Late equaliser denies Chelsea chance to clinch qualification
Anelka's goal almost earned Chelsea a vital three points
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Wednesday, 26, Nov 2008 10:32
Chelsea were denied the chance to clinch qualification for the next round of the Champions League after Bordeaux snatched a 1-1 draw in France.
Former Liverpool midfielder Alou Diarra headed home in the 83rd minute to cancel out Nicolas Anelka's second-half goal.
Chelsea finished the match with ten men after Frank Lampard was sent off in the closing minutes for a second bookable offence.
The draw means the Blues slip to second place in Group A behind Roma who beat CFR Cluj 3-1. Luiz Felipe Scolari's side must now beat the Romanians to guarantee themselves a place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Chelsea struggled against an industrious Bordeaux side who were well marshalled by Diarra. Despite creating very few chances it appeared as if the Blues were going to escape with a victory until they conceded from a corner.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech was unusually busy as the French side threatened on numerous occasions in the first half.
The Czech international did well to tip Fernando's shot around the post before Mathieu Chalme tested him from distance.
Bordeaux were dominating territory and possession but could not find a way to get past Chelsea's stoic defence.
Just before half time striker Yoann Gourcuff sent in another long-range effort. Although it was goal-bound Cech still dealt with it relatively easily.
Chelsea then broke the deadlock after 60 minutes on a rare foray deep into the Bordeaux half.
Lampard put Anelka through with an incisive pass and the Frenchman bemused the goalkeeper before calmly chipping it over him into the net.
Anelka's strike looked like it would hand the Blues an unlikely victory until seven minutes from time. Diarra was left unmarked at a corner and he made no mistake, heading home at the near post.
Moments later Lampard belatedly received his marching orders. The referee seemed to forget he had already booked Lampard when brandishing a yellow card for a foul on Fernando.
However, he soon realised his error and sent off the midfielder, meaning Lampard will miss Chelsea's final group game against Cluj.