Chelsea held by Valencia
Drogba's 30th of the season levelled the tie
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Wednesday, 04, Apr 2007 10:44
Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final by a spirited Valencia side at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniards took the lead in the first half as they capitalised on the Blues' misfortune at the other end but a second half fightback kept Chelsea in the tie heading into the second leg.
The Blues were denied a possible penalty after just nine minutes when Roberto Ayala collided with Andriy Shevchenko in the box.
However the referee deemed the challenge not to have been a foul while the Chelsea players screamed for the Argentine to be sent off.
Soon after the incident Salomon Kalou saw his shot rebound back off the Valencia crossbar as the home side continued to press for the opening goal.
But it was Valencia who were to score against the run of play. David Silva shocked the home side as he cut in off the left wing and thundered home an exquisite right-foot shot from 30 yards out that left Petr Cech floundering.
Kalou missed a golden opportunity to level the game at the start of the second half when he failed to connect with Lassana Diarra's cross.
However his blushes were saved soon after as Didier Drogba notched his 30th goal of the season to help the Blues back into the game.
The Ivorian latched on to a long, hopeful ball from Ashley Cole and was able to lift a header over the on-rushing Santiago Canizares in the Valencia goal.
Chelsea looked more comfortable in the second period and enjoyed most of the possession but could not breakdown a stoic Valencia defence that seemed happy to protect their 1-1 draw.
Shevchenko came close with an overhead kick before the end but the tie will enter the second leg next week finely poised at 1-1.