Match Preview: Chelsea vs Benfica

Chelsea are crowned with Europa league title as the final match at Amsterdam looked to be heading for extra time after from offered to Benfica had leveled up Fernando Torres’s second half goal, but with stoppage time underway Branislav Ivanovic headed headed into the top corner of the net. The first half was quite taking the side of Benfica who had failed to create remarkable chance, but they had created a huge pressure on the blue defenders. 

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard came closest to scoring just before the interval which was puched by Benfica goalkeeper Artur to finish the first half with no goals. Just after the interval Benfica superstar striker Oscar Cardozo came with some potential into the Chelsea box but Petr Cech was able to handle the striker easily. Fifteen minutes after the interval Petr Cech served a great pass to the Chelsea striker Fernando Torres , who passed away the goalkeeper and put it into the net with great finishing. 

But Chelsea’s lead at Amsterdam Arena only last that long before Azpilicueta punched the ball with his hand inside the box to give them golden opportunity of equalizer. Benfica took lead after a beautifully taken penalty kick from Oscar Cardozo. As the game looked to be headed for extra time Chelsea got corner at the 92^nd minute, and with no mistake Ivanovic decided the match from Juan Mata’s corner.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Cole; David Luiz, Lampard(c); Ramires, Mata, Oscar; Torres.

Scorer: Torres 59’, Ivanovic 90+2’

Booked: Oscar 13’

Benfica (4-1-3-2): Artur; Almeida, Luisao(c) , Garray(Jardel 77), Melgarejo(John 65); Matic; Salvio, Rodrigo(Lima 65), Perez;  Cardozo, Galtan;

Scorer: Cardozo 67’ pen

Booked: Garray 45’, Luisao 61’

Refree: Bjorn Kuipers from the Netherland

Crowd: 46,163

Players Rating: Chelsea vs Benfica

Petr Cech: 8

One fabulous fingertip save to deny Oscar Cardozo and made a couple of other decent stops. His distribution was superb too and led to numerous promising breaks – and Fernando Torres’ opener.

Cesar Azpilicueta: 6

Often left outnumbered on the right flank but did pretty well given the circumstances. But was at fault for the penalty when he raised his hands in the area.

Gary Cahill: 7

Magnificent double defensive intervention in injury time rescued his defensive partner and ensured victory. Made several crucial blocks and refused to panic when Chelsea were under pressure.

Branislav Ivanovic: 7

Awesome headed winner and his heart, commitment and bravery are never in doubt. Was guilty of some sloppy passing from the back and his last-gasp winner was nearly overshadowed by an even more last-gasp defensive howler. But what a header.

Ashley Cole: 7

Experienced display from the England defender. Like his fellow full-back he was often up against it because of the narrow system, but had slightly more defensive cover and seemed more in control.

David Luiz: 8

Did all the ugly stuff brilliantly and was key to Chelsea’s second-half revival. Won his tackles, used the ball well and provided inspiration when it was most needed.

Frank Lampard: 8

So close to two goals with a vicious swerving first-half strike and a stunning shot that crashed off the bar just before Ivanovic’s winner. Got through an incredible amount of running and now looks certain to be staying at the Bridge.

Ramires: 6

Phenomenal workrate once again but his quality was missing on too many occasions. Still a vital cog in the midfield and provided a threat and outlet throughout. His relentless running forced the corner for the winner.

Oscar: 6

Too many misplaced passes, but like his fellow Brazilian Ramires, he covers a tremendous amount of ground and never stopped running.

Juan Mata: 6

Quiet but his class is always evident. Unable to pick the killer pass when he got in good positions but became increasingly effective as the game wore on. Played an important role for the team when they were under pressure, to round off a sensational season.

Fernando Torres: 8

The man for the big occasion. Took his goal with all the swagger of a world-class forward and did a fine job leading the line all night. Occupied Benfica’s defence from the first minute even though he had limited opportunities.

Match Pointer: Chelsea vs Aston Villa

• Chelsea have won on two of their last four Premier League trips to Villa Park, dropping points with a draw and a defeat in the other two.

• However, Aston Villa's home record recently has been disappointing; they have won a meagre three times over their last 11 home matches in the league, losing six and drawing two.

