Champions League Group E wrap: Chelsea through in emphatic fashion

Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 3-0 victory over Valencia to qualify top of Champions League Group E.

Didier Drogba opened the scoring from close-range after just three minutes to set them on their way, before Ramires capitalised on a moment of laziness from Victor Ruiz to add a second midway through the first half.

Having been set free by a glorious through-ball from Juan Mata with 15 minutes remaining, Drogba made no mistake to wrap up a significant victory for the Blues, one that, coupled with Genk’s draw with Bayer Leverkusen, saw them win Group E on a night that could have seen them crash out of the competition.

It took the hosts just three minutes to score the opener; Juan Mata picking the ball up on the left of the penalty area and slipping it to Drogba, who took a step forward and lashed it towards the net, with Alves getting a hand to it but not enough to divert it from the goal.

The Spaniards nearly replied instantly, with Tino Costa’s pass into Alba, who came in with a fine run from the left and rattled the crossbar with his shot.

David Albelda then tested Petr Cech with a magnificent strike from 25 yards out, curling deliciously towards the top corner before the Czech goalkeeper intervened.

After 20 minutes the Blues extended their advantage, with the irrepressible Drogba blazing forward then playing Ramires through.

The Brazilian bore down on goal and took advantage of Ruiz’s hesitancy to take the ball round the centre-back and bury a simple finish.

Valencia resumed their travails after the break, bringing on Aritz Aduriz after 10 minutes to partner Roberto Soldado up front as they changed formation in the hopes of breaching the hosts’ stubborn defence.

With Villas-Boas beginning to make changes with a view to shutting the game down, Drogba was set free with a perfect through-ball from Mata behind him and, with both centre-backs taken out of the equation, passed the ball into the net in a cool finish.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen were denied top spot in the group after they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Genk.

With their spot in the last 16 already confirmed, Leverkusen could be forgiven for taking it easy in Belgium, but they were stunned into action on the half-hour mark when Jelle Vossen put Genk ahead with an expertly taken volley.

It looked as though the Germans would be returning home empty-handed until Eren Derdiyok connect with Sidney Sam’s low cross and fired home an equaliser with just over 10 minutes to go.

Tuesday’s results mean Chelsea finished the group stage with 11 points, one clear of second-placed Leverkusen and three ahead of Europa League-bound Valencia.