Southampton 1-2

Independent:

Southampton 2 Chelsea 1

Saints loosen Blues' grip on top four
Pochettino's latest scalp leaves Chelsea hanging on to Champions League place by two points

By NICK SZCZEPANIK

Rafael Benitez gambled on his team selection yesterday and the gamble did not pay off. With more than an eye on tomorrow's FA Cup sixth-round replay against Manchester United, the Chelsea interim manager fielded a team well below full strength and may not only have dropped three points at St Mary's but also lost the initiative in the race for Champions League places. Tottenham Hotspur overtook his temporary charges yesterday, while fifth-placed Arsenal closed to within two points, and although Chelsea have a game in hand on Spurs, a fearsomely-crowded fixture list may nullify that advantage – after United visit Stamford Bridge, Chelsea entertain Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday.
Yesterday Benitez made seven changes to the team that had started Chelsea's previous game, against West Ham United, with only the absences of Gary Cahill (knee) and Juan Mata (illness) enforced, and the result was a sluggish first-half performance. John Terry, making a rare league start, cancelled out Jay Rodriguez' opener, but Rickie Lambert celebrated his 500th league appearance and a two-year contract extension with the winner, and although Chelsea improved after the break, the damage was done and Chelsea had taken only one point from their past four away league matches.
However, Benitez denied that he had sacrificed the league campaign in pursuit of an FA Cup semi-final. "I still have confidence that we can finish in the top four and win one or two trophies,"he said. "We still have a lot of games in the league. I said it a month ago, but it will go right until the end. We cannot change [the fixtures] – just play the games and try and manage the squad."
Benitez must have known that Southampton, these days, are not a team he could afford to take lightly. This marked a hat-trick of wins for Mauricio Pochettino over contenders, the scalp of the Champions League winners added to those of Manchester City and Liverpool. The Argentinian went one better than the draw Nigel Adkins managed at Stamford Bridge in his last game in charge of Southampton – and much better than the 5-1 defeat suffered by Saints in the FA Cup tie between the teams here in January.
"Victories like that confirm we're on the right path," Pochettino said. "It's very important for the confidence of my players, and the people in the club, the technical staff. It's important we can believe we can achieve results as we did today, and can do so in the future."
Southampton tore into the visitors from the first whistle, barely missing the injured Adam Lallana. Chelsea looked ponderous in midfield and Southampton cut through time and again while former Chelsea youth team captain Jack Cork patrolled in front of the defence. Jay Rodriguez set the tone when he flicked the ball over Terry's head and ran at the remaining defenders, spoiling it all with an underhit shot that rolled gently into Cech's arms.
It was just the first of many chances that came Southampton's way. Jason Puncheon, Nathaniel Clyne and Lambert all threatened before Rodriguez finished a move whose pace dizzied the defence, taking Steven Davis's deft return pass and rolling the ball calmly beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and into the corner of the net.
Southampton relaxed for a second, and Fernando Torres had what would have been an instant equaliser disallowed for a handling offence before Terry escaped Jos Hooiveld to head home unopposed from Marko Marin's corner, but Chelsea were not level for long. Branislav Ivanovic fouled Lambert 25 yards out, and Southampton's top scorer picked himself up to flight the free kick over Torres in the wall and high past the right hand of the diving Cech.
Chelsea improved after the interval and Victor Moses saw a deflected shot finger-tipped over by Kelvin Davis, who replaced Artur Boruc at half-time after the goalkeeper had been taken ill, Moses claimed a penalty as Maya Yoshida barged him over but in vain, and then tried to beat one man too many, and Frank Lampard could not get in a shot from six yards. Benitez threw on Eden Hazard, Ramires and Yossi Benayoun in an attempt to rescue the result, but all he got was boos from the 3,000 travelling fans, and sympathy from Pochettino, who called him "one of the best managers in the world."
Benitez added: "In the first half we didn't have the intensity we were expecting. We improved a lot in the second half, created more chances, but still didn't make the right decisions in the final third. At least we were there and had the chances. Now we have to carry on and concentrate on Monday, then think about Thursday and then Sunderland at home. That is the way. You have to be ready for the next challenge."

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Guardian:

Southampton's Rickie Lambert loosens Chelsea's grip on a top-four spot

Dominic Fifield at St Mary's Stadium

Chelsea's campaign is supposed to have entered a defining period, a frantic phase that stretches to less than three weeks but is crammed with fixtures that will determine just what can be salvaged from a confused mess of a season. And yet, Rafael Benítez's insistence that he is "still confident we can finish in the top four and win one or two trophies" felt ludicrously optimistic. The sequence has begun with a splutter.
The European champions were outplayed for long periods on the south coast before succumbing to Southampton, a team with other priorities but with established form against those used to the thinner air at the top of this division. While the locals revelled in a victory that thrust them into mid-table, albeit still four points from the cut-off, those in the away section bellowed their disgust. The usual cries for José Mourinho went up, all merged with the chorus for Benítez to depart at pace. The interim manager is used to all that by now but, after a recent ceasefire, this was an ugly reminder that it only takes one debatable team selection, a questionable substitution and, certainly, a fitful performance to turn the mood sour.
This was a potentially damaging loss as Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal prospered elsewhere, the gap to fifth place trimmed disconcertingly to two points ahead of the clutter to come. Chelsea could be out of the Champions League qualification places by the next time they trot out in the top flight, against Sunderland next Sunday, though they will have entertained Manchester United and Rubin Kazan by then. Victory here might have provided momentum in that run of daunting games, but all they have to carry into the FA Cup on Monday is a sense of deflation. There had been seven changes to the lineup from just before the international window but, where Benítez hoped for evidence of energy and inspiration, this was all too disjointed. It was even feeble at times.
Some of the cavalry were flung on towards the end, Ramires and Eden Hazard injecting some much needed zest, but they were chasing the contest by then and Southampton were in no mood to wilt. Kelvin Davis, called upon as the teams re-emerged after the interval when Artur Boruc complained of dizziness, tipped Victor Moses's scooped attempt over the bar and Frank Lampard's free-kick veered just over but, even in the latter stages, the hosts still created the more presentable opportunities.
"Rafa's one of the best managers in the world, and he has my respect for what he's done in football," Mauricio Pochettino, the Southampton manager, said. "I have sympathy for Rafa and recognise the job he's done." Few among the travelling support would agree, even if this logjam of games would test all-comers. Chelsea have secured a solitary point from four away games since mid-January.
How they missed Juan Mata here, the Spaniard out with a fever but hopeful of featuring against Manchester United. Gary Cahill may be absent, his knee still recovering from the damage sustained against West Ham earlier this month. John Terry, whose thumping downward header had briefly restored parity just after the half-hour mark, will expect to drop out again but this entire back-line laboured to contain Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert.
The Premier League champions elect will presumably confront a team that starts with Ashley Cole and Hazard down the left, rather than Ryan Bertrand and Marko Marin, but they will not be too perturbed by what awaits in south west London.
Southampton will care little that they dismissed virtually a second XI. The displays mustered by Nathaniel Clyne and Jack Cork – who played 155 league games for six different teams while on loan from Chelsea, but not one for his parent club – summed up their wide-eyed enthusiasm and underlying quality, with the hosts superb throughout. They had prised their opponents apart far too easily when on the front foot, their dominance reflected midway through the first period as Lambert fed the ball in-field from the left flank for Rodriguez to collect. He exchanged passes with Steven Davis, a slick rat-a-tat to flummox static defenders, with the finish crisp and low beyond Petr Cech.
Even once pierced themselves, they recovered almost immediately. Chelsea were still celebrating Terry's riposte when Branislav Ivanovic fouled Lambert 25 yards out, and the forward's 14th goal of a productive first campaign at this level was curled in from distance; a fine way to savour a recently signed two-year contract extension. "He's a player I knew even before I arrived, and we're really proud of his performance," Pochettino said.
This club is starting to feel the same way for their man in charge. Chelsea have followed Manchester City and Liverpool in being dismissed since he took up the reins, and safety feels in sight. They can spend the week focusing on their reunion with Nigel Adkins next Saturday. Benítez, with fixtures flying at him from all angles, does not have that luxury.


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Telegraph:

Southampton 2 Chelsea 1

Simon Hart

The trouble with trying to keep so many plates spinning is the danger that all of them could come crashing down at once. At the start of a crucial eight days for Chelsea, Rafael Benítez’s decision to prioritise Monday’s FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United by resting key players backfired spectacularly as his side becameSouthampton’s third high-profile scalp of the season.
The fate of Manchester City and Liverpool might have told Benítez that you underestimate Southampton at your peril at St Mary’s, and he could have few complaints after his side lost to a team whose enterprise and unstinting work ethic belied their lowly league position.
Having now pulled off back-to-back victories against more exalted opposition, Southampton have taken a giant step towards Premier League safety and could soon be in the happy position of having nothing to play for.
Not so Chelsea, who, after their Cup showdown, have a Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan to contend with on Thursday before they return to Premier League action against Sunderland next Sunday. It is a sequence of matches that could well define their season.
Should they prevail over United, Benítez may well consider that his changes were justified as five players from the side who beat West Ham a fortnight ago were dropped to the substitutes’ bench.
The absence of Gary Cahill and Juan Mata, who was suffering from a virus, was enforced.
But the defeat means Chelsea now drop to third place behind Tottenham, and with Arsenal breathing down their necks just two points behind, the battle for the fourth Champions League spot looks as if it will go to the wire. Certainly, Chelsea cannot afford many more slip-ups.
Playing with a confidence born out of their 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the last round of Premier League fixtures, Southampton were much the brighter and more creative, led by the talismanic Ricky Lambert, who gave a tireless performance from start to finish.
The pattern of the match was set from the early exchanges, and Lambert should really have put his side in front in the ninth minute when he humiliated John Terry, who was starting his first Premier League match since last month, with a sublime piece of skill that left him with acres of space in front of Petr Cech’s goal.
The moment was spoiled, however, by Lambert’s tame shot straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper when a pass to the unmarked Jason Puncheon might have been more fruitful.
Puncheon went close himself when he wriggled through a crowded penalty area, though Cech was alert to danger and did well to block his shot.
With Southampton’s slick passing causing Chelsea all sorts of problems at the back, the home side got their reward in the 23rd minute after an exquisite move that was started by Lambert before Jay Rodriguez exchanged a neat one-two with Steve Davis on the edge of the box to prise open the Chelsea defence and then shoot powerfully past Cech.
Two minutes later Fernando Torres had the ball in the net after outpacing Jos Hooiveld, though referee Jon Moss correctly spotted that the Spanish forward had used an arm to knock the ball past the Southampton defender.
But there was no doubt about Chelsea’s 33rd-minute equaliser – a point-blank header from Terry after he rose unchallenged to meet Marko Marin’s corner.
The goal was more than Chelsea deserved, and a stunned St Mary’s crowd must have been wondering whether one defensive lapse would undo all the good work of the first half-hour, though it took less than two minutes for justice to be restored.
Lambert, who was a persistent handful for the Chelsea back line, was pushed illegally by Branislav Ivanovic and, from the resulting free-kick, the Southampton forward scored his 14th goal of the season when he curled the ball beyond Cech from 30 yards.
Chelsea did offer more of a threat after the break, with Victor Moses going close with a looping shot that Artur Boruc did well to tip over the bar, though Southampton’s defence was only occasionally inconvenienced. Indeed, the home side could even have stretched their lead when, with a three on two, James Ward-Prowse opted to cross the ball when a bit of selfishness would have been better advised.
The substitution of Yossi Benayoun for Oscar in the 76th minute was the prelude to some vile anti-Benítez abuse by the travelling Chelsea fans about which the Spaniard chose not to comment after the match.
It is fair to say it was not the Chelsea interim manager’s finest hour.

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Times:

Southampton 2 Chelsea 1: Saints leave Benitez red-faced
Nick Townsend

JOSE MOURINHO’S pointed declaration last week that “I have to be back in English football” would have been received with a frisson of anticipation from the Chelsea faithful, who expect to see the Portuguese back home come the summer.
 But many more days like these and he could be revising any such plans. Even if he and owner Roman Abramovich can complete their rapprochement, would Mourinho be inclined to take charge of a team annexed from next season’s Champions League?
 The evidence is not persuasive that Chelsea will make it, with defeat having left the Blues in fourth and Arsenal a potent threat to that position, despite interim manager Rafa Benitez’s confidence. He said last night: “I have confidence we can finish in the top four and we can win one or two trophies.”

