20/09/2001  Chelsea 3 Levski Sofia 0
 
Eidur Gudjohnsen displayed an immaculate sense of timing as 
he seized on a rare chance to shine by illuminating Chelsea's 
UEFA Cup first round tie against Levski Sofia.

Gudjohnsen, who had previously only appeared for three 
minutes as a substitute this season, was handed his first 
start of the campaign due to leading scorer Jimmy Floyd 
Hasselbaink's two-game European ban.

He did not let his club down as he struck twice, with Frank 
Lampard completed the scoring in the final minute, to give 
Chelsea a healthy lead for the second leg next week.

The Blues were not at their best, contained for long 
periods by the well-organised Bulgarian champions.

But Levski tired late on and Chelsea - to their credit - 
took full advantage.

The danger signs may have been clear, with a largely 
subdued crowd of just over 20,000, as there were when the 
Blues struggled to beat St Gallen 1-0 at the corresponding 
stage of the competition last season.

They went out last year after losing the second leg 2-0 
but, this time around, the lead is far more comfortable, 
mainly thanks to their 23-year-old Icelandic stand-in.

Gudjohnsen proved the need for all leading clubs to have at 
least three front-line strikers, with Chelsea coping despite 
the loss of leading scorer Hasselbaink.

Indeed, with captain Marcel Desailly absent through injury 
and Emmanuel Petit going off with a chest infection after 30 
minutes, the Blues were deprived of the entire experienced 
spine of their side.

And they certainly struggled to impose themselves for much 
of the first-half to get into their stride.

Boudewijn Zenden was prominent in the early forays, having 
a penalty appeal turned down, clipping a free-kick over the 
bar and then being denied by the keeper's outstretched legs 
after being put through by Lampard.

That was all in the space of just 10 minutes, but Chelsea 
were otherwise failing to break down Levski's organised 
defence.

Gudjohnsen at least took the initiative with a forward 
burst only for this shot to barely reach the goal-line, while 
even a free-kick in prime Gianfranco Zola territory went 
straight into the keeper's arms.

Indeed, after almost knocking out Galatasaray in the 
Champions League final qualifying round, Levski threatened 
themselves in pacy counter-attacks, with right wing-back 
Martim Stankov allowed far too much space.

Chelsea's cause was not helped by the withdrawal of Petit, 
while stand-in captain Graeme Le Saux offered their only real 
penetration, albeit with an inconsistent end product down the 
left flank.

Frustration levels were therefore building, with Ed de 
Goey's reflexes also tested by a stinging volley from Ilian 
Stoyanov.

However, Gudjohnsen eased the nerves by striking almost out 
of nowhere just as injury-time began.

Collecting the ball from a throw-in, he held off two 
challenges and weaved his way into the penalty area before 
chipping an accomplished finish over the keeper without 
breaking stride.

The goal inevitably lifted Chelsea and they made a brighter 
start to the second half, with Gudjohnsen and then Zola both 
coming close.

With Levski appearing to tire, the forward surges increased 
as Zenden fired narrowly over the top and substitute Jody 
Morris sent a lob too high after Gudjohnsen's perceptive 
through-ball.

Zenden's close-range header was also pushed around the post 
shortly afterwards but there was nothing that keeper Georg 
Petkov could do to deny Gudjohnsen as he headed home the 
ensuing corner on 73 minutes.

Levski rallied briefly, with Rogerio Botelho shooting 
across the face of goal, while Stanimir Stoilov flashed a 
drive just past the far post, but Chelsea were not to be 
denied.

Indeed, they secured a vital third goal in the final few 
seconds as Lampard, who was initially denied by the keeper 
from Zenden's cross, managed to convert the rebound.

Chelsea were home and dry. They will travel to Bulgaria 
next week more in expectation than hope now.