Ivanovic pops up late to clinch Europa League win for Chelsea

Chelsea 2 Benfica 1: It was a victory no more deserved in a way than last year's in Munich, but Chelsea just clinched it and Benfica can have no more complaints than Bayern; the Portuguese suffered a heartbreaking seventh successive European final defeat because they did not take their chances.

Chelsea’s winner came in the dying seconds with Branislav Ivanovic ensuring that his contribution here would not be remembered for the poor quality of his defending but rather for the way he rose, unchallenged, to head Juan Mata’s corner back across the face of the goal into the top right corner.

Even then, though, he had time to produce a fumble at the other end that would have allowed Oscar Cardozo to get an injury-time equaliser had Gary Cahill not saved him with a desperate block.

It was a remarkable finish to an entertaining but far from impressive game. Benfica enjoyed both the bulk of the possession and the lion’s share of the possession and yet their only goal came from a softly-conceded second-half penalty. Cardozo sent Petr Cech the wrong way to score and level things up some seven minutes after Fernando Torres had scored his sixth in nine Europa League appearances this season; a spectacular contrast with his form in the Premier League.

Chelsea threatened on a couple of occasions, only to find themselves slipping back into trouble as the passing and movement of their opponents left them floundering at times in and around their own area.

Entertaining discussion
How they weren't behind at the break must have made for an entertaining discussion in the dressing room had there not been such a vital need to sort things out. Having intervened early and decisively in Istansbul eight years ago, Rafa Benitz left things along here and was eventually rewarded for his faith.

With a new job to find over the summer, he must have been worried for long spells though. Right from the start his side had found themselves on the back foot and, perhaps because they were supposed to be the favourites in this final, they didn’t look at all comfortable, with Ivanovic, in particular, committing a succession of errors.

The Portuguese should have made more, much more, of their superiority. By the break they had eight attempts on goal with five on target, still Cech never had to make what might be described a really good save, at least until the 82nd minute when he tipped over a looping shot from Cardozo.

Immediately in front of him, it was frantic at times, with defenders playing themselves into trouble then, sometimes by the skin of their teeth, getting themselves out of it thanks to blocks or last-ditch tackles. Still, Jorge Jesus’ men were also repeatedly guilty of over-elaboration and poor finishing.

Their approach play was another matter with Nemanja Matic, as expected, anchoring things in midfield while Eduardo Salvio, Enzo Perez and Nicolas Gaitan provided a constantly interchanging line of support to Rodrigo and, in front of him, the experienced Cardozo.

Defensive screen
Chelsea's efforts to cope weren't helped by the fact that the defensive screen that David Luiz and Frank Lampard were supposed to provide seemed almost non-existent at times. Lampard looked as uncertain as anyone at key moments, with Benfica's former player Luiz as erratic as ever.

Gradually they settled, though, and if they never really came close to getting decisively on top, they at least started to pose some sort of threat. Oscar got things moving with a shot straight at the goalkeeper but Lampard did much better with an effort late in the first half that moved so much in the air Artur ended up doing well to push it away.

The goalkeeper could do nothing about the midfielder’s stunning drive much later but on that occasion he was saved by his crossbar.

Torres, of course, was supposed to spearhead the attack but he got little service and, for the most part, had little impact. His goal, though, was top notch. And more importantly he showed all of the old hunger as he latched on to a long throw-out by Cech to first hold off a strong challenge by Luisao then round goalkeeper Artur before sending an angled shot into an empty goal.

The Londoners celebrated with gusto but their lead was short-lived; Cesar Aspilicueta’s clumsy handball at the other end seven minutes later presented an opportunity for Cardozo to equalise from the penalty spot which the Paraguayan enthusiastically grabbed. However, it was left to Ivanovic to become the Chelsea hero.