This display typified Chelsea under Benitez: so utterly unpredictable from one game to the next; from one half to the next. The only certainty was that the away fans would assail his ears with vitriol. Their protests began early on a day the Spaniard’s team selection suggested tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United was his priority.
 Victory would have seen Chelsea still hunting down second-placed Manchester City. Instead they were defeated by a Saints side who are making a habit of slaying the big beasts at home. Confidence is surging through them and survival is virtually assured after an opener from Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert’s 14th league goal this season, which proved to be the winner, separated by John Terry’s reply.
 “Lambert for England”, the Saints fans chorused. While that appears an unlikely scenario, his displays continue to prove good value for a £1m outlay. “I’m really proud of his performance on the pitch — but also off the pitch he’s a really great person,” said his manager, Mauricio Pochettino.
 Comparisons with his £50m counterpart Fernando Torres, whose league goal tally this season is half that of Lambert, are inevitable. Here, the masked Spaniard — still recovering from a broken nose against Steaua Bucharest — had the ball in the net but was adjudged to have handled. He contributed some clever approach work but rarely looked likely to score.
 Having put Manchester City and Liverpool to the sword here under Pochettino’s management, the Saints had nothing to fear from a weakened Chelsea side, with Lambert and Rodriguez a constant menace and Steven Davis an energetic presence behind them, reinforced by a resourceful rearguard.

Eden Hazard and Ramires came on as second-half substitutes, while Ashley Cole and David Luiz, who were on the bench and stayed there, are likely to start against United at Stamford Bridge tomorrow at 12.30pm, less than 44 hours after the final whistle here during a spell of five games in 13 days for the Londoners. Juan Mata, out with a virus, and Gary Cahill were absent from yesterday’s squad altogether. The former “could be ready” for the FA Cup match but the latter is unlikely to feature. Stressing that “every competition is important for us”, Benitez tried to explain his strategy. “It is impossible to be physiologically 100% ready for both games, so you have to manage the squad, try to find the balance,” he said.
 Chelsea beat Saints 5-1 here in the FA Cup third round but there was never any likelihood of a repeat. Sensing the vulnerability of the weakened visitors, Southampton attacked with venom. Midway through the first half they seized a deserved lead with a delightful incisive move. Lambert started it on the right and found Rodriguez, whose one-two with Davis allowed the striker to drive the ball beyond Petr Cech.
 Benitez’s men barely had a look-in in the first half hour but, after Victor Moses’ deflected attempt won a corner, Terry headed powerfully down and beyond goalkeeper Artur Boruc from Marko Marin’s delivery. Almost immediately, Saints restored their lead. John Obi Mikel fouled Davis and Lambert launched a brute of a 25-yard free-kick which swerved beyond Cech. It was an immediate payback from Lambert after signing a two-year contract extension since the Saints last played.

At half-time, Kelvin Davis replaced a dizzy Boruc and the substitute keeper did well to palm over another Moses effort when Chelsea pressed unconvincingly.
 Southampton are looking up. “Victories like this confirm the fact that we are on the right path,” said Pochettino. Another win could all but secure their top-flight status. Possibly on Saturday at Reading, against the manager they sacked, Nigel Adkins.

Star man: Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

Southampton: Boruc 6 (Davis h-t, 7), Clyne 6, Yoshida 7, Hooiveld 7, Shaw 6, Schneiderlin 7, Cork 6, Puncheon 6 (Ward-Prowse 62min), Davis 7 (Fox 85min), Rodriguez 7, Lambert 8

Chelsea: Cech 6, Azpilicueta 6, Ivanovic 7, Terry 6, Bertrand, Mikel 6 (Ramires 72min), Lampard 7, Moses 5, Oscar 6 (Benayoun 76min), Marin 5 (Hazard 61min), Torres 5

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Mail:

Southampton 2 Chelsea 1: Blues' top-four hopes dealt major blow as Saints stun Benitez's boys on south coast

By MALCOLM FOLLEY

Even though Rafa Benitez gambled on a grand scale - and lost - by picking a strangely unfamiliar team, Southampton were masters of their own destiny at St Mary's.
Victory over Chelsea, following home wins against Manchester City and Liverpool since February, propelled the Saints closer to preserving their Premier League status.
There is a prevailing mood of optimism on the south coast for the scrap ahead, beginning next Saturday away to a Reading side managed by their old boss Nigel Adkins.
Chelsea face a mammoth fight to qualify for the Champions League.
But Benitez made his intentions clear, with his selection, that the FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United tomorrow took precedence over this game.
He did not so much rotate his squad as spin it with the ferocity of a circus ride.
On the bench, he deposited the extravagant talents of Eden Hazard, David Luiz, Ashley Cole, Ramires and Demba Ba.
In addition, Juan Mata and Gary Cahill were declared unfit to be considered.
It is a safe bet to assume all will play against United on Monday, when Chelsea face Sir Alex Ferguson's team at Stamford Bridge for the right to meet Manchester City in a Wembley semi-final on April 14.
'We still have one game in hand, and we have to carry on and concentrate, move on and start thinking about Monday,' said Benitez.
'We had to manage the squad. We didn't have many options in some positions so we had the players we had to use.
He added: 'You have to approach every game like it is the most important, and we thought with these players we would be fine.'
In a chaotically crowded calendar, Benitez also has to contend with home fixtures against Rubin Kazan in a Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday and Sunderland a week today.
His target, in his final couple of months managing the club, is to deliver silverware into the arms of Roman Abramovich as well as assuring Chelsea a place in the Champions League next season.
How easy it is to forget that Chelsea are the reigning champions of Europe. Unsurprisingly, they played like strangers; and how effectively Southampton capitalised.
Feeding on the confidence established from beating Liverpool 3-1 in their last game, manager Mauricio Pochettino must have been delighted with the industry and sharp interchanges between Steven Davis, Jack Cork and Jason Puncheon.
Pochettino, who has now won three, drawn three and lost three games since replacing Adkins in January, said: 'Victories like today prove we are on the right path.
'It is very important for the confidence of my players and especially the people surrounding our club - the technical staff.'
Indeed, Puncheon made dramatic, unchecked progress deep into Chelsea territory in the 12th minute, only to be thwarted by the alert goalkeeping of Petr Cech.
Moments later, Nathaniel Clyne breached Chelsea's left with embarrassing ease but his short-range cross was deflected by Branislav Ivanovic.
Chelsea's central defender then raced out to block Rickie Lambert's shot. Deservedly, Southampton's supremacy was rewarded in the 23rd minute.
Jay Rodriguez received an exquisite return pass from Davis on the edge of the area and beat Cech with a piece of composed finishing.
Yet Southampton underlined one of football's oldest maxims: a team are at their most vulnerable when they have just scored.
When central defender Maya Yoshida played an air shot in the last third of the pitch, Fernando Torres thought he had equalised but was correctly judged to have nudged the ball with his arm.
But in the 33rd minute John Terry provided Chelsea with a goal that stood.
From a corner by Marko Marin, Terry created space for himself and scored with a header. Southampton responded admirably.
After Davis was fouled 25 yards from Cech's goal, Lambert placed the ball and took aim. With great precision, he curled it over Torres, on the right of the wall, to celebrate signing a new contract with a sweet free-kick.
At half-time, Kelvin Davis replaced Artur Boruc in Southampton's goal and he athletically touched Victor Moses's deflected shot over his bar. Benitez then sent for the cavalry, in the shape of Hazard, Ramires and Yossi Benayoun, but to no avail.

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Mirror:

Southampton 2-1 Chelsea: Seven-change Blues down to fourth as Lambert plays up to new deal
Rafa Benitez remains defiant despite this wretched setback.

Peter White

Chelsea’s interim manager again found himself abused by angry fans as his side ­became the latest high-fliers to stumble at St Mary’s.
With the FA Cup replay against Manchester United tomorrow, Benitez left the ­Chelsea faithful frustrated by making seven changes from the last Premier League game. Five of his big-name stars were on the subs’ bench.
The gamble went horribly wrong. Chants of, ‘F*** off ­Benitez, you’re not wanted here’, rang out from the 3,181 travelling fans as this defeat put Chelsea’s hopes of a top- four finish in jeopardy.
But Benitez remains upbeat, insisting: “I have confidence we can finish in the top four and win one or two trophies.
“In the first half we didn’t have the intensity we were expecting, but we improved a lot in the second half, created more chances, but still didn’t make the right decisions in the final third.”
When quizzed on his mass changes, Benitez claimed: “We had to manage the squad. We didn’t have many options, so we had to use the players we had to use. And we created enough chances in the second half to win the game.”
Although two changes were enforced from the team that beat West Ham, with Juan Mata ill and Gary Cahill ­injured, Benitez opted to put Ashley Cole, David Luiz,­ ­Ramires, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba on a very expensive subs’ bench.
He must soon have sensed he’d made a major error as the Saints dominated the opening 45 minutes.
Benitez looked bemused in his technical area, even more so when Saints ­deservedly took the lead on 23 minutes. Rickie Lambert fed Jay Rodriguez, who took a neat return ball from Steven Davis and cleverly passed the ball out of Petr Cech’s reach.
Just three minutes later Fernando Torres thought he had produced the perfect ­response when he held off Jos Hooiveld’s challenge to beat keeper Artur Boruc, but ­eagle-eyed referee Jon Moss spotted the striker had ­handled in the build-up.
Saints’ defending was poor when they left John Terry unmarked to head home the equaliser from Marko Marin’s corner in the 33rd minute.
But within two minutes Lambert again displayed his amazing goalscoring prowess from set pieces. When he was pushed by Branislav Ivanovic 30 yards out, he took responsibility for the free-kick.
He did so magnificently and without missing a trick. He saw Torres in the wall wearing a mask to protect his ­broken nose. So he aimed his effort straight at the ­Spaniard, who made no attempt to ­deflect the shot. By the time Cech dived, the ball was in the net for Lambert’s 14th of the season.
Boruc was forced to give way to Kelvin Davis at the break and he soon showed he had lost none of his agility sat on the bench. Torres’ quickly- taken free-kick was crossed by Cesar Azpilicueta for Moses to scoop in a shot that the veteran ­keeper did well to touch over.
Chelsea showed more ­purpose after the break but when Moses tumbled over in the area under an innocuous challenge, it proved they were getting desperate.
Lampard finally had the chance to add to his goal tally a minute from time, but he flashed his 25-yard free-kick over the bar.
Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino said: “We are on the right path. It is important for the confidence of the ­players to believe we can achieve results like this.”


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Sun:

THE latest blunder in the bungling reign of Rafa Benitez has thrown Chelsea’s Champions League hopes into disarray.