• More cause for concern for Paul Lambert's men comes in the fact that Chelsea inflicted Aston Villa’s biggest ever Premier League defeat when the two teams met just before Christmas, cantering to an 8-0 win (incidentally, this was also the last time Fernando Torres scored in the Premier League).

• Christian Benteke (pictured right), in stark contrast to Torres, has had no problem finding the net in the league, scoring 13 Premier League goals since the turn of the year - more than anyone else in 2013.

• Chelsea have scored more headed goals than anyone else in the league this season; Oscar's header against Tottenham was their sixteenth of the campaign.

• The Blues have also scored the opening goal in more league games than any other side in the league, having broken the deadlock a total of 24 times over the course of the season.

Chelsea Player Rating: Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham

The late goal from Tottenham put their hope still alive for the qualification of Champions League while Chelsea is still on third with three points ahead of the spurs. Chelsea took the lead at the first half with the easy goal Oscar. Ivanovic’s header found the Brazilian at the back post and a sample tap in to give Chelsea the lead. After the lead of few minutes Adebayor curls in an absolute beauty into the top corner to level with Chelsea. It was a super strike from the Tottenham player. After ten minutes the Spurs were leveled with the Blues, Blues again took the lead at their side after a superb first time finish from another Brazilian, Ramires. And before the half time no team had made any remarkable to make the lead or to get leveled. Just after the 25^th minute of half time Spurs again leveled with the Blues to distribute one points to each. Tottenham are now fifth with two games remaining with Stoke away to come on Saturday. They also welcome Sunderland on the final day. Arsenal has Wigan at home and Newcastle away while Chelsea faces Aston Villa away and Everton at Home.

Petr Cech: ❻ He could do a little about both of Tottenham’s goal and looked pretty solid throughout.

Cesar Azpilicueta: ❽ Did a superb job in keeping Gareth Bale quiet.

Branislav Ivanovic: ❻ Guilty of backing of Adebayor to allow spurs in.

Gary Cahill: ❻ Helped the ball on to Oscar for Chelsea Opener. But was also guilty of backing of Adebayor.

Ashley Cole: ❻ Quiet game for England left back.

David Luiz: ❽ An inspired choice in Centre midfield. Kept Lewis Holtby relatively quiet and excelled going forward.

Ramires: ❽ Timed run for second goal to perfection.

Oscar:  ❽ Showing great poaching ability to head Chelsea ahead.

Eden Hazard: ❽ Had been superb throughout the game. Always busy in creating chances.

Juan Mata: ❼ Kept play flowing up top.Should gave hit the target on certain occasion, but he couldn’t.

Fernando Torres: ❼ Never much of goal threat but played the channel well and setup Ramires for goal.

Chelsea vs Tottenahm match preview

Victory for Chelsea in the upcoming match will effectively guarantee the Blues for the Champions League qualifications because of their superior goal difference. It would also give Blue sides and option to take rest to remain fresh for the Europa League final against Benfica. But if Spurs can claim their first win at Stamford Bridge since 1990 then they can secure their position in the top four leaving behind North London rivals Arsenal. It would also enable Andre Villas Boas to get one over the club who sacked him 14 months ago, but the Portuguese manager insists that he is not in the mood of revenge. “I’m not sure if enough time has passed for me to feel anything, I was just another manager that passed by, said Villas-Boas.

“It would be excellent if we got three points there but at the moment it means nothing. It’s just another opponent in your quest to try to get the nine points that we have played for” .While Andre Villas-Boas has been avoiding discussing over the past. Chelsea’s interim boss Rafael Benitez has sidestepped questions about his future, and instead urged his team to focus on the task at hand. “Now we play against Tottenham and we are on the driving seat,” the Spaniard said after the victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

Match Facts

·        Chelsea are unbeaten at their home in the last twenty two meeting with Tottenham Hotspurs

·        Spurs last win at Stamford Bridge  was in February 1990 when Gary Lineker and David Howells got the goals in a 2-1 victory

·        Chelsea are chasing the seventh successive home Premier League win.

·        Juan Mata has scored three times in his last two games against Tottenham.

·        Frank Lampard is one short of equaling Bobby Tambling’s record of 202 goals for Chelsea.

·        Gareth Bale has scored 11 goals in his last 11 appearance, netting in each of his last four games.

·        Tottenham is not awarded with any penalty this season.

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