Chelsea progressed into the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League with 2-0 win over Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge.
The surprisingly comfortable result gave Mourinho’s side a 3-1 aggregate win over the Turkish champions.
Contrary to what they have experienced much of this season, Chelsea fans saw their side control the game from start to finish, on an evening that was expected to be a lot more stressful.
Samuel Eto’o, like Fernando Torres in Istanbul, gave Chelsea an early lead as he latched onto Oscar’s through-ball to squeeze the ball past Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
It was the Cameroonian striker’s 30th Champions League goal of his career and he also seems to becoming the man to lead the Chelsea line towards the end of the season over Fernando Torres or Demba Ba.
Galatasaray offered little threat and the game became a surprise for Chelsea fans as the Turkish champions failed to organise their defence and gave very little in attack.
Gary Cahill scored his first goal in fifteen months from a corner following a save from John Terry’s header. The 42nd minute strike all but ended the game as a contest as the Turks now needed 2 away goals to progress.
Didier Drogba’s fairytale return to Stamford Bridge was almost topped off in the perfect way as the Ivorian went close from a set-piece in the dying embers of the game, but it wasn’t to be as his former side continued their ‘Road to Lisbon’.
The Ivorian was presented to the Chelsea fans during pre-match warm ups and recieved a ‘silver boot’ plaque to celebrate his achievements during his 8 years at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea lined up with Frank Lampard alongside Ramires in the ‘pivot’ due to the ansence of Nemanja Matic, and the Englishman rolled back the years with a commanding performance that was only missing a goal to top it off.
Mourinho also lined up with his standard trio behind the striker and Eden Hazard inparticular put in a dazzling display to help his side to an easy victory that sees them into the hat for the last-8 of the competition.
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you who lined up in the Chelsea defence and the Premier League’s best back line kept yet another clean sheet to keep their Champions League ‘conceded’ comlumn to just 4.
On his 100th Champions League appearence, Petr Cech did not have a save to make as Galatasaray failed to register a shot on target.
Chelsea showed the ‘bounce-back-ability’ that was much needed following the horror show at Villa Park on Saturday to win tonight’s clash that sees them remain in contention for the two biggest competitions.
Jose Mourinho, who blamed his sides defeat on Saturday on referee Chris Foy, was a lot happier this evening:
“A very good performance. Very solid. Very compact. No fears. The team were very confident and in control for the full 90 minutes.”
Mourinho’s men go into the draw for the next round with European giants such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, and as it stands, are the only English club to reach this stage in the competition.
Chelsea beat teams including Napoli, Benfica, Barcelona and of course Bayern Munich on route to winning the trophy in Munich 2 years ago and it appears an even more treacherous route would have to be weaved through in order to give Mourinho his thierd Champions League honour with a different team.
Chelsea’s next game is once again at home and is ranked up in importance following the defeat to Villa on Saturday – the Blues host Arsenal in Saturday’s lunch time kick-off.
By then, Chelsea fans will know who they are taking on in the quarter finals of the Champions League; the draw is made on Friday.
Chelsea 2-0 Galatasaray: Post-match facts
- Since drawing 4-4 with Liverpool in 2009, Chelsea have conceded only five goals in eight CL knockout games at home
- Samuel Eto’o is only the 14th player to reach 30 goals in the Champions League
- All 10 of Samuel Eto’o’s goals for Chelsea have been scored at Stamford Bridge
- It was a fiery game tonight, with both sides conceding 20 fouls each
Despite Samuel Eto’o taking centre stage tonight, my MOTM award goes to the very much overlooked Frank Lampard.
Who was your Man of the Match? Comment below.
