had endured another night of frustration, and it was no surprise when he was replaced with Arjen Robben with 15 minutes left. | Shevchenko had endured another night of frustration, and it was no surprise when he was replaced with Arjen Robben with 15 minutes left. |
| Barcelona were enjoying plenty of possession, but chances were at a premium as Chelsea defended with typical resolution. | Barcelona were enjoying plenty of possession, but chances were at a premium as Chelsea defended with typical resolution. |
| Hilario was sound, and when Xavi found Lionel Messi in the box he headed off target. | Hilario was sound, and when Xavi found Lionel Messi in the box he headed off target. |
| And he brought cheers from the crowd two minutes from time when he plunged low to save from Deco. | And he brought cheers from the crowd two minutes from time when he plunged low to save from Deco. |
| It was their final chance and Chelsea were able to celebrate a victory of real significance. | It was their final chance and Chelsea were able to celebrate a victory of real significance. |
| Chelsea: Hilario, Boulahrouz, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Lampard, Makelele, Essien, Shevchenko (Robben 76), Drogba (Kalou 90). Subs Not Used: Makaba-Makalamby, Joe Cole, Geremi, Bridge, Paulo Ferreira. | |
| Booked: Lampard. | |
| Goals: Drogba 46. | |
| Barcelona: Valdes, Marquez, Puyol (Oleguer 74), Zambrotta, Van Bronckhorst (Iniesta 56), Messi, Deco, Xavi, Edmilson, Gudjohnsen (Giuly 60), Ronaldinho. Subs Not Used: Jorquera, Motta, Thuram, Saviola. | |
| Booked: Van Bronckhorst, Xavi, Deco. | |
| Att: 45,999 | |
| Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium). |