Chelsea win dramatic Europa League final

May 16, 2013
Chelsea win dramatic Europa League final
Chelsea pulled off a thrilling victory over Benfica as Branislav Ivanovic's injury-time header won them the Europa League final in Amsterdam. Fernando Torres opened the scoring against the run of play to put the Blues ahead on the hour mark but Oscar Cardozo's penalty deservedly pulled Benfica level. Petr Cech pulled off a huge save to stop Cardozo and Frank Lampard struck the woodwork before Ivanovic heded Juan Mata's corner home deep into stoppage time. Benfica have now lost seven consecutive European finals. Benfica were the better side in the first half but they failed to capitalise on their superiority. Nicolas Gaitan fired wide twice from great positions and Lampard nearly punished them with a swerving shot that was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Artur. Cardozo came close for the Portuguese side on 50 minutes as he headed home on Gaitan's cross but the goal was ruled out for offside. Then Chelsea took the lead against the run of play on the hour mark thanks to Fernando Torres who escaped from the grasp of Garay and Luisao, rounded the keeper and then fired home from a tight angle. Benfica replied after just nine minutes through Cardozo from the spot after Cesar Azpilicueta handled a ball inside the penalty area. Cardozo then had another chance with nine minutes left but his great 20-yard shot was tipped over the bar by Cech. Lampard then saw a similar shot bounce off the crossbar but it was Ivanovic who wrapped things up in stoppage time with a perfect corner kick header. Chelsea will face Everton in the Premier League on Sunday in a match they have to win in order to make sure of finishing the season in third place. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Chelsea win - 8/13 Draw - 14/5 Everton win - 9/2
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