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Chelsea are through
FEYENOORD (4-4-2): Dudek; Van Gobbel, Konterman, Van Wonderen, Rzasa; Bosvelt, Van Gastel, Paauwe (Kalou, 46min), Devisser (Samardzic, 64); Cruz, Tomasson. Booked: Bosvelt. CHELSEA (4-4-2): De Goey; Petrescu, Leboeuf, Desailly, Babayaro; Di Matteo, Deschamps, Wise, Poyet (Morris, 76); Flo, Zola (Ambrosetti, 89)
Feyenoord were still celebrating the 59th-minute goal that cancelled out Gianfranco Zola's opener when Wise struck with a superb header that deservedly restored Chelsea's lead. Then, five minutes later, Tore Andre Flo made sure of victory when he sent a left-footed drive into the corner of the net. The win means that whatever happens in the final round of matches, Chelsea are certain of a place in the last eight. They should have silenced the fanatical home supporters as early as the eighth minute when they were awarded a penalty. Flo had worked his way into the corner of the box only to be pulled down by Kees van Wonderen. Referee Knud Erik Fisker of Denmark had no hesitation in awarding a penalty despite the howls of protest from the fans who believed the Norwegian had dived. Frank Leboeuf took his customary long run at the ball but only half-hit his shot and Feyenoord goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, top of FIFA's world rankings, made an easy save. The Frenchman turned away in dismay but, despite his blunder, Chelsea went on to dominate the game with cool, efficient football and clever little breaks that posed a constant threat. The penalty award seemed to have dispirited Feyenoord and they failed to take advantage of their great escape. Chelsea picked off their attacks with apparent ease and, in comparison, hit back neatly, kept possession and had the patience to make the most of their opportunities. In the 27th minute Ulrich van Gobbel had to make a diving interception to prevent the ball from reaching Flo. From the resultant corner, Marcel Desailly's header was cleared off the line. Chelsea had established a rhythm that Feyenoord found difficult to defend against. There was so much movement from Flo and Zola that it seemed inevitable that Chelsea would break through the Dutch defence. The inspirational Dudek had to be at his best on the half-hour when he was forced to back-pedal to tip a shot from the industrious Wise over the bar. When the goal came, Zola's joy was unconfined. Until then, his tally for the season had been two goals from open play - the most recent back in October - and one penalty. In the 39th minute he picked his way through and hit a right-foot shot that Dudek must have thought was going wide. Instead, as the goal-keeper stood motionless on his line, the ball hit his right post and bounced into the net behind him. Zola wheeled away in triumph. He had said before the game that he knew his drought would end soon - and he could hardly have picked a more opportune time. The goal clearly rattled Feyenoord and they began to give the ball away with regularity, making Chelsea's task easier. The only early scare had come in the fifth minute when Jon Dahl Tomasson almost broke through as Feyenoord sought to make amends for their 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge at the end of last year. That defeat embarrassed and hurt Feyenoord. They were determined to take revenge on Chelsea but Gianluca Vialli's side seemed too well organised to be troubled. In fact, once they had settled down it was Chelsea who went closest to scoring in the fifth minute. Zola and Poyet exchanged passes before the Italian connected with a fine right-foot volley that brought the best out of Dudek, going to his left to make a vital save. Chelsea slowed the game down to suit their own passing style. They blended impressively, worked the ball cleverly and supported each other so well that they continued to make the chances flow, testing Dudek just before the interval after another beautifully-built break from the back. Feyenoord began the second half with more power and purpose about their football and a shot from Julio Cruz skimmed the crossbar. Then they equalised with their first on-target shot. Substitute Bonaventure Kalou suddenly got clear and found space on the right-hand side. He collected Tomasz Rzasa's cross to tap the ball neatly home. However, Feyenoord's relief was short-lived and five minutes later Wise rose magnificently to out-jump the Feyenoord defence and head home Celestine Babayaro's left-wing cross. Then, when Flo cut in to hammer the ball into into the furthest corner of the net the scoreline was no more than Chelsea deserved.
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