Didier Drogba’s return to Stamford Bridge did not go as planned for the Ivorian as Chelsea eased into the Champions League quarter-final.
First half goals from Samuel Eto’o and Gary Cahill means the Blues are the first English club to progress past the last 16 in this year’s competition, with Manchester United possibly joining them tomorrow.
Drogba spent eight years at Chelsea and was given a warm reception by the Stamford Bridge faithful, but he could not fire Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray to their first win away at an English club, having now lost six and drawn three of their nine visits.
Despite all the talk of Drogba, it was Eto’o who got Chelsea off to the perfect start, firing home Oscar’s through-ball after just four minutes for his 30th Champions League goal.
The hosts did not allow the Turkish side to get a foothold on the game and John Terry almost doubled their advantage after 33 minutes, volleying just over the bar from Frank Lampard’s free-kick.
Willian then had a great chance when he was put through by Eto’o, before Cahill smashed home from close range after Terry’s header was saved with just three minutes left in the half.
Willian and Lampard had chances to increase Chelsea’s lead and Hazard forced the keeper into a decent save late-on with a curling effort.
Fernando Torres came on for the last five minutes and forced Fernando Muslera into another save, before Drogba almost got a dream goal on his return but his header was straight at Petr Cech.
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