Blues lose rhythm but still qualify

Chelsea 0 Sparta Prague 0

That rhythm had seen Claudio Ranieri's men build a run of seven straight victories, including four successive clean sheets the highlight was the 4-0 thrashing of Lazio in Rome this month to top Group G.

However, that rhythm was sorely missing against the Czechs, although a point was enough to book Chelsea's place in the last 16 and if they avoid defeat in he final match against Besiktas in a fortnight they make it through as group winners.

Hernan Crespo was denied by the crossbar in the first half and William Gallas by the post in the second, but there were few other highlights. In the 27th minute Crespo was denied a fine goal by first the crossbar and then an offside flag.

Damien Duff crossed from the left and the Argentinian rose high to power a header against the woodwork from eight yards. Mutu did well to pounce on the loose ball inside the six yard box and feed it back to Crespo to stab home, but the celebrations were halted by the flag.

Claudio Ranieri complained that the 'goal' was ruled out.

"I cannot understand why the linesman put up his flag," said Ranieri. "I thought it was a good goal, I didn't think it was offside."

Ranieri added: "The Champions League is tough. We knew this match would be difficult because Sparta play better away as they close all the space and play on the counter-attack.

"It was difficult but we tried to open the space and create chances and I am very pleased because we did create four or five and we tried to win.

"Our attitude and the performance were good, and I must say well done to Sparta because they defended very well, closed the space and made it difficult for us to play against them.

"A point is okay, we have achieved qualification, but now it is important to get a point against Besiktas in the final game and win the group."

Cole hit a snap shot from 25 yards in the 40th minute and Jaromir Blazek did well to keep it out diving low to his right.

Crespo almost gave Chelsea the lead just 50 seconds after the restart with what would have been the cheekiest of goals.

Crespo started the move by releasing Mutu on a run, then raced to the edge of the six yard box for the return pass.

When the ball arrived from the left he had his back to goal so he improvised with a back-heel, which crept just wide of the far post.

The woodwork denied Chelsea again after 82 minutes and this time Gallas was the unlucky man.

Sparta coach Jiri Kotrba was delighted with a point as it kept alive his team's chances of joining the Blues in the knockout stage.

And He reaffirmed his belief that Chelsea are good enough to go on and win the competition.

He said: "I am very pleased, and the fact that Lazio and Besiktas drew the other match means this is a very important point for us because we are still in it.

"I still think Chelsea can win it, they have a very good team with some good players, and tonight they were without Juan Veron and Marcel Desailly they are definitely one of the contenders to win it."

CHELSEA: Cudicini, Melchiot, Terry, Gallas, Bridge, Duff, Makelele, Lampard, Cole (Geremi 73), Crespo (Gudjohnsen 73), Mutu.

SPARTA PRAGUE: Blazek, Pergl, Hubschman, Homola, Labant, Poborsky, Kovac, Zelenka (Flachbart 87), Krmas, Michalik (Igor Gluscevic 72), Sionko (Jezek 90).