Chelsea 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
A highly polished performance from Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea enabled them to come out on top over strong opposition in the form of Bayer Leverkusen.
Andre Villas-Boas Chelsea enabled them to come out on top over strong opposition in the form of Bayer Leverkusen. Second half goals from David Luiz and Juan Mata earned the Blues 3 vital points in their opening group game, though the game could have been different had ex-Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack scored an easy chance at the beginning of the second half. A frustrating display from Fernando Torres was eventually capped with two assists. Chelsea welcomed Bayer Leverkusen to Stamford Bridge for their first Champions League group game of the season and were hoping to get three points on the board after a successful but unexceptional start to the domestic campaign. The Blues had never lost at home to a German team, but a strong Leverkusen side were looking to change this, led by ex-Chelsea midfielder Ballack. The main talking point for Chelsea was Andre Villas Boas decision to give Fernando Torres yet another chance; he led a three-pronged attack that also included Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge. Frank Lampard must be getting used to the bench now, he was replaced by Raul Meirelles Chelsea fans may have to get used to the Portuguese midfielder getting the nod over the ageing Lampard. David Luiz was finally fit again, and partnered Branislav Ivanovic in the centre of a four man defence along with Ashley Cole and Bosingwa. A typical industrial German side included not only Michael Ballack, but also Lars Bender and Simon Rolfes who also have a lot of running in them. They certainly lived up to the sides nickname Werkself, or factory squad. There were plenty of attacking options too with Sidney Sam, Stefan Kiessling and Andre Shurrle all in the starting line up - a 4-3-3 formation. Robin Dutts men hadnt come to make up numbers; they were going to be difficult for Chelseas often lacklustre attackers to break down. Fernando Torres almost got the Blues ahead a minute in, Daniel Sturridges cross seemed to have gone behind him but he flicked it back over his head and over the bar by inches. Leverkusen then bundled the ball into the net, it was Simon Rolfes who got the final header from a corner and turned it into the net, but the referee had already blown his whistle. It was a let off for the Blues as the supposed foul by Omer Toprak on Florent Malouda wasnt immediately apparent. Another goal was disallowed seconds later. Juan Mata ran down the right and crossed low to Torres who helped it on with a fancy flick. It went to Raul Meirelles who attempted to back heel it into the net. Although he didnt appear to get a touch, he was standing in an offside position and was flagged by the linesman. Technically the goal should have stood, but the official behind the goal who should have had an ideal view didnt overrule the decision, leaving the whole of Stamford Bridge and the television audience wondering what exactly his job is meant to be. It had been a lively opening five minutes nevertheless. Fernando Torres was cursing his luck again five minutes later. Under a lot of pressure from three Leverkusen defenders, he just managed to get a shot in at goal that was saved by the foot of Bernd Leno. If he was at his best, the Spaniard probably would have got the shot in earlier and it would have been a lot harder to prevent. A clumsy challenge from Raul Meirelles brought Stefan Kiessling crashing to the ground and gave Leverkusen a free kick from a dangerous position just six yards outside the penalty area, but Michael Ballacks free kick flew straight into the head of Branislav Ivanovic. Torres had another chance. He was played in by Florent Malouda but his first touch was terrible, he managed to get the ball under control eventually but Stefan Reinartz had enough time to dispossess him, winning a goal kick at the same time. 
Daniel Sturridge had the best effort of the half. He showed a confidence missing from Torres game by firing a powerful shot away from the left side of the area. It stung Lenos hands but the 19-year-old didnt look too troubled, a great effort by Sturridge nevertheless. He was proving to be Chelseas main attacking threat, and after a quickly taken free kick Sturridge let loose a fantastic swerving effort that ended up going just wide of the left post. The striker had another chance, managing to come across the keeper to connect with Florent Maloudas cross and get a shot on goal from close range, but Leno was equal to it again. After an exciting opening ten minutes the game had died down, and despite some ambitious efforts from Daniel Sturridge, neither side had created that much. They left the field goalless at half time, but could both feel aggrieved not to be on the score sheet with Torres and Rolfes goals looking like they should have stood. HALF TIME David Luiz, having just returned from injury picked up a knock early on in the second half provoking a bizarre Flamingo-like dance from the Brazilian as he tried to remedy it. It seemed to have worked though as he deftly took the ball from the feet of Stefan Kiessling as the striker threatened to run through on goal. Michael Ballack had the best chance of the opening hour as he ran through the Chelsea defence and was found by Sam. He found himself with just Petr Cech to beat but blasted it straight into the keepers feet. A poor effort from Ballack against his former employers. The Bayer Leverkusen threat was growing and it took a cynical David Luiz foul to prevent Andre Schurrle from creating a chance. The defender picked up a caution for his troubles. Schurrle had a real chance moments later, he was played through by Kiessling but Cech did enough to save another one-on-one. Two good chances for Leverkusen, and more then Chelsea had created in the second half. They finally had a shot on goal, Ashley Coles cross found Sturridge who jumped up to volley it downwards and towards goal. However, Leno pulled off a fantastic save, just about managing to tip it onto the post after diving almost the whole length of the goal. The Blues best chance yet. Michael Ballack was treated to a standing ovation as he left the field. The Chelsea faithful hadnt yet had the chance to say farewell to the midfielder but there was applause all round as he was replaced by Renato Augusto. Chelsea took the lead in the 67th minute from an unlikely source. David Luiz showed Fernando Torres how to finish. A great goal from the Brazilian, he ran forward before playing it to Cole who crossed to Torres. The striker then laid it off to Luiz who hit it hard and low right into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. A fanastic finish from the defender. A mistake from Toprak gifted Anelka possession; he crossed low to Torres who couldnt get on the end of it. Juan Mata followed this up with a curling effort that was well held by Leno. The ex-Valencia man had another chance moments later. His shot seemed to be heading for the roof of the net but Leno managed to deflect it over with an outstretched arm. Frank Lampards first real contribution was a powerfully struck effort that was well held by Leno. The Leverkusen keeper had hardly put a foot wrong all game. Another goal was wrongfully chalked off in the last ten minutes as Nicolas Anelka headed home a Juan Mata cross. Ashley Cole was penalised for offside but he wasnt even close. Fernando Torres then made the third goal, a fantastic one-two with Malouda sent him free down the right and he flicked it past Toprak before unselfishly squaring it to compatriot Juan Mata who passed it into the empty net. A second assist of the game for Torres, and the icing on the cake for Chelsea. It was the last kick of the game, and Stephane Lannoys whistle signalled the end of the game. A good result for Chelsea, they controlled the game apart from a short spell in the second half and deserved their win. Referee: Stephane Lannoy Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Luiz (Alex, 76), Cole, Mikel, Malouda, Meirelles (Lampard, 65), Sturridge (Anelka, 65) Mata, Torres Leverkusen (4-3-3): Leno, Castro, Reinartz, Toprak, Kadlec, Rolfes, Bender (Balitsch, 80),` Ballack (Augusto, 66), Sam (Derdiyok, 73), Kiessling, Shurrle