Valencia1 - Chelsea: Taking off Lampard backfires for Villas-Boas

Valencia1

Soldado (87 pen)

Chelsea1

Lampard (56)

Lampard looked to have scored a trademark winner that would have put the visitors in complete command of Group E - but Villas-Boas brought him off for Salomon Kalou with seven minutes remaining and the new man immediately conceded a penalty.

Roberto Soldado scored but there was still time for Anelka to waste a glorious chance to win it in the final minute as Alves once again came out on top in a one-on-one clash.

The game finished with a flurry of yellow cards and Villas-Boas stepped in to calm down his frustrated stars at the final whistle with Chelsea’s frustrations boiling over after what was a missed opportunity.

Afterwards Lampard said he is always desperate to play. The England midfielder had started three of the previous four matches on the bench, with his recall appearing further proof he is now being held back for the big games.

Lampard said: “I always want to play, that’s a given. I’ve been like that throughout my career. I’ve had knocks before in my career. It makes me worker harder to come back.”

Of tonight’s game he added: “The second half had really opened up. Qualification games in the group stage can be slightly bland at times but this was more exciting. You have to find a middle ground of protecting your lead and playing attractive stuff.

“From our point of view it was a good performance although disappointing to lose that lead.”

Valencia: Diego Alves, Miguel, Rami, Victor Ruiz, Jordi Alba, Ever (Jonas 72), Albelda, Pablo (Feghouli 72), Canales, Mathieu (Piatti 59), Soldado. Subs Not Used: Guaita, Bruno, Maduro, Parejo. Booked: Victor Ruiz, Albelda

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires (Meireles 66), Mikel, Lampard (Kalou 83), Malouda, Torres (Anelka 72), Mata. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Romeu, Drogba.

Referee: N Rizzoli (Ita). Att: 23,593.