Didier Drogba’s return to Stamford Bridge ended in defeat as Chelsea beat Galatasaray 2-0 in last night’s Champions League last-16 second leg to progress to the quarter- finals.
Manager Jose Mourinho warned of a dangerous tie poised 1-1 after the first leg in Istanbul three weeks ago, but four minutes into the second leg his side regained the advantage before advancing into Friday’s last-eight draw with ease, 3-1 on aggregate.
Drogba, scorer of 157 goals in 341 appearances over eight years for the Blues, including the decisive penalty in the 2012 European Cup win, was expected to be the main protagonist of the contest.
But it was another 30-something Ivory Coast attacker who found the net with the first attack as, for once, the forward faded into the background on the big occasion, with Eden Hazard the outstanding forward on display.
Samuel Eto’o showed his instinct to put the Blues in front at the end of a move started by Hazard before defender Gary Cahill added a second before the interval to give Chelsea a commanding two-goal advantage.
Chelsea were unable to add to their tally, but did not need to.
Roberto Mancini’s visitors were a distant second-best throughout and offered up little resistance as the former Manchester City manager’s return to England ended in a limp defeat.
Given Manchester United and Tottenham face two-goal deficits, tonight against Olympiakos in the Champions League and tomorrow at Benfica in the Europa League, it is likely Chelsea will be the only English club in Europe for Friday’s draws.
Their immediate attention now turns to Saturday’s Premier League match against Arsenal, where Mourinho’s leaders will hope to put the controversial loss at Aston Villa firmly in the past in Arsene Wenger’s 1,000th game as Gunners manager.