Chelsea have made it back to back European titles, producing an excellent second half performance against Portuguese giants Benfica to beat them 2-1 to end their season long wait for silverware. In what was clearly a tale of two halves, Benfica battered Chelsea in the first, but failed to make their superiority count in the only place that matters, on the scoresheet.
Chelsea played much better in the second half and went ahead through a Fernando Torres goal on the hour mark, but the Blues' lead lasted only 9 minutes with Oscar Cardozo drawing Benfica level from the penalty spot after Cesar Azpilicueta was adjudged to having handled the ball in the box. The game appeared to be headed for extra time for all money, before Ramires, who was deployed in a wide right position in this game due to the absence of the hamstrung Eden Hazard won his side a late corner.
The ball was whipped in towards the far post where Serbian player of the Year, Branislav Ivanovic rose highest after losing his marker to plant a looping header into the far corner to send the Chelsea fans into delirium.
It was an incredible turnaround for Ivanovic, who missed last year's Champions League final due to what many believed was an exceptionally harsh suspension.
There was still time for Benfica to fashion a late chance, but Cardozo's stab at the ball after an error at the back from Ivanovic was blocked by a mixture of Gary Cahill and Petr Cech.
Earlier in the day, Benfica were forced to cut short their celebrations when Cardozo's effort was ruled out for an incredibly debatable offside decision, with perhaps a fraction of the striker's upper body ahead of the Chelsea backline.
The Blues too had every reason to wonder if the Gods were against them when they saw a late drive from Captain for the Day, Frank Lampard, smash back into play off the woodwork. Lampard may not have been much of a presence in the game, but had two terrific chances to impact it in his own inimitable style, seeing a swerving effort tipped over the bar by Benfica keeper Artur, whose body weight was going the opposite way.
The win for Chelsea ends their season long wait for glory, having competed in an phenomenal 69 games up to today in 8 competitions, none of which they had won thus far.
It is also a huge vindication for former Valencia and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, tagged as the 'Interim Manager' of Chelsea who has delivered them a title and a place in the Champions League next season, despite having come in for massive criticism and at times even hatred from some sections of the Chelsea fans.
Teams:
Benfica: Artur Moraes, Almeida, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo, Perez, Matic, Rodrigo, Gaitan, Cardozo, Salvio. Subs: Paulo Lopes, Aimar, Lima, John, Urreta, Jardel, Gomes.
Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Lampard, Luiz, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Mikel, Moses, Ferreira, Marin, Benayoun, Ake.
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