Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a smash-and-grab 1-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona had dominated the match, barely giving up possession and missing a host of gilt-edged chances, including glaring misses from Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez also hit the bar in the first half, while Pedro saw a last-gasp drive rattle off the post with Sergio Busquets blasting the rebound over.
Petr Cech played his part too, making smart saves from Adriano and – late on – Carles Puyol, as Chelsea stuck to a gameplan with some effect, although they rode their luck and then some.
The victory goes some way to helping banish the memories of Chelsea’s controversial semi-final exit to the Catalans in 2009, this edition’s referee Felix Brych far more capable in his handling of gamesmanship from both sides than poor Tom Henning Ovrebo, whose reputation took a pounding after failing to award the West London side any of four penalty appeals in that match.
But, for all the home side’s celebrations afterwards, the job is barely half done with Barca clear favourites for the second leg next week, and Messi expected to show his true colours at the Camp Nou.