Chelsea’s expensively assembled side returned to the big time on Tuesday night when they qualified for the Champions League group stage with an emphatic 3-0 win over Slovak champions MSK Zilina.
Stamford Bridge rose to applaud Russian owner Roman Abramovich’s latest recruit, Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, at half time before seeing Chelsea utterly dominate the second half, scoring twice on their way into Europe’s most lucrative club competition.
A first senior goal for full-back Glen Johnson in the first half was followed by a rare header from German substitute Robert Huth in the 67th minute and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wrapped up a 5-0 aggregate victory 10 minutes from time.
Just three minutes after coming on as a substitute, Huth rose highest at the back post to power Emmanuel Petit’s corner inside Zilina goalkeeper Branislav Rzeszoto’s right-hand post.
Hasselbaink then latched on to Geremi’s chip to blast the ball past Zilina’s stranded goalkeeper.
Chelsea’s main victory on the night, however, was both lucrative and glamorous matches ahead as they resumed their presence in the Champions League group stage following a four-year hiatus.
All this was achieved without either Crespo or Adrian Mutu, who will now be eligible for the group stage, while Juan Sebastian Veron, Damien Duff and Wayne Bridge were also rested for the second leg.
Joe Cole was still given his full debut on the left flank and he was immediately in the thick of the action, winning a succession of free-kicks as he took the game to Zilina.
It took a little magic from the boot of Cole to carve open the first chance in the 12th minute.
The midfielder slipped a pass to Hasselbaink on the edge of the box and the striker almost sent Eidur Gudjohnsen, who scored in the first leg, through on goal.
Chelsea almost broke the deadlock after 21 minutes when Gudjohnsen got the slightest touch on a Hasselbaink corner from the left but the Icelandic international failed to find the net from eight yards.
Hasselbaink headed over from three yards out six minutes later and the goal Chelsea deserved finally came after 32 minutes.
Jesper Gronkjaer was fouled on the right and the resulting free kick was swung into the box by England international Frank Lampard.
The ball skipped off the head of Zilina defender Dusan Sninsky and fell invitingly for full-back Glen Johnson to head in at the back post.
With Petit brought on at the interval following Crespo’s unveiling, Chelsea upped the tempo and never looked like failing to go through. — Sapa-AFP