Lampard strikes as Chelsea earn point at Valencia

Valencia 1 Chelsea 1

Andre Villas-Boas’ recall of Frank Lampard was totally vindicated but the Chelsea manager’s decision to substitute him backfired spectacularly as Valencia snatched a draw in tonight’s Champions League clash at the Mestalla.

Lampard looked to have scored a trademark winner that would have put the visitors in complete command of Group E but Villas-Boas brought him off for Salomon Kalou with seven minutes remaining and the new man immediately conceded a penalty.

Roberto Soldado scored, with Chelsea’s frustrations boiling over at the final whistle after what was a missed opportunity.

Lampard was recalled for Chelsea’s Champions League clash at Valencia tonight as Andre Villas-Boas made three changes for the Group E clash at the Mestalla.

England midfielder Lampard had started three of the previous four matches on the bench, with his recall appearing further proof he is now being held back for the big games.

David Luiz and Florent Malouda also started, while Valencia dropped goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, the Spaniards otherwise reverting to the side which almost beat Barcelona in their last Primera Liga home game.

Speculation about Lampard's future dominated the build-up to tonight's game, which saw Chelsea return to the stadium where they had won on their two previous visits.

Tonight was also an early reunion for Juan Mata with the team he had left just over a month earlier for £23.5million.

Despite being mobbed at the airport yesterday, there was no sell-out crowd to greet him this evening, with Chelsea apparently not the only club struggling to fill their ground for Champions League group games this season.

The home fans did their best to create an intimidating atmosphere but they were almost silenced inside three minutes when captain David Albelda presented the ball to Fernando Torres, who was bundled over in the box by Adil Rami but strangely elected not to appeal.

Victor Ruiz nearly put the ball in his own net two minutes later as Chelsea assumed complete command and, while Valencia began to settle, looked a threat every time they broke.

Ruiz was booked for what was nearly a last-man tackle on Ramires, with Lampard’s low free-kick saved by Diego Alves.

Valencia finally began to look like the side that had caused Barcelona so many problems and went close in the 25th minute when Pablo Hernandez sent Jordi Alba’s cross into the side-netting.

The home side continued to press, but to little effect, and Ever Banega resorted to going down clutching his face after a clash with Malouda.

A low-key first half ended with Roberto Soldado sending a 25-yard volley on the turn straight at Petr Cech.

Albelda earned an early booking for tripping Malouda after the restart but the game continued to plod along until it exploded into life in the 51st minute.

Jose Bosingwa was given all the time and space he needed to swing in a cross for Torres, whose bullet header was somehow clawed away by Alves after the keeper initially went the wrong way.

Valencia surged down the other end and Soldado somehow failed to get his head on Hernandez’s cross.

Alves then completely justified his selection with three stunning saves in two minutes, first when one-on-one with Ramires, then from point-blank range from Torres and then when Ruiz diverted a corner towards his own net.

But he was statuesque as Chelsea finally took the lead in the 56th minute, Lampard drilling home his first goal of the season from open play from 20 yards after being picked out by Malouda.

Lampard barely celebrated but was mobbed by his team-mates.

Soldado’s touch let him down after Banega’s ball put him one on one with Cech, who then got away with a mix-up with Ashley Cole.

The home side sent on Pablo Piatti for Jeremy Mathieu and Villas-Boas responded by withdrawing the excellent Ramires – who picked up a knock in the first half - for Raul Meireles.

Cech kept Chelsea’s lead intact when he tipped over Piatti’s rising drive as Valencia began to go for broke, manager Unai Emery throwing on Jonas and Sofiane Feghouli for the final 18 minutes as Chelsea introduced Nicolas Anelka for Torres.

Cech held Feghouli’s deflected drive and Piatti went close again but Malouda could have killed the contest when he shot tamely at Alves after a well-crafted break.

Lampard left the field to a standing ovation from the travelling fans – one which was reciprocated – as Salomon Kalou came on for the final seven minutes.

It proved a disastrous substitution as Kalou immediately gave the ball to Jonas, whose 25-yard curler was tipped wide by Cech, and the striker then inexplicably handled the resultant corner in the box.

Referee Nicola Rizzoli had no hesitation pointing to the spot and booking the new man before Soldado stroked the penalty beyond Cech with just three minutes remaining.

But there was still time for Anelka to waste a glorious chance to win it in the final minute as Alves once again came out on top in a one-on-one clash before a heavy touch once again let down Soldado at the other end.

The game finished with a flurry of yellow cards, as Villas-Boas stepped in to calm down his frustrated stars.