Chelsea put in a fantastic performance with their backs against the wall on Tuesday, defeating Valencia 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League to not only go through, but finish top of Group E. The Blues would have been out with a loss or a scoring draw, but put in an excellent performance and never looked like they weren't going to win the match.
Chelsea Vs. Valencia, 2011 UEFA Champions League: Full Time, Blues Coast Through To Round Of 16
Didier Drogba netted in the 3rd minute, assisted by Juan Mata, and the game was all but over at that point. Valencia kept the ball well through most of the first half, but failed to break down the Blues and were burned on the counter for the second goal. This time Drogba set it up, holding up the ball and playing a great through ball to Ramires. Victor Ruiz should have been able to clear the ball, but allowed Ramires to run around him and score.
Drogba completed a man of the match performance with his second goal, a brilliant 75th minute finish that sealed the result for Chelsea. Mata provided the assist again, sliding a great through ball past the Valencia defense for Drogba to run onto and chip into the back of the net to seal the victory.
Bayer Leverkusen will join them in the knockout stages after they finished second in Group E. Valencia will to to the UEFA Europa League.
Check out Chelsea FC blog We Ain’t Got No History for more on the Blues. We’ll have coverage of all of the UEFA Champions League matches at SB Nation Soccer. For more from around the world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.
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