05/12/2006  Chelsea 2 Levski Sofia 0
 
The much-maligned Andriy Shevchenko paid back a huge chunk of his £30million transfer fee with the first-half goal that helped Chelsea to finish top of Group A.

The Ukrainian striker has been heavily criticised for failing to adapt to life in England amid constant talk of an early return to AC Milan.

But Shevchenko's strike took him into second place in the all-time list of European goalscorers - ahead of Raul and Eusebio but still five behind Germany's Gerd Muller.

The Ukrainian now has 57 goals to his credit in European club football - 44 of them in the Champions League - and his classy finish was his first in the competition for Chelsea.

It looked like being the only goal of the game until substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips netted his first of the season with seven minutes remaining.

Chelsea, who had already qualified for the next phase of the tournament, needed a win over their rock-bottom opponents to ensure they finished in pole position.

They set about their task with relish and almost went ahead after only 73 seconds when Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben combined to set up a clear chance for Shevchenko.

The Ukraine striker, normally deadly from eight yards, saw his shot well saved by Bozhidar Mitrev but it was a portent of events to follow.

Sofia, without a point from an unsuccessful campaign, demonstrated plenty of endeavour but little promise in attack as the home side dictated the pace of the game.

Robben was a particular threat during the opening exchanges with his pace troubling Sofia right-back Zhivko Milanov on the left flank.

Yet the raiding Dutchman was unable to provide the telling final ball and on each occasion Sofia managed to clear their lines before Chelsea could punish them.

The home side were becoming frustrated by Sofia despite enjoying the better of the possession but they almost took the lead in the 24th minute when Mitrev saved superbly to deny Robben's 25-yard effort.

Seconds later Drogba sent a shot inches wide of the Sofia goalkeeper's left-hand upright from a pinpoint cross by Wayne Bridge - the Ivorian's volley just veering wide at the last moment as he looked to increase his goal tally for the season to 15.

But Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Shevchenko rose to the occasion with a well-taken goal.

Frank Lampard slotted the ball through to the Ukraine striker and Shevchenko beat the advancing Mitrev with a clever shot that he curved into the corner with the outside of his right foot.

But Chelsea had a lucky escape in the 32nd minute when a deflected cross fell to the feet of Cedric Bardon.

The former French under-21 international let fly with a left-foot volley which flew inches over the bar from six yards.

Four minutes later Hilario was forced into action for the first time in the contest when a free-kick from Hristo Yovov threatened to put the visitors on level terms.

Chelsea responded immediately with a counter-attack that almost brought Shevchenko his second of the night.

The Ukrainian had time and space to pick his spot but this time his accuracy was found wanting and he sent his shot past the far post.

Chelsea were determined to increase their advantage before the interval though and a corner from Lampard in the 38th minute almost brought them success.

The England midfielder's flag kick caused confusion in the Sofia defence and when they failed to clear at the second attempt, Ricardo Carvalho's shot had to be cleared off the line by Stanislav Angelov.

In the 58th minute Chelsea made their first change of the game when Paulo Ferreira was replaced by Lassana Diarra while Sofia exchanged Nikolay Dimitrov for Lachezar Baltanov.

Chelsea's relentless pursuit of a second goal almost succeeded in the 63rd minute when Michael Ballack sent a 20-yard drive just wide of the target.

Mourinho was clearly in no mood to settle for a one goal win and in the 66th minute he opted to make a double substitution.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, recently the subject of transfer interest from Barclays Premiership rivals West Ham, and Salomon Kalou were introduced into the action at the expense of Robben and Shevchenko.

It was Wright-Phillips who had the last say when he fired home his first goal of the season seven minutes from the end.

The England winger collected a pass from Carvalho and despatched a 20-yard drive into the bottom corner.