Rob Beasley

And given relegation-threatened Saints renewed hope of survival.
For Benitez astonishingly decided to put out a second-string side for this vital Premier League match.
And he paid the price as the Londoners crashed to a dismal and deserved defeat against a spirited Southampton outfit.
With Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal all winning, it was a terribly bad day for the Blues.
Spurs leapfrog them to move up into third, with fifth-placed Arsenal now hot on their tails, just two points behind.
Furious Chelsea fans again turned on their reviled interim manager with a barrage of abuse, angry that he had decided tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United was more important than this trip to the South Coast.
Few of them put the FA Cup ahead of a Champions League spot — and I am sure owner Roman Abramovich would agree.
So this was a calamitous setback and it looked on the cards right from the start.
Chelsea kicked off as if they were finishing a punishing run of four games in eight days, not beginning it.
Lethargic, lacklustre and laboured.
The much-changed side clearly did not help their cause.
Ashley Cole, David Luiz, Eden Hazard, Ramires and Demba Ba were on the bench.
Star turn Juan Mata was also missing, left behind in London nursing a fever, while injured England centre-back Gary Cahill was again out.
So Marko Marin, Ryan Bertrand and Victor Moses made rare starts, while skipper John Terry partnered Branislav Ivanovic in the heart of defence.
Southampton must have been lifted as soon as they saw the visitors’ teamsheet.
They certainly wasted no time at all in putting the Londoners’ unfamiliar line-up under pressure. Saints could have been in front as early as the 10th minute when the lively Jay Rodriguez charged through the middle.
But he foolishly ignored the unmarked Jason Puncheon to his left and selfishly went for goal.
His terribly tame effort made his error of judgement all the more pronounced.
Not that the home side faltered. Ivanovic was forced to make back-to-back blocks to keep out shots from Nathaniel Clyne and then Rickie Lambert.
Chelsea’s poor start prompted the first “We don’t care about Rafa” chorus, quickly followed by an even louder call for Jose Mourinho.
And their supporters’ sense of despair soon deepened yet further after 23 minutes as the Blues went a goal behind just as news was drifting in that top-four rivals Tottenham had gone 2-0 up at Swansea.
It began with Lambert out wide and with time and room to pick out Rodriguez on the edge of the Chelsea area.
A quick one-two with Steven Davis saw Rodriguez in the clear and this time he did not mess it up, coolly slotting a low shot across Petr Cech and into the bottom corner — a fine finish for a deserved lead.
But having done the hard part, Southampton then suffered an alarming dip in concentration.
And they really rode their luck as Chelsea attempted to respond.
Fernando Torres, wearing a mask to protect his broken nose, almost stole an equaliser — forcing his way clear only to see his ‘goal’ ruled out for a foul.
Then Moses cut in from the right to fire in a dangerous effort that landed on the roof of the net.
But Chelsea would not be denied and pulled level in the 33rd minute.
A Marin corner picked out the unmarked Terry in the middle and he buried a trademark header for 1-1.
Incredibly, Chelsea tossed it away moments later. Lambert was always going to try his luck with a 30-yard free-kick just to the left of centre.
As it was, there was no luck about it as he brilliantly looped the ball over the Chelsea wall and beyond keeper Cech’s despairing dive.
Southampton continued to enjoy the upper hand after the break, even though crocked keeper Artur Boruc had to be replaced at half-time.
Although, on the hour, Torres slid in a clever free-kick for Cesar Azpilicueta to open up Saints.
The full-back cut the ball back to Moses, whose deflected shot looped up and looked to be dropping in until sub keeper Kelvin Davis arched backwards to touch it on to the bar and over.
Hazard replaced Marin just after the hour.
But Saints could have added a third within an instant as a Rodriguez shot across the keeper was pushed away two-handed by Cech.
At the other end, Moses went down in the box appealing in vain for a penalty, although replays showed he had a case.
It was turning into one of those afternoons for the Blues.
And when Benitez swapped Jon Obi Mikel and Oscar for Ramires and Yossi Benayoun, the fans voiced their disgust.
First it was “You don’t know what you’re doing”. Then “Rafa Benitez — you’re not wanted here”, followed by a barrage of boos when the hated interim boss emerged from the bench.
Finally there was another plaintive refrain of “Jose Mourinho”.
Chelsea’s misery was complete when the normally reliable Hazard lashed a wild shot across the face of goal as the Blues’ growing anxiety began to shine through.
When an 88th-minute free-kick from Frank Lampard sailed harmlessly over the top, the game was up.

Southampton: Boruc (Kelvin Davis 46), Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Shaw, Puncheon (Ward-Prowse 62), Schneiderlin, Cork, Steven Davis (Fox 85), Rodriguez, Lambert. Subs not used: Fonte, Ramirez, Forren, Do Prado. Booked:Lambert,Schneiderlin.
Goals: Rodriguez 23, Lambert 35.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Bertrand, Mikel (Ramires 71), Lampard, Moses, Oscar (Benayoun 76), Marin (Hazard 60), Torres. Subs not used: Turnbull, Cole, Luiz, Ba.Booked: Torres.
Goals: Terry 33.

Att: 31,779
Ref: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)

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Star/Express :

SOUTHAMPTON 2 - CHELSEA 1: RICKIE LAMBERT ONE IN A MILLION
Colin Mafham

IF Roman Abramovich lost a lot of sleep last night it would have been nothing to do with the clocks going forward an hour.
Chelsea’s Russian owner must have had nightmares about how he managed to fork out £50million for Fernando Torres when he could have had Rickie Lambert for just £1m.
Add to that another three precious points lost, a vocal campaign from Chelsea fans calling for the return of Jose Mourinho and he could be excused for giving tomorrow’s crucial FA Cup tie against Manchester United a miss.
But as he and Chelsea licked their self-inflicted wounds it was Lambert’s man-of-the-match show that will have riled the Russian the most.
For most of the time yesterday Southampton’s bargain buy looked much more like the big money striker than the sorry Spaniard did.
And in so doing, he massively boosted Southampton’s hopes of playing Premier League football next season.
No wonder they were so happy to give him a new contract up to 2016 last week.
And no wonder their ecstatic fans chanted ‘we are staying up’.
Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino could have been excused if he’d been even more lost for words – English ones, that is – when he saw the Chelsea teamsheet.
How he would surely have liked to have had David Luiz, Ramires, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba on his side.
Rafa Benitez left them all on the bench – and earned more abuse from his Chelsea baiters in the process.
Hardly surprising really, after he bizarrely chose to play Torres up front on his own, with a broken nose and a face mask to protect it.
And he wasn’t the only one who needed protecting, judging by the way Jay Rodriguez cut through them early on as Chelsea, for all their apparent talent, spent a lot of time in their own half.
Southampton gave them a real run-around – and made them pay for that teamsheet over-confidence with the 23rd-minute opener.
The sadly out-of-sorts Torres, with or without his mask, would have been delighted with the way Rodriguez clinically finished off a cracking three-man move started by Lambert and helped on by Steven Davis.
The same could be said about John Terry’s equaliser ten minutes later.
Chelsea skipper Terry should never have been allowed the space to meet Marko Marin’s corner but he made it count with a trademark header past Artur Boruc.
Credit to Saints, they were back in front in little more than a minute – and once again, it was a beauty.
This time Lambert stepped up to the plate with a 25-yard free-kick that swerved more than a bit on its way past the Chelsea wall and keeper Petr Cech.
Chants of ‘Lambert for England’ may be a tad over the top but his 14th league goal of the season – twice as many as Torres – suggest there aren’t all that many in the country who are a lot better at the moment.
The speed with which Chelsea came out for the second half – a while before Saints appeared – suggested Benitez had said a few choice words during the break.
For a while it worked, as Chelsea stepped up a significant couple of gears.
And if it hadn’t been for the heroics of substitute keeper Kelvin Davis, they would have been at least level within a quarter of an hour.
But Lambert’s men are nothing if not battlers and they did more than enough to win three precious survival points.
Tomorrow’s game now assumes even greater importance for Chelsea.
Benitez said: “The first half was just not good enough but the second half was a lot better and we had enough chances to get something out of the game.
“I have every confidence in my players and believe we will finish in the top four and win one or two trophies.”
Pochettino hailed his players for taking another giant step towards Premier League survival.
He said: “Victories like this show we are on the right path. It was important for the confidence of my players.
“I knew about Lambert before I came and I was very pleased with him today.”


=======================

West Ham 2-0

Guardian:
Frank Lampard scores 200th Chelsea goal in win over West Ham
Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge

Frank Lampard's career is in its 18th year, his legs a little heavier than they once were and the opportunities eked out amid squad rotation, but his scriptwriters remain as sharp as ever. The veteran had been twitching nervously on the brink of a major landmark for a month, the flurry of goals that had propelled Chelsea through the winter suddenly choked. Then Eden Hazard clipped over a mouth-watering centre, West Ham's backline dawdled and the midfielder rose to convert his double-century.
There was a quick glance back over his shoulder at the linesman on the far side, the lack of a flag prompting a flash of relief, before the realisation dawned his timing was finally in. Those snarling among the away support would not agree, but it felt appropriate that goal No200 for Chelsea should be registered against the club who have loved to loathe Lampard ever since that acrimonious move down the District Line almost 12 years ago. It was not lost on the midfielder, who jogged across in front of the West Ham support to celebrate with his substitute and captain, John Terry, on the touchline.
The 34-year-old is a phenomenon, his tally remarkable for a midfielder who had arrived with little goalscoring pedigree of note. Bobby Tambling's club record of 202 will surely be eclipsed in the logjam of fixtures to come this term. "It is one of my best days," he admitted. "Obviously, winning the Champions League and championships are the best, but personally getting 200 goals for the club … I never thought I would touch that so I am pleased to get it. Everyone keeps talking about the goalscoring record, I would rather people kept quiet."
That much is wishful thinking. A record of 200 goals in 595 appearances demands praise, even if the away fans' reaction, perhaps predictably, was a hail of missiles in the player's direction. "When you score your 200th goal you don't think about where you go, you just celebrate," said Rafael Benítez, whose players were subsequently advised by the fourth official to warm up towards the other end of the pitch. "Afterwards, he realised it would be better to be in another part [of the ground]. But this is a fantastic achievement for any player, and particularly a midfielder."
The player himself stressed that "winning games" remains the priority, with a timely victory re-establishing Chelsea in third above Tottenham Hotspur and, even more critically, keeping fifth-placed Arsenal five points away. In truth, Hazard and Juan Mata illuminated the occasion, the pair irrepressible as the hosts purred and West Ham struggled to contain them throughout.
This would have been a rout had Jussi Jaaskelainen not reproduced his eye-catching form from the recent defeat to Spurs, the goalkeeper magnificent in keeping West Ham in vague contention even if the visitors' own forward line rarely threatened to make their own mark. Hazard's second, rasped into the corner just after the break once he had eased away from Winston Reid, effectively killed off the contest and was just reward for another outstanding display.
The Belgian was prolific in French football and might be so again in England, with this a season of adjustment to the Premier League. He could, of course, prove to be Lampard's immediate successor given there is still no new contract offer on the table for the veteran, and the last month has confirmed Hazard's jaw-dropping quality. The only frustration here was that neither the blur of attacking midfielders nor the lone forward, Demba Ba, could ensure the scoreline was a truer reflection of home dominance. The Senegalese, prolific to the tune of seven goals in 12 league games during a brief spell as a West Ham player two seasons ago, departed perplexed that he had not added heavily to his personal tally with Chelsea.
He had skewed his first opportunity horribly wide having been liberated by Lampard's clever pass, with Jaaskelainen twice denying him from point-blank range just before the break. Indecision and uncertainty had taken over before the end, the decision-making all muddled, with the Fernando Torres bug clearly biting. Others in the ranks boast more bite at present, even if they benefited from West Ham's gumminess. Andy Carroll had a goal disallowed for a push on David Luiz and Petr Cech denied Carlton Cole, but that was as close as they came.
"It was a tough afternoon, but sometimes you can't defend against the quality the opposition have," said Sam Allardyce. His own team's pursuit of 39 points and safety is on-going. For Lampard, his double century complete, a club record edges ever closer.
Man of the match Eden Hazard (Chelsea)


=================

Independent:

Chelsea 2 West Ham United 0
Milestone moment stirs up a storm for West Ham
Kevin Garside

