Kalou gives Chelsea victory in Lisbon

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Benfica 0 Chelsea 1

Salomon Kalou’s 76th-minute goal gave Chelsea a first-leg victory in Lisbon, putting them within sight of the Champions League semi-finals.

Kalou slotted home after great work from Fernando Torres, who charged down the right and then crossed for the Ivorian to score from close range.

Torres set up Kalou's goal.

It atoned for a bad miss by Kalou earlier in the second half, when he headed over at the near post following another cross from the lively Torres.

Chelsea had also gone close when Juan Mata pounced after a mistake by Brazilian defender Jardel and rounded keeper Artur only to see his shot from a tight angle come back off the post.

Benfica looked dangerous at times – Oscar Cardozo fired wide in the first half and in the second was denied by David Luiz’s goal-line clearance.

But Kalou’s goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side, and Mata had a chance to make it two but sent a late effort wastefully over.

There was a scare right at the end though, when Ashley Cole almost scored an own goal.

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