Chelsea dominated the second period and Torres's strike meant that victories for both north London clubs, Tottenham and Arsenal, did not affect their Champions League qualification.Tim Howard spilled Demba Ba's shot after a flowing move involving Mata and Oscar, and the Spaniard followed up to slot the ball home with ease.The Gunners needed a win and for the Blues to lose to be certain of finishing third and avoid facing a two-legged play-off to reach the group stages.Naismith guided a shot just off target, Darron Gibson shot over and Chelsea were on the back foot, suddenly looking jaded and disjointed.And despite a great start, for a long time the hosts gave Arsenal strong hope of at least earning an unprecedented Premier League play-off as both sides could have finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored had Chelsea drawn.Everton deservedly levelled when David Luiz - back in the defence with Nathan Ake making a classy Premier League debut in midfield - intercepted a pass but lost possession.A gloriously sunny day full of positivity was in stark contrast to the cold, miserable conditions and accompanying poisonous atmosphere that surrounded Stamford Bridge in November when Benitez replaced the popular Roberto Di Matteo.Torres headed wide, Ake shot over and Frank Lampard, presented with a golden boot before the game for becoming the club's record goalscorer, should have scored his 204th in a Chelsea shirt but shot wildly over.But there was no sense of unrest early on here. The home side looked sharp and, having controlled possession and territory, went ahead after seven minutes.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Fernando Torres scored
Chelsea dominated the second period and Torres's strike meant that victories for both north London clubs, Tottenham and Arsenal, did not affect their Champions League qualification.Tim Howard spilled Demba Ba's shot after a flowing move involving Mata and Oscar, and the Spaniard followed up to slot the ball home with ease.The Gunners needed a win and for the Blues to lose to be certain of finishing third and avoid facing a two-legged play-off to reach the group stages.Naismith guided a shot just off target, Darron Gibson shot over and Chelsea were on the back foot, suddenly looking jaded and disjointed.And despite a great start, for a long time the hosts gave Arsenal strong hope of at least earning an unprecedented Premier League play-off as both sides could have finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored had Chelsea drawn.Everton deservedly levelled when David Luiz - back in the defence with Nathan Ake making a classy Premier League debut in midfield - intercepted a pass but lost possession.A gloriously sunny day full of positivity was in stark contrast to the cold, miserable conditions and accompanying poisonous atmosphere that surrounded Stamford Bridge in November when Benitez replaced the popular Roberto Di Matteo.Torres headed wide, Ake shot over and Frank Lampard, presented with a golden boot before the game for becoming the club's record goalscorer, should have scored his 204th in a Chelsea shirt but shot wildly over.But there was no sense of unrest early on here. The home side looked sharp and, having controlled possession and territory, went ahead after seven minutes.
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