Ba’s early goal enough to see off Steaua

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Chelsea 1 Steaua Bucharest 0

Demba Ba’s early goal secured victory for Chelsea as they finished top of their Champions League group.

Willian’s right-wing corner was headed on by Oscar and with Ba lurking, an under-pressure Daniel Georgievski appeared to knock the ball into his own net before replays showed that the Chelsea striker got the final touch.

Already through to the knockout stage and knowing three points would guarantee they progressed as Group E winners – potentially giving them a more favourable draw – the Blues had made a strong start.

David Luiz miscued after being found unmarked by Willian’s corner and the fit-again Oscar fired wide from the edge of the penalty area before Ba’s 10th-minute opener.

Luiz, who has been nursing a knee problem, was recalled to the side along with Ashley Cole – the duo’s first appearances since the defeat at Newcastle on 2 November.

Steaua Bucharest should have equalised when Gabriel Iancu sneaked in behind John Terry and had only keeper Mark Schwarzer to beat but dragged his shot horribly wide.

But Chelsea were dominant and would have scored again before the break had keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu not produced a reflex save to tip over Branislav Ivanovic’s close-range header from Eden Hazard’s cross.

Ba squandered a great chance to double the lead early in the second half when he spooned a shot over after being teed up by Willian’s low cross.

And Hazard missed a sitter too, heading over from eight yards out following good work on the left by substitute Andre Schurrle.

Ba did find the net with three minutes remaining but was adjudged to be offside as he collected Frank Lampard’s pass.

Chelsea: Schwarzer; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel (Ramires 74, Lampard; Willian (De Bruyne 79), Oscar (Schurrle 66), Hazard; Ba.
Subs not used: Cech, Cahill, Mata, Torres.

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