It had to be Frank Lampard, his 200th goal for Chelsea coming against his boyhood club. There were fairytale displays too by Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, two players operating on a level way beyond the capabilities of West Ham, who are once more looking over their shoulder at the gathering storm just six points below.
Lampard deserved better than the boneheaded response of the West Ham fans and the lack of resistance from the players in claret and blue, which rendered proper measurement of Chelsea’s performance impossible. They work harder at Cobham.
Perhaps West ham set down their weapons in salute to a player who left Upton Park for £11m 12 years ago. At least the result lifts Chelsea into third place above a faltering Tottenham, which is significant given Manchester City’s reluctance to nail down second.
The West Ham goal was a coconut shy for most of this contest. Chelsea might have reached double figures. Demba Ba should have had a hat-trick by half time. Jussi Jaaskelainen saved twice, once with a foot when Ba was clean through. The first chance Ba steered hopelessly wide. Matches can be too easy.
The lack of intensity did Chelsea more harm than good. West Ham held out for 18 minutes, thereafter the abacus was out in anticipation of a sack load. It was entirely the Hazard and Mata show, the pair linking luxuriously down the right. Hazard thought he had inked the score sheet first with a piledriver that was beaten away by Jaaskelainen. The ball was quickly worked back to Hazard, who picked out Lampard to head home.
Time, we know, is rushing by for Lampard. Even so it seems madness of Chelsea not to tie him down to at least one more year given the speculation linking him to David Beckham’s former club LA Galaxy.
While Hazard and Mata flicked and feinted about Stamford Bridge, and Ramires chugged up and down, Lampard laced the play with his unerring passes and some cute interceptions. And for all their invention, Hazard and Mata don’t always know when to pull the trigger. That is not a failing that can be attributed to Lampard, a midfielder with a striker’s awareness of goal. The default long ball to Andy Carroll seems to be West Ham’s only ploy but brings neither the best from West Ham nor the player. They do not have the resources to trouble Chelsea, but West Ham do have an identity to defend and promote, which condemns this template out of hand.
Carroll had the ball in the net two minutes after Lampard. It was chalked off for raised hands, which David Luiz made the most of in the Chelsea box. There was a header late on that Carroll might have done better with and another from substitute Carlton Cole. Mo Diamé had a shot blocked by Ramires and that was more or less that.
“I’m disappointed for Andy because he played well but doesn’t have a goal to show for it. He’s a handful. I’m just disappointed he didn’t score at the end of it,” manager Sam Allardyce said. “If he keeps shooting and getting in the right positions, the goals will come.
“But I want them to come against West Brom, next time we play. We’re running out of games for Andy to start scoring. Let’s hope he gets a few between now and the end of the season.”
Of the Luiz incident Allardyce added: “Technically, it was a foul. But I could show you about four outside the box he didn’t give today. I thought it was a brilliant dive from David Luiz, which bought him the foul. Mo Diamé had a really good chance, Carroll had another chance, and there were two headers from the far post. I’d have expected him to score at least one.
“Carlton Cole might have sneaked one as well. If we’d scored that, it might have been interesting. But to ask a newly promoted team tobeat a top four team twice is a pretty big ask.
It would have been utterly undeserved, too. Chelsea continued to create chance after chance before Hazard added a second five minutes after the break. It was another wondrous exchange with Mata that sent him through for a stiff finish with his left foot.  “It was a tough afternoon,” admitted Allardyce. “Mata and Hazard were both outstanding. I’d like to have seen us defending better, but sometimes you have to admire the talent.
“Sometimes you can’t defend the quality they’ve got. This year, away from home, scoring has been a massive problem for us. Not so much creating the chances, but scoring them. Today, apart from the one we had disallowed, we had enough opportunities and should have scored at least one.”
Defeat cuts the comfort zone protecting West Ham from the bottom three to six points. Allardyce says concern is natural but hopefully it will turn out to be a wasted emotion. He has set his team a target of six points from the remaining nine games, not straight forward given the last nine matches have yielded only seven.
“I’m always worried until we’re mathematically safe. You never stop worrying. You’re always looking at what could happen. But my belief in our home record is that it’ll be good enough for us to get safe. It’s about us getting to 39 points. That’s our concern. Get 39 points and you’re all right. It doesn’t matter what the others do.”


===============

Telegraph:

Police investigate as missile hits Chelsea defender John Terry during 2-0 victory over West Ham United
Paul Kelso

One of the crowning moments of Frank Lampard’s career collided with bad blood from his formative years as his 200th Chelsea goal was met with a hail of missiles from West Ham fans at Stamford Bridge.
Substitute John Terry is understood to have been hit by a coin thrown from the section of the Shed End housing visiting supporters after former West Ham player Lampard scored the opening goal in an ultimately comfortable Chelsea win.
Missiles including drinks bottles, coins and other objects were hurled towards the Chelseaplayers as they celebrated, and the incident could yet lead to an FA charge if it is reported by referee Michael Oliver.
The Metropolitan Police last night confirmed they were investigating incidents of coin throwing, and officers were studying CCTV pictures to identify those responsible. No supporters were ejected or arrested but the investigation will continue.
Eden Hazard marked a superb performance with the second goal, and victory moves Rafael Benitez’s side to third in the table, above a faltering Tottenham and within four points of Manchester City.
The fluent performance capped a fine week for Rafael Benítez that also saw his come back from 2-0 down to draw at Manchester United in the FA Cup, and progress to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Domestic issues and local feuds dominated events at Stamford Bridge however, as West Hamfans reacted to the mildest of provocation from Terry and had their jeers rammed back at them by Lampard.
Even before the goal Terry, a substitute, had been targeted by coins and missiles from the visiting supporters as he chose to warm up in front of them.
Terry had again relegated to the bench by Benítez for a Premier League game but he still managed to find his way to the heart of the game’s pivotal moment.
When Gary Cahill went down injured in the 17th minute Terry was off the bench to warm up with rare haste. With the assistant referee running the line at the Matthew Harding Stand end he headed in the direction of the away supporters.
Not one to shrink from a challenge he eyeballed the West Ham supporters abusing him and proceeded to perform a series of pointed exercises. He mimicked raising a trophy several times, and then turned to touch his toes leavings his backside pointing at the visitors.
While this pantomime was playing out Terry’s team-mates were concocting a far greater act of provocation. Hazard’s shot was beaten out by Jussi Jaaskelainen as far as Victor Moses, who returned the ball to the Belgian to cross for Lampard, unmarked, to nod the ball home.
The former West Ham player was not about to let the moment of his 200th goal pass uncelebrated and as he ran towards the West Ham fans to celebrate he was met by Terry, galloping back down the touchline to join in.
“I wasn’t hit by anything,” Lampard said. “I went quite close to the West Ham fans but that was the natural curve of my run.” As the game restarted Terry stopped to pick up several coins, and turned to display them to the travelling fans. Point made, though not to the satisfaction of fourth official Howard Webb, who instructed substitutes from both sides to warm up at the other end thereafter.
A West Ham spokesman said that anyone found to have thrown coins could be banned by the club.
“West Ham will be working with Chelsea to investigate the incidents of missiles throwing. Any individual found to have acted in an inappropriate way will have to face the consequences including the possibility of being banned from future matches.”
As the home club responsible for controlling supporters Chelsea could also be charged. They were fined £30,000 in 2005 after Matjai Kezman was struck by a coin thrown by a West Ham fan.
Benítez praised Lampard for his “fantastic achievement”, but acknowledged that he could have celebrated in a safer corner of the ground.
“When you score 200 goals, you don’t really think about where you go,” Benítez said.
The antagonism was a distraction from a sumptuous performance from Chelsea. A fine Hazard pass created the first for Lampard, whose characteristic late run took bought him time and space to finish.
Hazard’s goal was just as well-crafted. Starting on the right touchline he played a one-two with Juan Mata, brought down the return pass on his chest at pace and stepped inside two covering defenders before crashing his left-foot shot past Jussi Jaaskelaninen in the West Ham goal.
While Benítez goes into the international break hoping his players get some rest and return refreshed, Allardyce was left fretting with his side only six points clear of the relegation zone.
“I’m always worried until we’re mathematically safe,” he said. “My belief in our home record is that it’ll be good enough for us to get safe.”

================

Mail:

Chelsea 2 West Ham 0: Lampard joins the 200 club to help Benitez's boys into third

By NEIL ASHTON

Just as John Terry sprinted on to the turf at Stamford Bridge as a 78th-minute substitute, the moment of genuine class arrived.
Frank Lampard, serenaded by Chelsea supporters throughout the second half after scoring his 200th goal for the club, turned to Terry and held out the captain’s armband.
It was symbolic, touching the hearts and minds of the 40,000 supporters who have lived the dream with this celebrated Chelsea pair over the years.
Terry, playing in his first Barclays Premier League game at the Bridge since injuring his right knee against Liverpool on November 11, declined. It was Lampard’s day again.
Together they have won the Champions League, three Barclays Premier League titles and four FA Cups in the Roman Abramovich era. They know what it means to win, often dragging this team over the line in times of adversity.
Yesterday they were reunited on the edge of the centre circle, reaching out to each other even though their careers are filled with uncertainty.
Terry is the third-choice  central defender under Rafa Benitez, who rotated his squad for a routine victory over West Ham.
Lampard , who was pulled to one side last month and told he would be offered another year at the club he loves, is still waiting for Chelsea to crunch the numbers.
On the field it’s all adding up, especially after he arrived to direct Eden Hazard’s  tantalising cross beyond Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 19th minute. To do it against the club who sold him to Chelsea for £11million in 2001 must have been really special.
He immediately headed for Terry, who was warming up — quite provocatively — in front of visiting supporters. They celebrated together, sharing a nostalgic trip down memory lane before Michael Oliver, the referee, ordered them to restart.
Lampard is just two goals behind record Chelsea scorer Bobby Tambling after 595 appearances.
‘It’s one of my best days, but winning the Champions League and the Premier League are the best,’ he said.
‘To get to 200 goals, a record I never thought I would get near, means so much. Everyone keeps talking about the record but I would rather people kept quiet. The important thing is to score goals to win games.
‘We are in good form and there is a good feeling about the place and we need to carry it on until the end of the season.’
At 34, Lampard still has a magnificent engine, running the show in the first half as Hazard and Juan Mata provided the sweetest of touches on either wing.
The midfield trio excelled,  sparking off each other as Chelsea prepare to challenge champions Manchester City for second place.
Suddenly it all seems possible, with Benitez’s brief to finish in the top four becoming a bit more realistic after an impressive victory.
It’s been a good week for Benitez, with something stirring after that memorable comeback in the FA Cup against Manchester United.
Chelsea are a team again,  shrugging off the troubles which characterise just about any season at this club. At times they were outstanding, picking West Ham off in a breathtaking opening spell.
Hammers fans are unhappy, with cries of ‘Paolo Di Canio’ surfacing at the end of the first half. They weren’t so bad, with Andy Carroll providing some muscular help for Matt Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te.
Petr Cech, reliable in Chelsea’s goal again, got down well to save efforts from Mo Diame and substitute Carlton Cole. Carroll should have scored a consolation, of sorts, in the final minute. Chelsea had scored a second just after the break.
Hammers captain Winston Reid was a tormented soul by the end, turned inside out by the runs of Hazard, Mata and Victor Moses.
This time it was Hazard, starting and finishing the move when he lost Reid before clipping his effort inside Jaaskelainen’s post.
‘They had the game’s outstanding players and we didn’t do enough to stop them,’ said Allardyce. ‘Mata and Hazard are a handful, but we should have done a lot better.’
It turned into a face-saving exercise for West Ham but Chelsea push on for a bigger prize. The FA Cup and Europa League are twin targets but the top four is the minimum requirement for Benitez. To do it, he will rely on his captain.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Luiz (Terry, 78), Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mata (Mikel 85), Moses (Oscar, 70), Hazard, Ba

Subs not used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Terry, Bertrand, Torres

Goals: Lampard 19, Hazard 50

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins (Tomkins, 61), Demel, Jarvis, Collison, Diame (Taylor, 46), O'Neil, Carroll, Vaz Te (Cole, 80)

Subs not used: Speigel, McCartney, Pogatetz, Chamakh

Booked: Reid, Demel

Referee: Michael Oliver
Att: 41639

--------------

Mirror:

Chelsea 2-0 West Ham: Frank Lampard closes in on goal record after reaching double century
Martin Lipton

