London, Aug 27: Chelsea beat Zilina 3-0 at home, 5-0 on aggregate. Chelsea booked their place in the group phase of the Champions League with a 3-0 victory over MSK Zilina and completed the signing of Hernan Crespo in a double celebration at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday (August 26). Argentina striker Crespo completed a move from Inter Milan, estimated to have cost 16 million pounds (25.03 million U.S. dollars). He will join compatriot and fellow newcomer Juan Sebastian Veron at the west London club where Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich has spent nearly 100 million pounds (157 million dollars) since taking over last month. Another new signing, defender Glen Johnson, headed Chelsea into the lead on Tuesday in the 32nd-minute. In the second half, Eidur Gudjohnsen burst through but his shot rebounded off a post. Robert Huth nodded the second goal in the 67th and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lashed in a third. Huth then hit a cracking shot which appeared to rebound off the bar over the line and out again, but no goal was given. Chelsea won 5-0 on aggregate.


Bureau Report