110% Football

Report

A big game for both teams at the Mestalla, Valencia looking for their first win in their Champions League campaign whereas Chelsea were hoping to extend their lead at the top of the group. A big game also for former Valencia player Juan Manuel Mata who is in the Chelsea line-up for his first game back at his old stomping grounds. 

The game started with Chelsea in full control, the opening minutes of the game Valencia looked really sloppy in everything they did, often needlessly giving away possession in their own half. After three minutes the first chance of the game fell to Chelsea, Torres was played through on goal and looked to have a real goal scoring opportunity but he was taken out by Adil Rami. But the referee on this occasion deemed there was no infringement. 

Just two minutes later it was Chelsea with a chance again, Valencia gave the ball away and that allowed Ramires to break away from the Valencia midfield with his pace and poise, he then was in on the defence cut inside well and was away from the defence until Rami took him out, my first thought was is that a red card, but I think the referee made the correct decision in producing a Yellow Card this time around as Alba was the covering defender.

Then after 20 minutes of not much happening and Valencia creating more of a foothold in the game, a big chance for the home team arrived, a chance for Pablo Hernandez the striker firing in on goal on the run after a fine whipped ball in from Jordi Alba. Valencia were really starting to come into the game and were certainly giving Chelsea something to think about. 

Half time then arrived, with both teams struggling to build up a head of steam and chances really were at a premium, both needed one of their creative players to step up and supply the strikers with more ammunition, as the strikers were becoming to look a little isolated as the game went on. 

Two minutes into the second half and it was Chelsea straight on the attack, Bosingwa did well down the right crossing in towards Torres who got a great header on target but he was denied a goal by an outstanding save from Valencia's stand in stopper Diego Alves. 

The start to the second half was a cracking affair, chances galore for both teams, as almost immediately after the Chelsea chance Valencia broke quickly forward and only a last ditch headed clearance from Luiz prevented Hernandez a goalscoring chance. Then a minute later it was straight up the other end, Chelsea had a couple of chances, the first Ramires charging through on the keeper, but the keeper does well and then a second later it was Torres with another chance, a cross into the box which he took well and got a shot away which the keeper stopped superbly from point blank range, Chelsea were really starting to pepper the Valencia goal and a goal looked inevitable. 

That goal then arrived with 56 minutes on the clock, and it was the man of the moment Frank Lampard, recently left out of England and Chelsea first team line-ups, it really is the kind of goal which rolls back the years, Florent Malouda does well to lay the ball back to Lampard, and he drills the ball home leaving the keeper with no chance at all. He's certainly proved all his doubters wrong with that strike!

Valencia responded in a good manner after that set back however, a through ball is slid through the Chelsea back line and Soldado's in on goal, his first touch pushed him wide though and the chance passes by, a better touch there and it could've been a real chance. Ten minutes later and its Valencia pushing for an equaliser again, a great opportunity this time for Pablo Piatti, a ball chipped in behind which he latches onto and there's only Cech to beat who pulls off a brilliant save to keep Valencia at bay. Chelsea really needed to up their game or risk a Valencia equaliser, Andre Villas Boas then brought on Nicolas Anelka to try stem the tide of Valencia attacks. 

On 75 minutes Valencia came forward again, Feghouli has the first effort a shot from distance that took a slight deflection and Cech held onto it well. Then the second chance, it drops to Piatti but he should have really done better, placed eight yards out he dragged his shot harmlessly wide of the right hand post.

The goal that had been coming for the last half an hour for Valencia finally arrived with five minutes to go, albeit in controversial circumstances, a penalty was given for a handball in the Chelsea area from Salomon Kalou who had literally just walked onto the pitch to replace Frank Lampard, he went to challenge to win a header from a Valencia corner but he lead with his hand and I feel the penalty was the correct decision. The penalty was then confidently dispatched by Valencia's top scorer Roberto Soldado low into the bottom right of the net.

Then two minutes to go Chelsea with a chance to steal the points , Nicolas Anelka is played through on goal, the keeper however stands up well and makes a good save to deny Chelsea yet again tonight, a top display from the Valencia 2nd choice keeper tonight!   

At the end of the day a disappointing result for Chelsea in a game where they could've had 3 or 4 if not for the brilliance of the Valencia keeper. Still I'm sure they will take a point as Valencia's pressure towards the end could have meant the home side nicked all 3 points but all in all I think both teams will be happy to take home a well earned point.  Great game to watch... well the 2nd half at least, I'm sure both of these teams will successfully make it through to the knock-out stages and I look forward to seeing them both!