They sang in honour of their hero, a landmark moment that was written in the stars.
If Frank Lampard was going to score his 200th Chelsea goal, it was surely destined to come against West Ham, the perfect revenge for 12 years of ritual abuse from Hammers fans.
As Lampard rose to head past Jussi Jaaskelainen at Stamford Bridge and move within two goals of Bobby Tambling’s club record, nobody could deny him the moment, or the response to more than a decade of invective, ignoring the missiles that rained down on him.
But with no concrete contract offer on the table, and less than three months left on his current deal, Lampard is aware that the changing of the guard is coming, that he is set to exit the scene, leaving only memories.
Within an hour of the final whistle, it was being reported in the USA that Lampard had been close to signing a deal with Los Angeles Galaxy last week. It looks like end-game.
And it was equally fitting that the source of the goal that gave Lampard what he wanted was the man who could replace him in cult idol status.
Eden Hazard may have taken a while to really come to terms with English football but now he is finding his feet the scale of his talent is becoming evident.
Yesterday, to the delight of Rafa Benitez and angst of Sam Allardyce, Hazard simply took West Ham to the cleaners as Chelsea made full toll of Spurs’ Fulham car-crash.
Hazard was simply mesmerising, his link-up with the equally fleet-footed Juan Mata exhilarating as Chelsea produced arguably their best 90-minute performance since Roberto Di Matteo was axed.
West Ham had no answers and quite how this wasn’t over and done with by the break was hard to believe as Hazard illuminated the afternoon.
Then again, maybe it’s Chelsea, or Stamford Bridge, becoming a Bermuda Triangle for strikers - they end up in SW6 and forget everything that earned them the move in the first place.
Demba Ba’s stock with the Blues fans has risen in the past three months in direct relation to the stick ladled out to Fernando Torres, even though the Senegalese has only scored four since his £7million move.
Yet he had enough chances to double that tally in the first half alone - either side of Lampard’s piece of club history - and could not take any of them.
The worst miss came at the start, just seven minutes in, as Lampard’s first-time ball put Ba in behind James Collins, the goal at his mercy.
Ba, though, did not so much miss the target as almost miss the six-yard box, an absolute horror-show.
Enter Lampard, all alone seven yards out, planting Hazard’s delightful cross beyond the groping fingers of Jussi Jasskelainen, the coins that had been hurled at the warming-up John Terry seconds earlier now aimed at him.
When that quietened down, it did not get any better for Ba, two shots in a minute before the break far too close to the keeper when he should have done much better.
Fortunately for Chelsea, they did not matter, such was their total dominance.
Andy Carroll had an “equaliser” chalked off for a shove on David Luiz and Mohamed Diame was blocked by Ramires.
Those aside, though, it was a coconut shy, orchestrated by the brilliance of Hazard and Mata.
Jaaskelainen saved well from Luiz, who then thrashed a spectacular volley into the side-netting, with the Hammers keeper relieved to see efforts from Victor Moses and Mata flash narrowly wide.
But five minutes after the break, West Ham were undone again by the sheer brilliance of Hazard, who got the goal his dazzling display deserved.
The Belgian looked boxed-in on the right flank but a superb exchange with Mata was followed by a burst of pace past Winston Reid before Hazard’s left-footer found the bottom corner.
Game over? Absolutely, although Allardyce was probably relieved Chelsea did not take the chances that came their way, Mata and Ba among those failing to make the most of opportunities.
By the end, with a knock for Luiz allowing Terry his first home league outing since November, Chelsea were rampant.
Carlton Cole might have nudged one in - Petr Cech made a reaction stop - but Lampard, of all people, spooned over from eight yards.
The record will have to wait, for a couple of weeks. But for once Benitez avoided the normal chorus of disdain. It’s been a good week for him and Chelsea.

How they rated
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 7; Azpilicueta 7, Cahill 6, Luiz 8 (Terry, 78, 6), Cole 7; Ramires 7, Lampard 7; Moses 6 (Oscar, 70, 6), Mata 8 (Mikel, 86, 6), Hazard 9; Ba 5
West Ham (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen 7; Demel 6, Collins 5 (Tomkins, 61, 6), Reid 6, O’Brien 5; Vaz Te 5 (C Coole, 80, 5), Collison 6, O’Neil 6, Diame 6 (Taylor, 46, 5), Jarvis 7; Carroll 6
Referee: Michael Oliver
Man of the Match: Hazard - quite magnificent


================

Sun:

EDEN HAZARD’S warning lights are flashing very brightly indeed.
Shaun Custis

All the signs are that Chelsea’s £32million Belgian is right back up to speed with English football.
After an impressive start to his Blues career, the winger went through a dip in form, but he ran the show as his side went third in the table and put the heat on Manchester City above them.
Frank Lampard took the headlines for his 200th Chelsea goal — and one against his former club to boot.
But Hazard was the stand-out performer, creating that opener and scoring a magnificent second.
It has been quite a week for Chelsea.
At half-time last Sunday it looked like their season was fizzling out when they were 2-0 down to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Their fans were ripping into their interim boss singing “Rafa Benitez we don’t want you here” and “You don’t know what you’re doing”.
But there followed a fantastic comeback to force a draw and earn a replay.
They then overturned a first-leg deficit against Steaua Bucharest to reach the last eight of the Europa League.
And this was a comprehensive victory.
Chelsea fans may never accept Benitez. But they have learned that it is a pointless exercise making their feelings known during the game and creating a poisonous atmosphere.
There was not a murmur against him yesterday.
Benitez is disparagingly referred to as ‘a fat Spanish waiter’ but he is serving up some top-class cuisine for the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Blues could finish second and win two trophies... and goodness knows how the supporters will deal with that.
As for West Ham, they are not out of the relegation woods yet.
Wigan’s success against Newcastle has pulled them nearer to the dogfight but they have games coming up against the likes of West Brom, Southampton and Wigan which are all winnable.
Chelsea really should have had this done and dusted by half-time.
Chance after chance went begging and former Hammers striker Demba Ba was having the sort of afternoon which you usually associate with Fernando Torres.
Three times Ba got free on goal and failed with each attempt.
His first was a shocker. He did well to time his run to take Lampard’s pass and get away from James Collins. But, as Jussi Jaaskelainen came out, Ba seemed to panic and his right-footer was well wide.
He had another effort which was easily saved by the visitors’ keeper and just before the break the Finn blocked with his outstretched left foot when Ba ought to have done better.
At least Blues did have one goal on the board by then courtesy of Lampard.
The prelude to the midfielder’s header was West Ham fans giving sub John Terry non-stop verbals down by the corner flag.
Terry responded with some back-chat, turned to wiggle his backside in their direction in the guise of warming up then got showered with coins and plastic bottles.
He picked some of the coins up as if lifting a trophy just to irritate them even more.
And how he loved it when, after Hazard’s shot was pushed out by Jaaskelainen, the Belgian clipped the ball back in to the box and Lampard rose unmarked to head in on 19 minutes.
The midfielder who has been getting dog’s abuse from West Ham supporters for 12 years since leaving the East London club, absolutely milked it.
Lamps ran off towards Terry and those fans who hate him slapping the Chelsea badge in triumph.
David Luiz nearly made it two with a low free-kick around the wall which Jaaskelainen pushed past the post.
Victor Moses also turned and hit a right foot shot wide, Juan Mata was close with a 20-yard curler and Luiz’s volley hit the side-netting.
Somehow West Ham were still in it at the break although Andy Carroll had had one disallowed for pushing Luiz in the back before shooting past Petr Cech.
Had Ramires not got in a superb tackle to halt Mohamed Diame’s run, they might have gone in all square. Instead, Chelsea doubled their lead five minutes into the second half.
The outstanding Hazard ghosted in from the right, took a return from Mata and skipped past Winston Reid before firing left-footed beyond Jaaskelainen.
Mata and Hazard were almost telepathic, passing West Ham to death.
Mata was unlucky not to score when Jaaskelainen denied him and it was a struggle for the visitors to get out of their own half.
Reid got so fed up with Mata it was inevitable when he got booked for hauling pulling back the Spaniard.
Then a Lampard free-kick was deflected and Jaaskelainen held on. And Ba’s day did not get any better after he went on another run pursued by Reid but shot wide.
Lampard, too, showed that he was fallible by skying an attempt high over the bar from eight yards.
West Ham offered little threat but Carroll held the ball up well up front and twice headed over as Sam Allardyce’s side tried to get themselves back in it.
Sub Carlton Cole also poked out a leg late on to meet Matt Jarvis’ cross only for Cech to hold on.
But, when Chelsea are in this mood, they are capable of beating anybody.
Viva Rafa!

DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN — EDEN HAZARD (CHELSEA)

CHELSEA: Cech 6, Azpilicueta 5, Cahill 6, Luiz 7 (Terry 5), Cole 6, Ramires 6, Lampard 7, Moses 6 (Oscar 5), Mata 7 (Mikel 5), Hazard 8, Ba 5. Subs not used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Torres, Bertrand.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen 6, Demel 5, Collins 6 (Tomkins 6), Reid 6, O’Brien 5, O’Neil 5, Diame 5 (Taylor 5), Collison 6, Jarvis 6, Vaz Te 5 (C Cole 5), Carroll 6. Subs not used: Spiegel, McCartney, Pogatez, Chamakh. Booked: Reid, Demel.
REF: M Oliver 6

=============

Express:

Chelsea 2 - West Ham 0: For the record, Frank's on song

FRANK LAMPARD has always had a knack for scoring on the big occasion, for making his mark at just the right moment. He was at it again yesterday.

Tony Banks

Lampard is on the verge of becoming Chelsea's all-time leading scorer
A trademark run into the penalty area, an almost instinctive drift into space and there he was, leaping to nod Eden Hazard’s lovely chip over Jussi Jaaskelainen into the net.
Typical Lampard. A moment we have seen so often over the 18 years of his career.
This though was history. His 200th goal for Chelsea, making him the second-highest scorer in the club’s history. Two behind Bobby Tambling, a mark that he will surely pass in the last nine weeks of the season.
Lampard, 34, still in talks with the club about a new deal though looking likelier now to be playing his football in the USA at LA Galaxy next year, said: “It is one of my best days. Obviously, winning the Champions League and league titles are the best, but personally getting 200 goals for the club, I never thought I would touch that so I am pleased.
“Everyone keeps talking about the record. I would rather people kept quiet. The important thing is trying to win games.”
Especially pleasing must have been the fact the goal came against his old club, whose fans have mercilessly baited him since he left Upton Park for Chelsea in 2001. But it was team-mate and substitute John Terry who the Hammers fans were mainly abusing yesterday, as he warmed up in front of them.
When Lampard instinctively went over to Terry to celebrate as if in support, a hail of coins and bottles showered them.
Chelsea could be in trouble if fourth official Howard Webb reports the incident. But it was not a moment that was going to overshadow Lampard’s big day, or for that matter, a superb performance from Hazard, which inspired Chelsea to a comfortable victory in a game they could and should have won by more.
With Tottenham losing as well, it was a result that went a long way to strengthening their hold on a top-four place.
Rafa Benitez was delighted with the performance and with a week which also saw his team progress in the Europa League, and earn an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United.
It has been a tough four months for the interim manager,but this last week has probably been the best. He said: “I’m really pleased with the performance and the clean sheet, and that Frank has scored 200 goals. A fantastic achievement for any player, but especially for a midfielder.”
The catalyst for a fine Chelsea performance was the effervescent Hazard, who has emerged from something of a mid-season slump to hit peak form at a very good time for his club.
He wrapped up the game with a fine second-half strike and Benitez said: “We never had any doubts about Eden’s quality. It was just about finding the relationship and link with the other players. He is a player who can make a difference.”
Chelsea dominated pretty much from start to finish. Demba Ba, in particular, could have had four goals, each time being put through one on one with Jaaskelainen, yet each time failing to score.
After Lampard broke the deadlock Andy Carroll, who battled up front for West Ham virtually on his own, got the ball in the net but was penalised for pushing.
It was as close to a goal as West Ham got all day, after yet another limp awayday show. Chelsea dominated and five minutes after half- time Hazard exchanged passes with Juan Mata and skipped past two challenges to drill his shot into the corner.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, his side now just six points above the drop zone, said: “I’m always worried until we’re mathematically safe. You never stop worrying.”

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 7; Azpilicueta 7, Cahill 7, Luiz 7 (Terry 78, 6), Cole 7; Ramires 7, Lampard 7; Hazard 8, Mata 7 (Mikel 85), Moses 7 (Oscar 70, 6); Ba 7. Goals: Lampard 19, Hazard 50.

West Ham (4-4-1-1): Jaaskelainen 7; Demel 6, Collins 6 (Tomkins 61, 6), Reid 5, O’Brien 6; O’Neil 6, Collison 6, Diame 6 (Taylor 46, 6), Jarvis 6; Vaz Te 5 (Carlton Cole 80); Carroll 6. Booked: Reid, Demel.
Referee: M Oliver (Northumberland).

