Chelsea players (L-R), Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard celebrate after their Champions League quarter final soccer match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, April 10, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MADRID, April 10 (Xinhua) -- England's Chelsea defeated Valencia 2-1 on Tuesday, ending the Spanish team's chances of passing to the semifinals of the Champions League, thanks to a last minute goal from Ghana's Michael Essien.

    Valencia played on equal terms against Chelsea in the first half and took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute, but Chelsea then took full control after the break, tied the score 1-1 and won the game with a last-minute goal.

    Although Valencia would have been happy with a 0-0 score, Chelsea did not play for an outright victory, it played direct soccer with dangerous ball maneuvers, especially in the corner kicks.

    Lagging behind 1-0, Chelsea came out for an early equaliser through Ukrainian Andrey Shevchenko in the 51st minute before Essien put an end to Valencia's hopes to pass to the semifinals just when everybody thought the game was over.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]