Blues Held But A Point Is Enough (Sky Sports)

Chelsea 0 AC Sparta Praha

UEFA Champions League Group G


Chelsea have qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League despite seeing their seven-game winning streak ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Sparta Prague. 

For once Chelsea were unable to nick the win after a poor performance, as William Gallas and Adrian Mutu wasted late chances against a stubborn Sparta defence. 

It was all a far cry from the 4-0 victory at Lazio earlier this month, but Mission Accomplished nevertheless - although Chelsea will be keen to win the group- and a vital last 16 seeding - in the final game against Besiktas.

Sparta's cagey approach was always going to rule out another Rome-style goal-fest, and it was 26 minutes before either side managed an effort on target, when Hernan Crespo was denied a goal first by the crossbar and then an offside flag.

The excellent Damian Duff crossed from the left, and the Argentinian rose high to power a header
against the woodwork from eight yards. Mutu did well to pounce on the loose ball inside the six-yard box and feed it back to Crespo to stab home - but the celebrations were halted by the flag.

There was a minor scare for Chelsea after 33 minutes. Rastislav Michalik got the better of Mario Melchiot - in for suspended Glen Johnson - at right-back and put in a good cross for Libor Sionko.

His header had Carlo Cudicini scrambling across goal, and the Italian was relieved to see the ball fly beyond the far post.

That was about as close as Sparta came, but a disjointed Chelsea were unable to find any attacking tempo against some admittedly impressive defending,

So often this season Claudio Ranieri's side have risen above average performances to claim outstanding results and they almost managed it again.

With nine minutes left John Terry rose at the far popst to head Damien Duff's corner back across the goal line. Any contact and it was a goal, but William Gallas stooped and missed the ball completely - he should really have chested the ball over the line.

Mutu was lively and workmanlike throughout, but the Romanian was culpable of a bad miss in injury time.

Eidur Gudjohnsen sent him clear but Mutu fired wide with just Jaromir Blazek to miss. Not a costly miss perhaps, but it could be the price of a last 16 seeding.

Teams

Chelsea: Cudicini 6, Melchiot 6, Terry 7, Gallas 6, Bridge 5, Duff 8, Makelele 7, Lampard 7, Cole 7(Geremi 73), Crespo 7 (Gudjohnsen 73), Mutu 7.
Subs Not Used: Ambrosio, Babayaro, Desailly, Hasselbaink, Gronkjaer.

Sparta Prague: Blazek 7, Pergl 7, Hubschman 6, Homola 7, Labant 8, Poborsky 7, Kovac 6, Zelenka 6(Flachbart 87), Krmas 7, Michalik 6 (Igor Gluscevic 72), Sionko 6  (Jezek 90).