Valencia 1 - 2 Chelsea

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Valencia 1 - 2 Chelsea

2 October, UEFA Champions League, MestallaAvram Grant guided Chelsea to a memorable away victory against Valencia, with Didier Drogba scoring a brilliant second-half winner at the Mestalla.The scoreline mirrors one of Jose Mourinho's most recognised results as Chelsea manager, as the West London side against battled from a goal down to win 1-2. The win is a welcome one for Avram Grant, who came under intense scrutiny from the press after his side's disappointing home draw against West London neighbours Fulham at the weekend.Chelsea captain John terry lead his team to victory, although the defender wore a protective mask to protect the cheekbone injury he suffered at the weekend. Further good news for the team emerged when Ricardo Carvalho was passed fit; the defender missing through injury since the Blues' pre-season tours of America and Europe.The game began at a frantic pace, with Valencia wasting a great opportunity after just forty seconds. David Silva blazed over, signalling Valencia's intent and a long night for the Chelsea rearguard. But despite Chelsea's resistance, Valencia took the lead after nine minutes; David Villa with the goal. The Spaniard latched onto the ball after a cruel ricochet off Michael Essien and confidently slotted home past Petr Cech.Valencia had an excellent chance to increase their lead after twenty minutes, but Joaquin Sanchez's shot was gathered by Cech and cleared by John Terry. Valencia were moving through the gears in their attack, but susceptible to counter-attacks from the Chelsea wide men.Just a minute after Valencia had found themselves in a goal-scoring position, they found themselves pulled back to level terms when Didier Drogba broke away for Chelsea. The Ivorian played a clever reverse pass to Florent Malouda, who crossed low beyond the goalkeeper and into the path of Joe Cole, who slotted home under pressure from Valencia defenders. With twenty one minutes played, the game was shaping up to be a memorable encounter between two excellent teams.Joaquin had yet another opportunity to score Valencia's second. Ricardo Carvalho blocked a loose pass, but the ball deflected off the defender's boot and into the Spaniard's path. The winger went for power rather than placement, and blazed over from a narrow angle when he should have squared the ball.Villa believed he had scored a second with 55 minutes gone, but a correct decision from the linesman had the goal chalked off. Chelsea's bravery was rewarded with twenty minutes remaining as Didier Drogba scored a brilliant goal for his club.Joe Cole's pass found the striker in space, and shrugging off a Valencia defender to get to the ball, he lashed a left-foot drive beyond Timo Hildebrand in the Valencia goal to put Chelsea 1-2 up in the Mestalla; a stadium where only one English team has won - Chelsea Football Club.Despite intense pressure from a Valencia fight back, fantastic devotion from John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho ensured that Chelsea left Spain with three much-needed points and a morale-boosting result which puts the FA Cup holders top of their group in the UEFA Champions League.Valencia: Hildebrand, Miguel, Albiol, Helguera, Moretti, Joaquin (Arizmendi 89), Marchena, Albelda (Baraja 74), Silva, Morientes (Zigic 69), Villa.Subs Not Used: Canizares, Sunny, Angulo, Alexis. Booked: Marchena. Chelsea: Cech, 7 Ferreira, 7, Terry, 6,Carvalho, 6, Ashley Cole, 6, Joe Cole, 7, Makelele, 6, Essien, 6, Mikel, 6, Drogba, 4, Malouda, 7 Subs Used: Alex, 6, Sidwell, 6, Kalou, 7Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Pizarro, Belletti, ShevchenkoBooked: MikelAtt: 51,821 Ref: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).