==================

Star:

Chelsea 2 - West Ham 0: John Terry's childish act steal's Lampard's limelight

Paul Brown

WEST HAM always seem to bring the best out of Frank Lampard – and the worst out of John Terry.
Lampard just loves scoring against his old club and hit another milestone with his latest strike against them, notching his 200th goal for Chelsea.
Every one of those has just served to underline what the Hammers have missed since he quit the club to join the Blues in an £11m transfer in 2001.
Lampard is now only two goals behind Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer Bobby Tambling – and missed enough chances yesterday to have broken that record.
As he celebrated his opener in front of the Hammers fans, he was pelted with missiles by a set of supporters who have never liked him.
Terry too is a former West Ham youth player – and it was partly his fault that things turned nasty in what turned out to be a tame District Line derby on the pitch.
The England defender always takes abuse from Hammers fans and never shies away from giving some back.
But this time he managed it before he even made it on to the pitch, responding to the usual taunts about his family by showing them his backside as he was warming up.
Then when Lampard scored he sprinted down the touchline to celebrate right in front of them, provoking the hail of objects which followed.
You’d think West Ham fans would keep quiet. But the usual chants about Terry’s mum and Lampard’s supposedly ballooning waistline just seemed to get the pair going.
Eden Hazard added insult to injury for the Hammers by hitting a second shortly after the break to take Chelsea back above Tottenham into third in the table.
As for the Hammers, they have now taken just one point from their last SEVEN visits to Stamford Bridge since they won here in 2002 with two goals from Paolo Di Canio. A happy hunting ground it is not.
West Ham should have been fresh after coming into the game following a two-week break. In that time, Chelsea had played three times, most recently in Thursday’s win over Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League.
The Blues are going to have to cope with the fatigue factor – and have a gruelling spell of six games in 16 days after the international break.
They looked anything but tired at the start of this match, though, roaring out of the blocks to put the visitors firmly on the back foot.
Benitez freshened things up by replacing Torres – who hit the winner against Steaua – with Demba Ba and also recalled Lampard, Gary Cahill and Victor Moses.
But Ba was responsible for a horrible miss with just six minutes gone as Ramires split the Hammers back four with a pinpoint through ball to put him clear.
It looked a certain goal but with only Jussi Jaaskelainen to beat, Ba laced his shot about a mile wide of the target.
When these two teams last met in December, Chelsea took the lead before falling apart in the second half to lose 3-1.
And the Blues opened the scoring again – but only after some real pantomime stuff from Terry and the Hammers fans.
The Chelsea defender rightly took exception to the unsavoury chants about his family. But the way he responded was provocative, childish and unnecessary.
So it was no surprise when the missiles rained down after Lampard headed home Hazard’s cross from the edge of the box.
The trouble was, the whole incident could so easily have been avoided – and it totally took the gloss off Lampard’s achievement.
The man has scored 12 Premier League goals this season alone, putting both Torres and Ba to shame. Those two only have nine league goals for Chelsea between them.
Ba continued to miss chances, with Jaaskelainen inspired in goal, while Andy Carroll had a strike ruled out at the other end for a clear push on David Luiz.
Chelsea were in complete control by the time Hazard made it two, cutting inside a feeble attempt at a tackle from Winston Reid to bury a low shot past Jaaskelainen in the 50th minute.
The Hammers barely threatened until seven minutes to go when substitute Carlton Cole stabbed a cross from Matt Jarvis goalwards – but Petr Cech got down well to hold on.
Lampard should have grabbed his second when Oscar picked him out with a cut-back eight yards from goal but he spooned his shot high over the bar.
In the end it did not matter as Chelsea held on for a comfortable win.
But this was a lifeless performance from West Ham, who are still not safe from the drop and must improve if they want to avoid a white-knuckle end to the campaign. 200th goal sparks ugly scenes at Bridge.

Steaua Bucharest 3-1

Independent:
Chelsea 3 Steaua Bucharest 1
Fernando Torres ends his drought to clear Chelsea's Europa path
Jack Pitt-Brooke

Rafael Benitez's hopes of finishing his Stamford Bridge tenure with a trophy were improved tonight as a Fernando Torres winner sent Chelsea through to the Europa League quarter-finals. On a notably positive night at the Bridge, Chelsea beat Steaua Bucharest 3-1, winning the tie 3-2, thanks to Torres' goal with 19 minutes left, although the struggling striker missed a penalty in the final minutes.
While Chelsea's early play was more patient than penetrative, Steaua pushed forward looking for a crucial away goal. Petr Cech had to make a sharp save from Raul Rusescu after John Terry had been dragged out of place and turned. Alexandru Bourceanu went close from distance and Chelsea were at risk of slipping behind before they started.
But the quality of their players paid off when Chelsea went 1-0 with a delightful goal after 33 minutes. Juan Mata had the ball in the middle of the pitch and drove forward, shuffling past tackles and passing to Ramires on the edge of the box. Mata continued his run, took the return pass, turned another defender and his shot was deflected through the goalkeeper's legs, onto the post and in.
When Chelsea are confident they can still play very well and six minutes later they nearly scored another excellent goal. Eden Hazard came in from the left, exchanged passes with Mata and – with little space – let off a shot which Ciprian Tatarusanu saved. It was slip-up they regretted in first-half added time when Steaua scored their crucial away goal. A corner fell to Cristian Tanase, whose shot was blocked by Petr Cech's legs, but it fell straight to Vlad Chiriches who fired it into the roof of the net, sending the Steaua players to half-time in celebration.
So Chelsea needed two second-half goals to progress, with no prospect of extra time. But as in the first half they struggled to find their rhythm early, despite the best efforts of Mata, who received a nasty kick to the ankle. Yet it was another Steaua foul which gave Chelsea the breakthrough.
Cornel Rapa lunged at Hazard, running down the left wing, and was deservedly booked. Mata swung in the free-kick and Terry rose highest – utterly unmarked – at the near post and headed powerfully past Tatarusanu. Steaua knew they might need a second away goal and so they attacked too, Tanase testing Cech from the edge of the box after a swift counter-attack.
But Steaua's pursuits made space for Chelsea and, with 19 minutes left, their quality told again. Mata cut in from the right and passed to Hazard, who flicked the ball to Torres behind him. The Spanish striker shuffled inside Lukasz Szukala and shot into the bottom corner.
This was a rare pleasure for Torres – he had not scored since January – but disappointment was to follow when he was denied a penalty after being tripped by Szukala in the box and then kicked in the face. Chelsea were eventually awarded a penalty for a foul on Hazard but Torres, still searching for unambiguous success, hit the bar.

Man of the match Mata.
Match rating 5/10.
Referee S Lannoy (Fr).
Attendance 28,817.

============

Guardian:

Fernando Torres strikes as Chelsea fight back to beat Steaua Bucharest
Paul Doyle at Stamford Bridge

Fernando Torres sniffed out the goal that kept Chelsea in Europe but was still left with his nose out of joint. A topsy-turvy outing for the Spaniard was the main feature of a match that ended in a victory that his club clearly craved but which could yet prove costly.
These are intriguing times at Stamford Bridge. Rafael Benítez understandably accentuated the positive after a night on which his team came from behind to beat an impressive Steaua Bucharest side and Torres ended an epic barren spell but still took a battering to both his nose and his confidence. Torres scored a fine goal in the 71st minute but then missed a late penalty.
Chelsea's progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League condemns them to frantic cramming for the end of the campaign, with the FA Cup replay against Manchester United on 1 April meaning Chelsea must contest six matches in 16 days after next week's international break. That is sure to test the resilience and depth of the team that currently sits fourth in the Premier League as they strive to avert the ignominy of missing out on Champions League qualification.
"Top teams want to be in all competitions until the end," said an undaunted Benítez. "Since I came here I think we are playing around nine games each month. We knew it would be difficult but we have confidence in the players and hopefully we can manage well and progress in all of them."
The manager was similarly upbeat about Torres's penalty miss, claiming that the fact that the beleaguered striker felt like taking it was more significant than that his shot bounced back off the crossbar.
Last season Torres eschewed a spot kick at Birmingham when he was enduring a fruitless spell but this time, having scored to claim only his second goal of 2013 – the other was against Brentford in the FA Cup – he stepped up. "I am pleased that he took the responsibility more than he missed the penalty," said Benítez. "That is good for his confidence and for the future." The miss came moments after Torres's nose had been bloodied in a collision with the boot of Steaua's Lukasz Szukala.
Torres's confidence was bolstered by a goal that was sweetly taken and decisive. It came 19 minutes from time, when Eden Hazard deftly helped a Juan Mata pass on to Torres, who showed admirable sharpness to sidestep Szukala and fire into the far corner of the net from 10 yards. That completed a turnaround that was far from simple for Chelsea.
Benítez, whose quest for some silverware to show from his interim reign meant he was determined not to sacrifice this competition for the sake of the league, named a much stronger line-up than the one that started last week's 1-0 defeat in Bucharest, but their hopes of making an early breakthrough were thwarted by the relentless pressing of the dynamic visitors.
Steaua should have opened the scoring from their first attack, when Mikel John Obi was dispossessed midway inside his own half and John Terry failed to cut out a through-ball to Raul Rusescu, who scampered through on goal, only to be denied by Petr Cech's agility.
Chelsea finally forced Steaua's goalkeeper into action in the 16th minute, when Ciprian Tatarusanu comfortably collected a Mata free-kick. Steaua, increasingly confident as Chelsea struggled to match their energy, broke straight down the other end and Alexandru Bourceanu curled a 25-yard shot just wide. This was not a side that had come solely to cling on to their first-leg lead.
Hazard was Chelsea's chief early threat, constantly wriggling and probing for openings. In the 22nd minute he dribbled down the right before setting up that rarest of phenomena, a shot on target from Mikel. Tatarusanu repelled the Nigerian's 20-yard drive.
When Chelsea eventually raised their intensity, they got a goal. Oscar won the ball on halfway and slipped it through to Mata, who evaded one tackle before offloading to Ramires and darting into the box to take the return pass and slot the ball under Tatarusanu from 15 yards.
Chelsea looked to take charge. Torres fired wide from 16 yards and then Tatarusanu batted away a bullet from Hazard following lovely interplay between the Belgian and Mata.
But Chelsea knocked off early for half-time and Steaua punished them. A 45th-minute corner was poorly dealt with by Chelsea, with Torres and Ramires failing to get decisive touches at the near post, leaving Cristian Tanase to shoot from close range. Cech scrambled that effort off the line but Vlad Chiriches reacted first to slam the ball into the roof of the net for a potentially damaging away goal.
Benítez looked agitated on the sideline but apparently was not sufficiently alarmed to make substitutions at the interval. Steaua also opted to carry on as before and that looked wise as they enjoyed the better of the second half. It took a set piece in the 58th minute for Chelsea to edge back in front, Terry heading into the net from seven yards after a Mata free-kick from the left. Then Torres took centre stage to settle the tie and leave his state-of-mind and Chelsea's season fascinatingly cluttered.


==================

Telegraph:

Chelsea 3 Steaua Bucharest 1 agg 3-2

Henry Winter

Fernando Torres guided Chelsea into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with the key third goal but then missed a penalty. Just when Torres looks a confident predator again, he slips back.
On a night of eventual celebrations for Chelsea, this was frustrating for Torres. The Spaniard so needs the sort of belief that a second goal might have given him but at least he can reflect that his earlier, cooler finish had proved so important for Chelsea, who go into today’s draw after a performance that was less than convincing.

