Chelsea held at home to Valencia
Lampard was one of several denied by Canizares
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Tuesday, 11, Dec 2007 10:50
Chelsea played out a 0-0 draw against Valencia in their final Champions League group game having already secured top spot and a place in the last 16.
The Blues came close to victory with Claudio Pizarro, Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou all rattling the woodwork, but Ronald Koeman's side managed to hang on for a fortunate point.
Santiago Canizares was in superb form for the visitors and he was called into action straight from the start.
The goalkeeper was alert to smother an effort from Andriy Shevchenko after three minutes before a piledriver from Frank Lampard soon after produced a spectacular one-handed tip round the post.
At the other end Petr Cech was far less busy, but maintained his concentration well to block a shot from David Villa after neat build-up play from David Silva.
After the interval the Chelsea onslaught continued with Pizarro fluffing a fine opening and Kalou scooping the ball onto the bar when it seemed easier to score.
Despite the match being more or less meaningless for their side, the crowd grew increasingly restless over the lack of a breakthrough as the attacks continued to flood in towards the Spaniard's goal.
Pizarro continued to toil honestly but the Peru forward rarely looked confident in front of goal as his miserable evening continued with Canizares palming away a weak snap-shot.
Joe Cole's late free-kick left the stopper stranded but the post again came to Valencia's rescue as his swerving effort rebounded well clear.