Chelsea vs. Steaua Bucharest Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Chelsea finished their Champions League group stage with a routine 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest to finish top of their quartet.

"

Tonight's guest at Stamford Bridge was the first overseas player to make 200 appearances for Chelsea. The brilliant Dan Petrescu! #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) December 11, 2013"

The home side were immediately on the front foot after kick-off and had a series of chances in the opening 10 minutes, with Frank Lampard twice going close in particular.

Chelsea didn't have to wait long for their goal, though, as Demba Ba pressured right-back Daniel Georgievski enough after a corner to ensure the defender couldn't keep the ball out of the net. After some debate, the Chelsea forward was credited with the goal.

The Blues dominated most of the first half with Steaua sitting deep, but there wasn't an awful lot of urgency in the game. Lampard went close with a long-range effort, Branislav Ivanovic saw a header tipped over from close range and Steaua's Gabriel Iancu missed a one-on-one chance, but it was relatively tame fare all round.

After the break, it was much more of the same; Chelsea happy to wait for their chances, Steaua entirely uninventive and ill-prepared to attack.

A host of substitutions slowed the game further, though Ba should have had a second when he blazed over from close range. Later in the game the striker had a goal disallowed for offside, though he may have been level, while Champions League debutant Mark Schwarzer was largely untested in Chelsea's goal.

"

Great to see this man in goals for Chelsea in the Champions League. Debut at 41 years old. #foxfootball pic.twitter.com/MWMdSquYlf

— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) December 11, 2013"

Key Player Grades

Eden Hazard: B

Chelsea's brightest spark on a fairly dull night. The Belgian remained keen to get on the ball and attack the Steaua defence, though he lacked end product this time around. Effective at cutting in from the left as always but also had a few moments of impact from a central position.

Demba Ba: C+

Scored a goal, just about, but didn't really take his chance to cement his place in the team. Showed good endeavour and a thumping finish for his offside "goal," but the tempo of the game didn't really help him. Fluffed his lines with an early second-half chance.

POSITION	PLAYER	GRADE
SUBS
G	Schwarzer	C
D	Ivanovic	C+
D	Terry	B
D	Luiz	B
D	Cole	C+
M	Mikel	C+
M	Lampard	C+
M	Oscar	C
F	Willian	C+
F	Hazard	B
F	Ba	C+
F	Schurrle	C
M	Ramires	C
F	De Bruyne	C

POSITION	PLAYER	GRADE
SUBS
G	Tatarusanu	C+
D	Georgievski	D
D	Szukala	B
D	Gardos	C
D	Latovlevici	C
M	Pintilii	D+
M	Chipciu	D+
M	Iancu	C+
M	Stanciu	C+
M	Parvulescu	D
F	Kapetanos	D
M	Prepelita	C
M	Tatu	C
F	Piovaccari	C

What's Next?

Chelsea had already qualified for the knockout stages and merely sealed top spot with this win. Steaua finished bottom of the group and are knocked out of Europe.

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