Ba winner sees Blues clinch top spot

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Demba Ba netted an early winning goal as Chelsea overcame Steaua Bucharest in a low-key affair at Stamford Bridge.

Just ten minutes had been played when the Senegalese pounced from close range; converting Oscar's headed flick across goal from a front-post corner, to ensure that the Blues top Group E - guaranteeing a supposedly more favourable tie in the first knock-out round.

In what is as far away as possible from what constitutes a footballing spectacle, the major positive from this dour game is the very fact that José Mourinho's men will now face any of Galatasaray, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos, AC Milan or Zenit St. Petersburg, as opposed to the might of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona in the round of 16.

After defeat to Basel last time around, despite having already clinched qualification, Mourinho's side knew they had to win to guarantee first position in the group - but results elsewhere meant this game, ultimately, had very little meaning other than serving as something of a confidence-booster after Saturday's shock reverse at Stoke.

There was justification, also, in the selection of Ba - the Senegalese striker's third of the season was hardly the most beautiful of game-clinching moments as Oscar's cross was bundled in off the former Newcastle man's knee, but this winner will no doubt give the burly forward confidence as the festive season continues.

Next up for Chelsea is Crystal Palace at the Bridge on Saturday; a game Mourinho will most likely have had one eye on considering his decision to rest recent regulars Juan Mata, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ramires. Notably, after Petr Cech's howler at the weekend, it perhaps came as no surprise to see Mark Schwarzer start just his third game for the Blues, with the veteran Australian duly recording a third successive shut-out.

Gary Cahill, meanwhile, paid the price for his recent poor form as he was replaced at the back by David Luiz, who was returning from a prolonged absence through injury, whilst Ashley Cole made his long-awaited return to the first-team after a seven-game absence.

The game was a dour affair - though the Blues began at a decent pace, there was very little energy demonstrated throughout. With a run of two games each week running through until mid-January, it is no surprise that Mourinho's men played within themselves here, then.

Indeed, Chelsea operated in no higher than second gear, and yet whilst 1-0 would suggest the game was a close affair, glaring misses from Branislav Ivanovic, Eden Hazard and Ba, coupled with an incorrect offside decision as Ba seemed to have smacked home his second of the game late on, ensured that Steaua - who now have set the UEFA Champions League for the most matches without a win (23) - can emerge from the game having not received the hiding so many predicted.

Chelsea did all they needed to do without stretching themselves - a hallmark of the professional that is José Mourinho. "Satisfactory" just about sums up this night's work, but after a run of consistent inconsistency, it is perhaps, then, a minute concern that the Blues were unable just to crank the pace up a touch and secure a more emphatic margin of victory.

That margin of victory could have been extended had so many wonderful chances not been taken - the first guilty party was Branislav Ivanovic as his header from Hazard's glorious cross was well-saved, before early in the second half the Belgian himself wasted a glorious headed chance.

Ba then saw the ball cannon over off of his shins from Willian's exquisite pull-back, before seeing a second goal chalked off for a marginal offside call. Despite the emphatic finish, replays indicated Ba was mere inches the wrong side of the centre-back - it's a case of, as the attacking side, you'd demand the advantage to be played to the striker, and as the defensive unit you'd be pleased with such an eagle-eyed decision. The truth, therefore, was that had they wished to have gone through the gears, Chelsea could quite easily have beaten Steaua into submission.

Yet the one major disappointment was the exclusion of young Kevin de Bruyne from the outset. The talented Belgian has found first-team opportunities limited this season, and once again he was relegated to mere cameo status as he came on for the last 14 minutes. With rumours circulating of an imminent exit, many Blues fans will hope the man regarded Belgium's most influential player will be granted more game-time, especially with cup fixtures against Sunderland and Derby County to look forward to over the next three weeks.

Elsewhere, Arsenal succumbed to defeat in Naples against Rafa Benitez's side, meaning that they will play one of Europe's heavyweights in the next round. Despite an impressive result at the Allianz last night, Manchester City share the same fate for failing to top their group, whilst David Moyes' Manchester United - as fellow group winners - will share the same sense of satisfaction with the European campaign thus far when the draw for the first knock-out round is made on Monday.

Manchester United will play either:

Galatasaray, Olympiakos, Schalke, Zenit St Petersburg or Milan

Chelsea will play either:

Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Olympiakos, Zenit St Petersburg or Milan

Manchester City will play either:

Real Madrid, PSG, Dortmund, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona

Arsenal will play either:

Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona

[Fulham Broadway 17,312]

Good write up Alex.

Pellegrini took his striker off with 5 mins to go-seemingly not realising that 4-2 would see them top the group. Fuckwit is paid, what, 5 million a year ? Serve them right if they go out to Barca first knockout games

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Haha, City are an embarrassment. If they'd have gone for it they could be playing Olympiakos, instead they'll get Barcelona.

[Barbara 15,149]

Good read, Lex - as always

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Thanks B!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

City and Arsenal are so screwed!

The way the groups panned out really suits us. But we should really try to get our next opponents to sign that Georgievski guy. He was probably our best player in the CL this season!

[Special Juan 28,141]

Can see City getting through more than Arsenal, City have another gear for me, and seen the other night they are quite capable of beating the best.

[bushman 2,043]

Citeh are capable to beat the best on any given day. However, their lack of experience will be their downfall, I feel.

I love to see the goons being hammered by anybody. Chelsea to go through & unfortunately even Manures might get lucky again.

[Strike 7,489]

Bad write up. Bring BlueLion back

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Bad write up. Bring BlueLion back

That guy's MRs were too long, you got bored half-way through