Sober Chelsea ease to victory over Steaua Bucharest
The Blues did just enough to confirm top spot in group E
From the adrenaline-fuelled world of the Premier League Chelsea eased to first place in their Champions League group with a sober 1-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday.
Demba Ba bundled home the 11th-minute winner that confirmed first place in group E and while the match will not live long in the memory at least Chelsea avoided any defensive hiccups after conceding six times in their previous two domestic matches.
Reserve goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was a spectator for most of the match and England left back Ashley Cole, given his first start in more than a month after losing his place to Cesar Azpilicueta, played on cruise control.
We did enough to win without any difficult moments ... We didn’t need to risk, or do silly things
It was very much a case of job done for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who said it was not a night for “silly mistakes” which, in theory could have left his side finishing runners-up and facing a last-16 clash against one of the big guns.
“It was not a fantastic performance, but a comfortable performance, but it was enough,” said Mourinho, who rested the likes of Fernando Torres, Gary Cahill and Ramires.
“We did enough to win without any difficult moments. In the second half, we knew Schalke were winning 2-0 so we knew only one point was enough for us.
“We didn’t need to risk, or do silly things.”
Mourinho, who had a green laser-pen directed towards him during the second half, gave Ba a rare start and the former Newcastle United and West Ham United striker made his mark, although perhaps should have made a bigger one.