Chelsea Makes History as Europa League Champion

Chelsea becomes the first English team to win all three major European club competitions. (Martin Meissner)Unlikely as it may seem, Chelsea is a European Champion once again. Last year, the club made an unlikely run to defeat Bayern Munich in dramatic fashion to win the Champions League final. Today, Chelsea earned the club's first Europa League trophy by beating Benfica, 2-1, in similar fashion with a goal in stoppage time.Chelsea becomes the first English team to win all three major European club competitions, having won the Champions League last year and the Cup Winners’ Cup, which is no longer in existence. Today's win helps to bring closure to what can be described as a tumultuous season. This has seemingly become the norm for a club that has lately made an art of collecting trophies in unconventional fashions.There are always high expectations for Chelsea and coming off a Champions League title made this situation even more extreme. Things not begin as the club had hoped. After a slow start in the Premier League, Chelsea had to settle for trying to secure a Champions League spot for next season’s tournament. Meanwhile, the Blues struggled in this season's competition. A disgraceful 3-0 loss to Juventus in November not only essentially eliminated the club from contention, but cost highly-decorated manger Roberto Di Matteo his job.Chelsea supporters were shocked by Di Matteo’s dismissal, but became even more vexed by the appointment of the unpopular Rafael Benitez as the interim manager. Many questioned the club's direction and leadership at the top. A surprising loss to Corinthians in the World Club Cup final in December only fueled their fury.With the turn of the calender year, things slowly began to turnaround for the club. The Europa League final presented Chelsea with one final opportunity for redemption. This would be the club's last opportunity to lift a trophy, be it one they had never won before.The match did not start out the way the English side had hoped. Benfica, one of the top Portuguese clubs, was the aggressor for the opening whistle. Much the way Bayern dominated in its final against Chelsea last year, Benfica took control early and frankly was the better team. The Blues had to be grateful when the whistle blew, and the sides went to their locker rooms scoreless at the intermission.To begin the second half, Benfica controlled the pace of play once again, until Chelsea caught the break they had been looking for. Goalkeeper Peter Cech threw the ball forward to midfield. Midfielder Juan Mata was on the receiving end and precisely passed it towards striker Fernando Torres. Torres broke through the Benfica defense, was able to dribble around goalkeeper Artur  and bury it for his ninth goal in Europe this season.Benfica would not be deterred. The Portuguese side's persistent pressure finally paid off as they were rewarded a penalty kick. Oscar Cardozo calmly drilled it home to level the score.Last year, Chelsea faced similar adversity against Bayern Munich with limited time left to play. Chelsea steadily improved as that game went on. That was true of today's match as well. Despite the setback, the Blues seemed to brim with confidence as they advanced forward a stream of scoring opportunities.As stoppage time waned on, Chelsea earned one final corner kick. Mata's booming kick was headed to the far post. Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic kept his eyes on the ball the whole time. As he backpedaled into position, he rose over the Benfica defense and hit an arching header that was placed beautifully in the corner of the net for the match-winning goal.Chelsea now joins Bayern Munich, Ajax and Juventus as the only clubs to have won all three major European club competitions (the Champions League, the Europa League and the Cup Winners’ Cup). The Blues also become only the second club to win both major competitions back to back and the first to hold them at the same time.Chelsea's campaign may have gotten off to a tumultuous start, but is coming to an end in glorious fashion. Benitez will leave the club with yet another accomplishment to add to his impeccable record. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will rest easier tonight knowing that his club has now won its 11th trophy in his 10 years at the helm and made history yet again.
Source:http://fireawayblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/chelsea-makes-history-as-europa-league.html

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