London: Demba Ba scored a rare goal as Chelsea advanced in the Champions League as group winners with a 1-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday. On a night when the Romanian visitors offered little threat, Ba turned the ball into the net from close range after 11 minutes at Stamford Bridge.
It was just the third goal the Senegal striker had scored in 12 appearances this season, and he missed another chance at the start of the second half when he struck over from six yards (meters).
Chelsea had wrapped up qualification last month despite losing at Basel, who also won their Group E opener in September but still finished third. By securing top spot ahead of Schalke, Chelsea, who won the Europa League last season, will play one of the group runners-up in the round of 16 in February.
Chelsea's defense proved to be sturdier in Europe again on Wednesday, in contrast to their domestic showing. This was Chelsea's fourth clean sheet in six Group E matches, with the only goals conceded to Basel.
In the Premier League, though, the Blues have conceded 17 goals already, two more than in the whole of Jose Mourinho's first season in charge - 2004-05 - when they won the 2004-05 title.
Chelsea's misfiring strikers have been as much of a concern for Mourinho, and Ba's effort against Steaua was initially given as an own goal. Oscar headed the ball across goal and it appeared that Daniel Georgievski flicked the ball into the net, but it was later ruled that Ba did get the final touch.
As rare as Ba finding the net was Mark Schwarzer appearing in the Chelsea goal, with the Australian making his Champions League debut at 41 in his first season with the club.
Not that Schwarzer could prove himself against a side that offered little attacking threat. Just after Ba's opener, Gabriel Iancu sent the ball wide for the visitors and a cross from Georgievski was easily collected by Schwarzer.
A second goal, though, proved elusive for Chelsea. Branislav Ivanovic header from Eden Hazard's cross was turned over by Ciprian Tatarusanu. The goalkeeper intervened to prevent Ba scoring again as he attempted an overhead kick after controlling the ball with his chest.
At start of second half, Ba's final touch let him down when he blazed over from six yards after getting on the end of William's cross.
And, after Hazard headed over, Ba found the net again in the closing minutes only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. It barely mattered as Steaua rarely looked like scoring, and Chelsea is back in the round of 16 after being knocked out at the group stage last season.
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