Valencia 1 - 1 Chelsea - Match Report
Chelsea threw away the lead to draw 1-1 with Valencia at Mestalla. Frank Lampard put the visitors ahead on the hour mark as he buried a drilled effort from just inside the area. Valencia left it late, but Robert Soldado converted his 6th goal in 7 games from the penalty spot after substitute Salomon Kalou handled in the area. Were it not for the way events unfolded, Chelsea would have been quite happy with a point at the Mestalla, it puts them on a respectable four points from their opening two games. There was a clash of two young European managers in this Champions League qualifier as Unai Emery (39) pitted his wits against Andre Villas Boas (33). All eyes were on Juan Mata though as he travelled with Chelsea to face his former side Valencia at a surprisingly empty Mestalla stadium. After a relatively comfortable win over fellow group E contenders Bayer Leverkusen there were high hopes for Villas-Boas squad, though they had stiff competition Los Che drew 2-2 with Barcelona just a week ago. Chelseas standard 4-3-3 formation was deployed to dispatch Emerys side; the big news was that Frank Lampard current whipping boy for the British press started on the left side of a three man midfield. After finally appearing to recapture his clinical edge at the weekend, Fernando Torres decided to get himself sent off after a pretty horrible challenge on Mark Gower. His domestic ban didnt matter here though he led a 3 man attack with Florent Malouda and Juan Mata. Valencia fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation with Roberto Soldado playing as a lone striker. Chelsea would have to watch out for ver Banega in particular, the midfielder has a habit of making things happen and started as one of two midfielders sitting just in front of the back four. Said back four werent looking particularly strong in the centre Victor Ruiz and Adil Rami had only 9 Valencia appearances between them. Goalkeeper Diego Alves is also a new addition; he made his debut against K.R.C Genk but is currently playing second fiddle to Vicentre Guaita in the league. Sergio Canales is currently on loan from Real Madrid, he started just behind Soldado. Chelsea kicked off and had the first chance two minutes in. Fernando Torres found himself through on goal but took a poor touch and was sent sprawling by Adil Rami. There was no appeal from Torres even though the defender didnt take any of the ball. The hosts shaky start continued as Malouda caused problems with a powerful run; he was dispossessed by Victor Ruiz who almost smacked it into his own net, managing to direct it just wide. Not a good start for the unfamiliar partnership. The corner wasnt held by Diego Alves either; he opted instead for a pathetic punch that luckily for him didnt find a Chelsea player. Some nice football from Valencia Sergio Canales played in Roberto Soldado who executed a lovely return flick to the midfielder. The attacking move petered out when Jérémy Mathieu was dispossessed but it was a creative burst and the first real passing move from the Spaniards. A dubious central defensive display for the hosts continued when Victor Ruiz pulled down Ramires as the Brazilian burst through. He wasnt deemed as the last man in the end though and was lucky to receive a yellow card. From the resulting free kick Frank Lampard fired towards goal but Alves got down to palm it out. Valencias first attempt on goal didnt come until the 20th minute, the overlapping Miguel latched onto a squared Pablo Hernandez pass to unleash a vicious low strike but Frank Lampard managed to get enough on it to deflect into the side netting. They came closer five minutes later Pablo Hernandez beat his man to flick Jordi Albas cross goalwards but the ball skimmed the post before bouncing off the side netting yet again. From such close range Petr Cech would have had no chance - poor defending from the Blues, Valencia were having a lot of joy down the left flank Chelsea were playing a dangerous game as their defence pushed up to catch Soldado offside. The striker was only off by a matter of inches. A moment of individual magic could have put the hosts ahead, Pablo Hernandez teed it up before executing a spinning volley that flew goalwards but was easily held by Cech. A rather cagey start from both teams but an entertaining half of football nevertheless Villas-Boas would never admit it but a point wouldnt actually have been a bad result from this fixture having already secured three against Leverkusen. Fernando Torres gradually increasing performances had come to a grinding halt again as he had done very little of note in the first half. HALF TIME It took five minutes of play in the second half before a spell of nail biting play. First Fernando Torres connected with a Bosingwa cross to head towards Diego Alves goal but the keeper made a fantastic save to deny the striker. The hosts instantly hit back and had a brilliant chance of their own, but just as Soldado was about to head into an open goal after Cech had missed the cross, David Luiz managed to get it clear before the striker connected. Chelsea then hit Valencia on the break after Petr Cech had smothered a fierce Jérémy Mathieu shot. After a fast attacking move Ramires found himself through, he looked to have waited too late but managed to get his shot away anyway, it was inexplicably straight at the legs of Diego Alves though an absolute sitter. Torres was then at his wits end when the keeper continued his one-man defence by pulling off another fantastic save to deny the striker, who connected with Juan Matas cross to create the chance. After a strong spell of play from the visitors Alves was finally beaten, and it was Frank Lampard who hammered home a Florent Malouda cutback to put an end to the keepers heroics. Despite the amount of action it was still just shy of the hour mark. Roberto Soldado was undoubtedly the biggest threat for the hosts and his quick feet enabled him to speed away from Petr Cech, the keeper was floundering in no-mans land, but there was no support for the striker and his cross was eventually cleared. Petr Cech made a Diego Alves-esque save to deny substitute Pablo Piatti, who attempted to fire it into the roof of the net. Although Chelsea could and should have made sure of the result, there was still life in Valencia and the visitors couldnt afford to allow them such chances. Piatti was causing problems, his fresh legs werent matched by the tiring Blues and he flashed a low effort across goal that luckily for the visitors went wide of the far post. Adil Rami then decided that what the hosts really needed was a 40 yard strike from a central defender. In the Frenchmans defence it was on target, but any keeper in the world would have saved it let alone Petr Cech. The end-to-end nature of the game continued as Florent Malouda cut inside and attempted to curl it past Alves, it was a weak effort in the end though and easily held. Substitute Jonas provoked another great save from Cech, after a delightful flick from Canales he shot from the edge of the area that was tipped wide of the post by Cech at full stretch. Newly introduced Salomon Kalous first contribution to the match was to concede a penalty. He was penalised as he led with his arm and punched the ball. Completely needless and the Ivorian picked up a yellow card for his troubles. It was Soldado who stepped up to take it and he sent Petr Cech the wrong way, nestling the ball in the bottom right corner. Valencias eagerness was clear, the striker immediately picked the ball out of the net and ran for the centre circle the game wasnt over yet. It was Chelsea who should have retaken the lead though but once again they were foiled by Diego Alves. Nicolas Anelka was one-on-one with the Brazilian but couldnt beat him as the keepers legs proved a suitable barrier. Juan Matas homecoming was soured after the final whistle had blown as Chelsea surrounded the referee, but there was nothing they could do now two points dropped for Villas-Boas team. Referee:Nicola RizzoliValenica (4-2-3-1): Diego Alves, Miguel, Rami, Ruiz, Mathieu (Piatti, 59), Albelda, Banega (Jonas, 73), Hernandez, Canales, Alba, Soldado Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech, Cole, Terry, David Luiz, Bosingwa, Lampard (Kalou, 83), Mikel, Ramires (Meireles, 66), Malouda, Torres (Anelka, 72), Mata