A second-half goal by Salomon Kalou handed Chelsea a 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday. The Londoners always appeared in control and Kalou grabbed the only goal in the 75th minute, tapping the ball in from close range after excellent work down the right by Fernando Torres and Ramires.
"This was a very good result. We knew the difficulties we were going to face and now we will take the game back to London where we will have the support of our fans," said Chelsea centre back David Luiz. "Nothing is won yet but we showed a lot of maturity and experience," added the Brazilian who was signed from Benfica in a big-money transfer 14 months ago.
Kalou's goal vindicated the decision by interim coach Roberto Di Matteo to start the Ivory Coast forward in place of England international Daniel Sturridge who was rested from the starting line-up along with Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Gary Cahill. Juan Mata had also gone close for Chelsea on the hour when he rounded keeper Artur Moraes but struck the post from an acute angle.