Chelsea stand a chance to win back to back European titles if they beat Benfica on Wednesday evening. Chelsea beat Basle FC enroute to the final.
Chelsea also ensured that will compete in the UEFA Champs League competition next season after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa on Saturday. Frank Lampard scored his 202nd goal equaling Bobby Tambling club record and then beating it by scoring his 203rd goal beating a resolute Villa.
During the same game Terry and Hazard were injured and Chelsea will wait till Wednesday to announce if either player will be fit to play in the final.
Who is your final 11 to start the game…let us know? @chelseasouthafri or @ChelseaFC_SA on our twitter pages.
Chelsea faces old manager Villas-Boas tonight in his first return to Stamford Bridge since he was sacked several months ago.
Chelsea will solidify their 3rd position if they win tonight against a Spurs team who has not won at the Bridge for over 20 years. Spurs are 3 points behind Chelsea in 5th, with Arsenal 4th on 67 points with Chelsea currently on 68 points.
Rumours are still lingering that Mourinho will come to Chelsea in the off season however, other rumours has circulated in the British Press that Sir Alex Ferguson might retire at Man Utd and that Mourinho is also interested in that job.
Chelsea progressed to the Europa League final thanks to three splendid second half goals after going 1-0 behind just before half-time.
Goals from Torres, Moses and Luiz made it 3-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to advance to their first Europa League final after a year of turmoil. Chelsea dominated the game without scoring in the first half and just minutes before the break Basle scored to give them hope. Hazard, Lampard, Torres missed easy chances in the first half and soon after the break Torres broke the hearts of Basle when he pounced on a deflected shot from Lampard and steered the ball into the net, 1-1 on the night.
Soon afterwards Moses scored after Torres broke through the defense and minutes later David Luiz sealed the match with a left foot shot that curled into the top left hand corner beyond the reached of the Basle keeper.
Chelsea won a rather dour game against Swansea on Sunday 2-0 with the only highlight Super Frankie Lampard’s closing on Bobby Tambling’s goal scoring record within one goal, his 201st club goal for Chelsea.
Lampard replaced Ramires in the 21st minute and he changed the game. His pass to Oscar provided Chelsea a much needed goal 3 minutes before half time and a less than two minutes later, Mata was tripped in the penalty area. Lampard stepped up and scored the winner.
Chelsea moved to 3rd place with a game in hand over Arsenal who is now fourth.
Chelsea showed their class last night after a 90+ minute goal from David Luiz to win the match on the night 2-1 against a solid looking Basle FC in Switzerland last night. The win and the two away goals augurs well for Chelsea in the return match at Stamford Bridge on 2 May 2013.
Chelsea should have wrapped up the game easily if we converted all our chances. Hazard, Torres, Lampard, Ivanovic and Terry all missed chances. The first goal came from a corner from Lampard and Ivanovic and Moses combined to head the ball pass the Basel keeper.
Basel then equalised after the referee indicated that Cesar Azpilicueta tripped Basle’s Stocker in the penalty area. Schar scored and Basle looked like they were happy with the goal. Chelsea pressed and with a free kick on the edge of the box, Luiz scored and Chelsea ended Basel FC staunch defense of their home record.
Chelsea is the first team to have won at Basle’s home ground in Europe.
