Chelsea defy Barca to take a point
Mourinho's entertaining tactical battles with Frank Rijkaard continue
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Tuesday, 31, Oct 2006 10:37
Didier Drogba's injury-time equaliser snatched a point for Chelsea as they twice came from behind to secure a memorable 2-2 draw away to Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
With the two sides meeting for the sixth time in 20 months some may have expected a guarded opening from the teams, but Deco's second-minute strike blew away any such predictions.
The coaching staff had barely settled into position when the Portuguese playmaker hit a pile-driver of a shot low past his compatriot Hilario in the Chelsea goal.
Chelsea swiftly recovered from the early blow and Michael Essien and Arjen Robben both went close as the visitors' talented midfield looked to break.
Six minutes after the break they were level as Frank Lampard, who has once again been linked to a move to the Spanish giants in recent weeks, gave confirmation of his talents.
After the ball was chipped back into the box, the England midfielder seemed to have taken the ball too wide to offer any goal threat, but he produced a sublime curling chip to beat Victor Valdes and level the game.
Parity lasted just six minutes and to add insult to injury for Blues boss Jose Mourinho it was Eidur Gudjohnsen, the Icelandic striker who joined the hosts from Stamford Bridge this summer, who put Barca back in front.
Mourinho had claimed in the build-up to the game that his former charge had acquired a habit for diving since arriving in the Catalan city.
But there was no sign of any unsteadiness in the 28-year-old's legs as he latched on to Ronaldinho's cross to slot home on the hour mark.
Chelsea pressed to get back in to the game and with six minutes raised on the added time board, Drogba swivelled to crash home John Terry's neat knock-down to send Blues fans into hysteria.