From the start, this had been a tense, nervy night. Trailing by a goal from the first leg, Chelsea had immediately launched themselves into the Romanians. Their creative trident of Oscar, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard was soon jabbing away at the Steaua defence, making shooting chances for Ramires and John Obi Mikel, both blocked.
Pushing for a goal which arrived after 34 minutes, Chelsea were occasionally exposed on the counter. Steaua felt some vulnerability in the hosts. Mikel was caught in possession, allowing the visitors’ striker Raul Rusescu to get ahead of the slow-reacting John Terry.
As so often down the years, Petr Cech rescued Chelsea. Terry made amends for his mistake with a strong clearing header from Alexandru Bourceanu’s corner.
Until just before the break, Chelsea seemed in control. Hazard’s dribbling kept carrying the ball deep into the final third, his change of pace and direction bemusing the Romanians; one of them was left sliding across the turf as Hazard headed down a different route.
He twisted in again, laying the ball back to Mikel, whose shot was pushed away by the diving Ciprian Tatarusanu, however Steaua’s goalkeeper was beaten after 34 minutes. David Luiz won the ball in midfield and Mata ghosted forward, soon finding Ramires and continuing into the box. The Brazilian completed the exchange, and Mata scored with a shot that clipped Tatarusanu and crept in off the post. The finish did not capture the elegance of the build-up but Chelsea did not care; they were level on aggregate. Chelsea stayed in control. Oscar and Mata created an opportunity for the labouring Torres, who had replaced the ineligible Demba Ba.
The Spaniard shot wide, his profligacy a contrast to his second-half expertise. Chelsea attacked again, this time down the left where Cesar Azpilicueta was momentarily filling in for Ashley Cole.
Azpilicueta and Hazard combined, again forcing Steaua into some emergency repairs. Hazard was looking to add a second and tested Tatarusanu.
Yet there was such belief to this Romanian team. Their fans were loud, very loud, twirling their scarves above their heads, a contrast to the Chelsea supporters who seemed underwhelmed by the Europa League. As the half drew to a close, Steaua built for that equaliser.
Adrian Popa made a dangerous run, racing towards the line until Cole did superbly to clear. Still the danger stalked those in blue shirts. Maybe Chelsea became distracted and complacent by the imminent whistle for half-time.
They were so disorganised at a Steaua corner in the 45th minute. When Iasmin Latovevici swung across the ball, Chelsea froze. Cech saved Cristian Tanase’s shot. Vlad Chiriches was quickest to the loose ball, slamming it into the roof of the net.
The Romanians celebrated their away goal wildly, knowing that Chelsea needed two. Chelsea scored one of them 13 minutes into the second half. Mata’s free-kick was aimed perfectly for the run of Terry, who was unmarked and headed unerringly past Tatarusanu. Chelsea fans made it abundantly clear the depth of their admiration for their captain.
Steaua’s captain, Bourceanu, was living dangerously, seemingly on a mission to clatter Mata. Steaua’s No 55 first caught Mata with a cynical challenge from behind, clearly designed to stop the Spaniard’s progress. Bourceanu was cautioned and was then fortunate that the referee, Stephane Lannoy, failed to notice a subsequent hack at Mata.
Chelsea still required a goal. Their fans tried to lift them but there were still scares.
Alexandru Chipciu’s shot suddenly came flying at Cech when Luiz ducked. Chelsea’s keeper still pushed the ball away, albeit less than gracefully.
Chelsea then got the goal they craved. Mata played the creator, teasing the ball to Hazard on the edge of the area, who tricked Steaua’s defence. The ball continued to Torres, who struck his 17th of the season with a low shot from left to right past Tatarusanu.
Moments later, Torres appealed for a penalty when turning away from Lukasz Skukala. Steaua were convinced he dived. Torres just shook his head in disbelief, even acquiring an accidental kick on the nose from Skukala as he ran past. Torres had a bloody nose and needed a shirt without his name on the back. Lannoy then told him to go and have the bleeding staunched.
The man with no name in his shirt returned with a proper top and seemed transformed. He was now a creature of confidence, turning defenders, shooting fractionally wide. The game remained a testy affair. Cole caught Popa. Steaua had lost their rhythm and vigour. Their fans kept jumping up and down, singing endlessly. The ball disappeared down the other end, Ramires running forward and then letting Torres take up the running. He was just a different player now. He really troubled Steaua’s defenders who gathered in numbers to close him down. This was what Roman Abramovich had wanted when investing £50 million in bringing Torres from Liverpool.
Torres now has to show such form game in, game out.
Chelsea should have prevented any enduring nerves four minutes left. Hazard was clearly fouled by Bourceanu, who somehow stayed on. Torres demanded the ball as Lannoy pointed to the spot.
He took a long run-up to the penalty, looking confident but his penalty hit the bar and whistled over into the Matthew Harding Stand.

Teams in the quarter-final draw:
Basle (Switzerland)
Benfica (Portugal)
Chelsea (England)
Fanerbahce (Turkey)
Lazio (Italy)
Newcastle (England)
Rubin Kazan (Russia)
Tottenham (England)

==============

Mail:

Chelsea 3 Steaua Bucharest 1 (agg 3-2):
Torres finds his nose for goal as Blues survive scare to progress into last eight

By MATT BARLOW

Fernando Torres emerged as Chelsea’s bloody hero on a frantic night when the beleaguered striker finally found the net and got a nosebleed.
For 20 minutes, fuelled by the rage of a boot in the face by Steaua Bucharest’s Lukasz Szukala as he lay on the turf, Torres was brilliant, like a £50million man possessed.
It was as if someone had turned back his body clock but there remained a hint of comedy about it all as fans celebrated his second goal in 1,325 minutes since Christmas with chants of, ‘Fernando Torres, he scores when he wants’.
His other goal in that time was an important late equaliser in the FA Cup at Brentford and this was the winner which transformed another sobering cup exit into a place in Friday’s draw for the quarter-finals.
Chelsea were far from impressive but they forced their way past the Romanian league leaders with  John Terry and Juan Mata also on target. There were 19 minutes left when Torres struck, collecting a flick from Eden Hazard, manoeuvring the ball on to his left foot and sliding it low across the keeper. It gave his team the edge and, moments later, he thought he had earned a penalty when he twisted past Szukala and hit the ground.
Torres was searching for the  penalty, no doubt, dangling his leg for contact. Slight contact was made and it was right under the nose of the one of the additional assistant referees.
As the Chelsea striker lay on his belly in disbelief, the same Steaua defender lumbered past and kicked him, cutting his face with his studs. Blood poured on to his shirt and Torres spent quite some time on the touchline trying to plug the flow.
He reappeared briefly wearing a shirt with no name or number but the officials ordered him back off to wipe up more blood and find another shirt with the right letters and number on the back.
Upon his return, Torres appeared energised by his anger, sprinting and chasing with pace and energy rarely seen from him this season.
When Hazard won a penalty, he grabbed the ball, planted it on the spot and smashed it against the bar. When he burrowed down the right and produced a chance in added time for Yossi Benayoun, the Israeli missed his kick.
It proved a frenetic end to a fascinating tie. Steaua were still fighting until the end in a strange atmosphere in front of fewer than 29,000 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had suspended ticket sales on Wednesday afternoon after becoming aware many home tickets were finding their way into the possession of Romanian fans.
When Vlad Chiriches slammed in what looked set to be a vital away goal, seconds before half-time, pockets of Steaua support erupted in all corners of the stadium.
It as an untidy goal. Torres blocked a corner but it dropped to Cristian Tanase who stabbed a shot at goal. Petr Cech, who found himself busier than he would have hoped during the first half, saved but the rebound fell for Chiriches to lash it high into the net.
It cancelled out Mata’s opener, squeezed beneath Ciprian Tatarusanu after a quick counter-attack.
Terry stepped forward in the second half.  On the day Rio Ferdinand returned to the England squad the Chelsea skipper was never likely to lurk quietly in the background.
It was his powerful header from a Mata free-kick, 13 minutes after the break, which breathed belief into the European champions.
From this point, Chelsea seized the initiative. They remain in the hunt for two trophies and on course to play more than 70 games in a long and winding campaign.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Torres.

Subs not used: Turnbull, Lampard, Moses, Ferreira, Cahill, Benayoun, Bertrand.
Booked: Cole, Mikel.
Goals: Mata 33, Terry 58, Torres 71.

Steaua Bucharest: Tatarusanu, Rapa, Szukala, Chiriches, Latovlevici, Bourceanu, Pintilii, Popa, Chipciu, Tanase, Rusescu.

Subs not used: Stanca, Gardos, Filip, Prepelita, Tatu, Iancu, Adi.
Booked: Rapa, Bourceanu.
Goal: Chiriches 45.

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)
Attendance: 28,817.

=============

Mirror:

Chelsea 3-1 Steaua Bucharest (3-2 agg):
Fernando Torres the hero as Blues reach Europa League's quarter-finals
By Martin Lipton

He's become more used to boos than cheers, been transformed from the most-feared striker in Europe to something of a laughing stock.
One goal will not change that as far as Fernando Torres is concerned, not when it was only his second in almost 22 hours of football.
But at least on Thursday, bloodied but unbowed, Torres scored a goal that REALLY mattered, for Chelsea and for Rafa Benitez - even if it leaves them with the mother of all fixture pile-ups.
It was the sort of goal that became his trademark at Liverpool, a ruthless, unerring finish, making the vital half-yard, picking his spot, burying it in the corner.
The sort of goal that persuaded Chelsea to spend £50million on him.
And a goal that completed another Chelsea comeback, their second in five days, and which this time brought victory and not just a replay.
Of course, nothing in Torresland is ever that easy, that simple.
Fresh from his moment of glory - the perfect end to a terrific move begun by the mesmeric, majestic, Juan Mata, carried on by Eden Hazard's sublime dummy - it seemed that Torres was revitalised.
It was a goal that crowned a comeback which, while not as important, carried echoes of Napoli 12 months ago, although Benitez will never receive the acclaim that greeted Roberto Di Matteo.
 Chelsea had been staring into the Euro abyss at half-time, shoddy defending presenting a chance to defender Vlad Chiriches, seemingly set to be the latest Romanian to be named Vlad the Impaler.
That more than cancelled out Mata's terrific opener, receiving from David Luiz, driving on, exchanging with Ramires and forcing his 18th of the season off the inside of keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu's right thigh.
Even when Mata's free-kick just before the hour was met by the forehead of skipper John Terry, powered down and in off the near post, Chelsea were going out on the away goals rule.
Suddenly, though, the mood inside the Bridge was transformed, the attitude too and nobody more than Torres.
Where he had been hapless in the first half, his cause not helped when his near-post block teed up Cristian Tanase for the shot which was pushed only as far as Chiriches, now he was lithe and alert, popping up where a world-class striker is supposed to be.
That was the position, pulling off the defender's shoulder, finding the target when Hazard's slight of foot let the ball run through, from which he scored his 15th of the season.
Maybe, too late perhaps, it will be a turning point for Torres at Chelsea.
Stamford Bridge sensed it too, bellowing its collective support every time he saw the ball, demanding a penalty when he fell in the box, braying for revenge when the Spaniard was kicked in the face by defender Lukasz Szukala as he lay on the ground.
And when Hazard was downed by Steaua skipper Alexandru Bourceanu, the French referee pointing to the spot, Torres accepted responsibility.
The keeper was sent the wrong way, Torres aimed for the top corner and was left cursing his disbelief as the ball pinged off the bar and into the Matthew Harding Stand.
Had Steaua's late assualt brought another away goal, dumping Chelsea out, you suspect Torres would never have been able to live it down.
Thankfully for the Spaniard, the Romanians were repelled, Chelsea's name will be in today's last eight draw in Nyon, Benitez and his Blues may yet share a trophy before the decree nisi becomes permanent.
The reward? Four games in nine days, including an FA Cup quarter-final replay.
Only at Chelsea!
The Spaniard netted for only the second time this year as the Blues survived a scare from Steaua Bucharest to reach the last eight of the Champions League on aggregate.
Not even missing a late penalty or a bloodied nose could spoil Torres' night.
"It was important for him but the main thing is that it was important for the team," Benitez said. "We knew he was working very hard, he was training really well and scoring a lot of goals in training so we knew he was close. Hopefully it will be the first of a lot."
Torres has now scored 16 goals in seven different competitions this season but had scored only once in his previous 19 before Thursday night.
When the former Liverpool striker went through a goal drought last season, he declined the chance to take a spot kick in the FA Cup replay at Birmingham.
With Chelsea winning 3-1 against Steaua, Torres took a penalty after 86 minutes but hit the bar.
But Benitez said: "He has confidence now. He can take the responsibility and that was good. We are very pleased because he was taking the responsibility rather than he missed the penalty."
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Juan Mata scored before Vlad Chiriches netted an away goal in first-half injury-time to leave Chelsea needing two to go through. But John Terry and Torres completed the second Blues comeback in five days following their 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
"Obviously we had more confidence after the game because in the comeback against United," said the interim coach. "We showed character, passion, commitment and quality and today was exactly the same. When you have all of those things together, it makes a good team."
Chelsea now face six games in 16 days after the international break, including a possible Europa League quarter-final against Newcastle or Tottenham when the draw is made on Friday.
"The next game is most important, just the one," Benitez continued. "Premier League, then, after, think about FA Cup. Wwe have to manage this way. I prefer to have this problem because it means we are still in competitions."
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech added: "We are at the stage where every game is a final for us because we are chasing the third spot in the league and ob now the Europa League and the FA Cup. We are playing a lot of games and we go step by step. It is not easy at times but we still keep fighting."


