Sensational Drogba inspires Chelsea
Didier Drogba's goal separated the two sides
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Wednesday, 18, Oct 2006 09:54
Didier Drogba's superb strike just after half time gave Chelsea a 1-0 Champions League win over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
The second half was immediately lit up by Drogba's goal as the European champions were caught cold on the edge of their area.
Ashley Cole had crossed from the left and the Ivorian's neat turn wrong-footed the defence and Victor Valdes was powerless to prevent his right foot shot rocketing into the net from 18 yards out.
The Blues had the best chance of the first-half when Andriy Shevchenko attempted to follow up Drogba's blocked shot on the line, but Barca defender Rafael Marquez's last-ditch tackle put the ball out for a corner.
Michael Essien stood out in a midfield quartet of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele, managing to largely overshadow Barcelona's many star players.
Valdes was the busier of the two keepers making saves from Essien, Shevchenko midway through the half, and from substitute Arjen Robben late on.
Barcelona were mostly limited to free kicks but Henrique Hilario, standing in for the injured Petr Cech, made good saves from Leo Messi and Deco in the last ten minutes of the first-half.
Chelsea lead group A after three straight wins, but Barcelona are in real danger of failing to qualify after gaining just four points at the halfway stage.