Latest: Chelsea 1 Steaua Bucharest 0

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Chelsea are on course to finish top of Group E after Demba Ba’s 10th-minute goal at Stamford Bridge.

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 Champions League knockout stage and knowing a victory would guarantee they progress as group winners, 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 the opener.

Luiz, who has been nursing a knee problem, was recalled to the side along with Ashley Cole – the duo’s first appearance 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 have been 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.

And Ba missed 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.

Chelsea: Schwarzer; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Ba.
Subs: Cech, Cahill, Ramires, De Bruyne, Mata, Schurrle, Torres.

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