===============

Sun:
by Rob Beasley

FERNANDO TORRES went through heaven and El as Chelsea booked their place in the next round of the Europa League.
The £50million Spanish misfit scored a rare winner with only his second goal of the year to help Blues into the quarter-finals...exactly 300 days after being crowned European champions in Munich.
But he also blazed a late penalty against the bar when given the chance to double his tally late on.
The former Liverpool striker certainly had an eventful night, also denied a clear second half penalty when felled in the box by Lukasz Szukala.
And just for good measure the centre back kicked Torres in the face as he lay on the deck leaving him with a bloodied nose.
At least Chelsea escaped without any hurt, overcoming a 1-0 first leg deficit to edge through in the end.
But they made heavy weather of it.
In fact Chelsea’s task was almost doubled after just 13 minutes when Steaua striker Raul Rusescu romped clear.
The man who got the winner in Bucharest looked set to again make the Blues pay the price for slack defending.
But “keeper Petr Cech, at fault for two goals at Manchester United at the weekend, pulled off a fine, full length finger-tip save to turn the ball around the post.
A goal then would have been a hammer blow, especially in front of a subdued home crowd with plenty of empty seats on show.
That’s a clear sign of the disenchantment among many fans at the ticketing prices and the way the club is being run.
So it was the packed ranks of Romanian fans who created the atmosphere with a non-stop barrage of noise.
Nevertheless Chelsea just about edged it.
But make no mistake this is a pale shadow of the team that was crowned Champions of Europe in Munich last May.
How the mighty have fallen – and how quickly!
For this is a side shorn of confidence and belief, a side struggling to gel together, a side still hanging in there only out of sheer bloody mindedness.
The Blues did have their moments.
In the 23rd minutes John Obi Mikel crashed in a shot that was pushed away for a corner and from the flak kick the Nigerian skewed a left foot shot high and wide.
And ten minutes later, the Blues went ahead on the night and level in the tie.
Inevitably it was that man Juan Mata who made the difference.
Chelsea’s outstanding player this season played a neat one-two with Ramires and then fired off a low, right foot shot.
It cannoned through the keeper’s legs, bobbled a couple of times and kissed the inside of the post on its way in.
Not his greastest of goals but a vital one.
All square with almost an hour to go and surely Chelsea in the driving seat now.
Even Fernando Torres suddenly emerged to flash a shot wide.
Then Eden Hazard and Mata combined cleverly to tee up the Belgian for a shot that was again beaten out by the busy Ciprian Tatarusana just five minutes before the break.
But then on the stroke of half-time Steaua stole a goal to put Chelsea back in real danger of going out.
Torres blocked a corner in front of the near post, the ball rolled out to Cristian Tanase and he had a crack.
Cech parried the effort but the rebound dropped to Vlad Chiriches who gleefully rifled it up into the net.
A precious away goal meant the Londoners had just 45 minutes to save their skins.
The early second half signs were not promising, the team as subdued as their support – just 28,817 in attendance, the lowest gate of the season.
But then close on the hour captain, leader, legend John Terry powered into the box to rise unmarked and plant a trademark header into the back of the net.
Chelsea still needed another or go out on away goals.
But it was Cech who kept them in it with a fine stop from a swirling, swerving drive from Alexandru Chipclu as Steaua countered dangerously.
Now it was getting tense.
Chelsea would not be denied, though – Mata fed Hazard, he back-heeled to Torres and cor blimey – he scored!

DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN — JUAN MATA(Chelsea

CHELSEA: Cech 7, Azpilicueta 6, Terry 7, Luiz 6, Cole 7, Ramires 6, Mikel 6, Hazard 7, Mata, Oscar 6, Torres 5. Subs: Moses (Mata 90) 5, Benayoun (Hazard 90) 5. Not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Lampard, Cahill.Booked: Cole, Mikel.

STEAUA BUCHAREST:Tatarusanu, Szukala, Mihai Pintilii, Latovlevici, Rapa (Filho 83), Chiriches, Popa, Chipciu, Tanase (Leandro 78), Bourceanu, Rusescu. Not used: Stanca, Gardos, Filip, Prepelita, Iancu.Booked: Rapa, Bourceanu.


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Express:

Fernando Torres finally gets a goal that matters for Chelsea
EVEN when he is the leading man with blood streaming heroically from his nose, life is still very complicated for Fernando Torres.
By: John Dillon

Chelsea are in the last eight of the Europa League after Torres scored a rare, significant goal at Stamford Bridge last night, sealing their triumph over the Romanians of Steaua Bucharest when it had seemed that even a typically thunderous header from John Terry might not be enough to save them from an exit on away goals.
It was smartly finished, too, as the Spanish forward seized upon the energetic work of Juan Mata and a clever dummy by Eden Hazard to plant home a low, angled drive from just inside the penalty area in the 71st minute.
However, in true Torres style, he then went and missed a penalty – in a rather spectacular way in the 86th minute, crashing against the bar which wobbled at him as if in reproach as he raised his eyes and, presumably, wondered what he had done to deserve this latest painful twist in the awkward tale of his Chelsea career.
Torres later missed a penalty which just about sums up his awkward time at Chelsea

Torres, you guess, was grateful to score at all, seeing as this was only his second since the turn of the year
It condemned the Blues to seven more minutes of anxiety before they could be certain that their presence in Europe would be maintained, 10 months after they won the Champions League.
This was, though, in a turbulent season for Chelsea, a rare case of all’s well that ends well. Torres, you guess, was grateful to score at all, seeing as this was only his second since the turn of the year.
For once, too, after his 15th of the season, he could forget the accusation that he mostly scores goals that do not matter very much.
It would not have done for the European champions to be putting away their passports just yet, even if they are now in the secondary competition.
Rafa Benitez, the much-abused interim coach, had named a full-strength side so there was no suggestion that the club are not taking the Europa League seriously, even if the top four is the priority.
It is a fair guess he would rather enjoy sauntering out of this place in May, leaving behind a trophy as a reproach to all those who maligned him.
At the end, the crowd and the manager were united in their appreciation of the fact Chelsea had worked hard for a deserved victory.
Chelsea players celebrate as Torres fires the Blues into the next round of the Europa League
The stand-out moment was the goal scored with familiar combativeness by the Chelsea skipper Terry. Back in the side after the missing the FA Cup recovery at Manchester United, he was presented with the opportunity to repeat a familiar old script by Mata’s excellent free-kick in the 58th minute.
Terry escaped his marker and thumped home a header from around 15 yards out. The old bones may be creaking but he still knows how to seize the moment.
This was critical because Chelsea had fallen behind in the tie for a second time – they lost 1-0 in Bucharest – despite Mata’s typically energetic opener in the 33rd minute.
It had been a frustrating start for Chelsea and Steaua had shown some counter-attacking verve and an ability to prevent the hosts’ flair players from getting going.
It was not until the 23rd minute that Chelsea had any sight of goal, with John Obi Mikel hopeful with a 25-yard drive. But then 10 minutes afterwards Mata proved once again how important his tirelessness is to this side.
Seizing on an opening just inside Steaua’s half, he darted forward and then laid off to Ramires. The return found Mata skipping around his marker and he touched in from eight yards.
It was the signal for the trio of little engineers behind Torres – Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard – to begin finding their rhythm. But then the threat on the break from Bucharest was realised emphatically in the 45th minute.
Cornel Papa hurried down the left and although he was well-tackled by Ashley Cole, the resulting corner restored Steaua’s lead in the tie. Cristian Tanase’s first attempt was blocked by the legs of Petr Cech, but Vlad Chiriches scored from close range.
It ensured that Chelsea’s passage to the quarter-finals would remain uncertain for some time afterwards.
But in a season in which they are fighting against anti-climax following the heroics of Munich last May, this win was enough to keep some kind of flame alive in Europe.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Mata (Moses 90), Oscar, Hazard (Benayoun 90); Torres. Booked: Mikel, Cole. Goals: Mata 33, Terry 58, Torres 71.
STEAUA (4-5-1): Tatarusanu; Latovlevici, Chiriches, Szukala, Rapa; Tanase (Leandro 78), Pintilii, Bourceanu, Chipciu, Popa; Rusescu. Booked: Bourceanu, Rapa (Filho 83). Goal: Chiriches 45.
Referee: S Lannoy (France).

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Star:

CHELSEA 3-STEAUA 1: JOHN TERRY MAKES BENITEZ'S NIGHT
Paul Brown

THEY don’t call him Captain, Leader, Legend for nothing.
John Terry did his bit for Chelsea last night on his return to the starting line-up for this Europa League clash.
Juan Mata put them ahead on the night with his 18th goal of the season – but Vlad Chiriches equalised to leave the Blues needing two more.
Terry scored from a 59thminute Mata free-kick to give them hope of another comeback to follow Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-fi nal stunner at Old Trafford, when they drew 2-2.
And when Fernando Torres added No.3 with a left-foot shot in the 71st minute, the rescue job was complete.
Chelsea had work to do after losing the first leg in Bucharest, when a penalty from Raul Rusescu was the difference between the teams.
Problems
So Blues boss Rafa Benitez resisted the urge to rest too many players – even though he knew winning the tie would cause his men all sorts of fixture problems.
He put out as strong a team as he could, with Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard all starting behind Torres.
Benitez had no real choice with Torres as Demba Ba is cuptied, but it’s rare to see all three of the others starting together these days.
Steaua have bad memories of playing in England. In 2006 they went to Middlesbrough with a 1-0 advantage in the UEFA Cup semi-finals, only to lose 4-3 on aggregate.
Chelsea proved they know a thing or two about comebacks when they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at United on Sunday.
They almost made a nightmare start and again it was that man Rusescu who wriggled clear.
But Petr Cech made a vital fi ngertip save to deny Steaua a potentially crucial away goal.
The visitors were well organised, well-drilled and well up for it.
It took Chelsea 23 minutes to test keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, with Oscar dummying the whole back four and picking out Mikel, who shot produced a diving save.
When the goal came it was a scrappy affair.
Mata played a one-two with Ramires and broke into the box.
Tatarusanu was out quickly to save but the ball struck his leg and dribbled slowly in off the post.
If they thought their opponents would buckle though, they were sadly mistaken, as Steaua got that away goal in first-half stoppage time.
Alexandru Bourceanu swung in a corner and Cech managed to save Cristian Tanase’s initial shot, but it came back off the post for Chiriches to smash home.
That left Chelsea needing two – and Terry and Torres obliged to fi re them into the last eight.
But there was still time for Torres to fi re an 86th-minute penalty against the bar.
Hazard had won the spot-kick after he was crudely hacked down by Bourceanu.

CHELSEA: Cech; Azpilicueta, Terry, Luiz, Cole; Ramires, Mikel; Hazard, Mata, Oscar; Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Lampard, Moses, Ferreira, Cahill, Benayoun, Bertrand.
STEAUA: Tatarusanu; Rapa, Szukala, Chiriches, Latovlevici; Bourceanu, Pintilii, Popa, Chipciu; Tanase, Rusescu.
Subs: Stanca, Gardos, Filip, Prepelita, Tatu, Iancu, Adi. Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France).