Fernando Torres coolly finished off a swift
counterattack to give the Blues the lead against the run of play shortly
before the hour mark.
Oscar Cardozo soon equalised from the
penalty spot after Cesar Azplicueta's handball but Ivanovic struck in
the 93rd minute to ensure that Rafa Benitez's reign at Stamford Bridge
ended in silverware.
Benfica, who suffered a dramatic defeat in
their virtual title-decider against Porto in their last outing, were
anchored by former Chelsea youngster Nemanja Matic in central midfield,
while Pablo Aimar, a Spanish Liga winner under Benitez at Valencia, was
on the bench.
Eden Hazard and John Terry were missing from the
Blues squad due to injury so Oscar joined Juan Mata and Ramires in
support of Torres, while Ivanovic partnered Gary Cahill at centre-back
as David Luiz pushed into midfield.
If there was any despondency
lingering in the Benfica ranks following their loss at the Estadio do
Dragao, it did not show in the early stages.
Led by the towering
presence of Matic, Cardozo, Nicolas Gaitan and Rodrigo all had chances
in the opposition penalty area in the opening quarter of an hour but
were denied by a combination of last-ditch Chelsea defending and a
heavily watered and consequently slippery pitch.
Gradually,
though, Benitez's team improved. Frank Lampard's swerving 25-yard effort
seemed to have wrong-footed Artur but, after diving to his right, the
goalkeeper flung out his left arm to push the ball over the crossbar in
spectacular style.
Mata was seeing more of the ball and whipped
in a dangerous cross from the left that Ezequiel Garay was able to clear
with three blue shirts lurking nearby before the former Real Madrid
defender was booked for cynically hauling down Oscar when it looked as
if the Brazilian might drive through on goal.
Bellowed on by
their coach, Jorge Jesus, Benfica retook the initiative after half-time
and Chelsea were saved by a correctly raised offside flag when Cardozo
nodded home Gaitan's excellent cross from the right.
The Premier
League club, though, were happy to go route one to take the lead. Petr
Cech's long throw to the centre circle was hooked on through the middle
of the Benfica defence by Mata and Torres, after shaking off the company of Luisao, calmly rounded Artur and slotted home.
Jesus
responded by reinforcing his attack with the introduction of Lima and
Ola John and the change immediately paid dividends. After exchanging a
one-two with Cardozo, Lima looked to flick the ball past Azpilicueta
only to see the right-back block with his hand.
The Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Cardozo finished decisively from 12 yards.
The
Paraguayan appeared to hurt himself in taking the spot kick but was
able to carry on and forced a fine tipped save from Cech with a 20-yard
volley as the final entered its last 10 minutes of the regulation 90.
Lampard
would go even closer, rattling the crossbar with a terrific drive from
distance, but Chelsea did not rue the 34-year-old's miss. In the third
and final minute of added time, Ivanovic rose at the back post with Artur rooted to the spot.
The
Serbian's error gifted Cardozo a glorious chance to draw Benfica level
for the second time with the last kick but Cahill and Cech combined
heroically to shepherd the ball to safety and deliver the trophy.
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Queen Salawa’s daughter, Candy turned 30 and Denrele, Essence, JJC Skillz and other celebs were there to celebrate with her.
Queen Salawa, Formally crowned Queen of Nigerian music has released over 60 records.
More Photos below
Durant fends off Walker challenge
AREA LEGISLATIVE CONTESTS
Incumbent state Rep. Peter J. Durant, R-Spencer, retained his seat in yesterday's general election, holding off Kathleen Walker, a Charlton Democrat.
Sexy Omotola Jalade Is The Highest Grossing Actress In Nollywood
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde continues to prove that there is more to her than her curve-ridden figure as she emerges biggest box-office actress of the year.
The actress was recently honoured in the UK as the first-ever African BEFFTA (Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television and Arts) Film Icon for her contribution to the film industry in Africa, Europe and globally.
The year 2012 will be one in which the duo of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and film maker Obi Emelonye won’t forget in a hurry as the duo grabbed the headlines in spectacular fashion judging by the quality of the kind of jobs they both did.
The movie, Last Flight to Abuja produced and directed by award winning Obi Emelonye first grabbed the headlines when it reportedly sold more than 8million in its first week at the cinema!
Omotola’s popularity and box-office credibility was put to test when the movie, opened at the cinema. The premiere till date remains the biggest premiere of any movie with six packed halls, a record no premiere has beaten. Last Flight to Abuja also starred Hakeem Kae Kazeem, Jim Iyke, Jide Kosoko and others.
Last Flight to Abuja is still showing at the cinema and it has already grossed 24 million, thereby making it the highest box office earner this year! No other movie has come close to this record so far.
It would be recalled that the same movie director produced Mirror Boy a movie that made 18 million at the cinema..
The year 2012 has been incredible for super star, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde; from being the highest paid actress to being the busiest on locations of big budget movies, now famously called “the new Nollywood” Omosexy has had a full calendar and bag as well.
It will be recalled that the sexy superstar starred in the acclaimed Ties That Bind alongside Hollywood’s Kimberley Elise, Kofi Adjorlolo, ama K, Khareemar Aguiar among others..
Still in 2012 Omosexy as she’s fondly called played the leading role in the High budget Tarila Thompson’s movie ,”Up Creek “still in post production. She was also on call for Teco Benson’s film “Blood on the Lagoon” also in post production.
The multiple award winner thereafter went on to star in the movie AMINA alongside British actor Wil Johnson and Vincent Regan , a movie written, produced and directed by Christian Ashaiku, where she plays the character of a woman suffering from mental disorder. The movie recently premiered at the prestigious Empire Leicester square London to great reviews.
As icing on the cake the actress was recently Honored As the First ever African BEFFTA Film Icon for her contribution to the film industry in Africa, Europe and globally. BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts) award is Europe’s biggest award ceremony celebrating achievements of black and ethnic personalities in showbiz globally.
Omotola is a United Nation World Food Programme Ambassador and Amnesty International Activist. The talented actress is a role model who gives back to the youths through her own charity, Omotola Youth Empowerment Programme (OYEP)
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