Antonino Vecchio, Switzerland
Aleksandrs Kolinko, Juris Laizans, Levans Silagasze, Mihails Zemlinskis, Andrejs Tereskins (Sent Off) Imants Bleidelis, Vitalijs Astafjevs, Alexander Rekhviashvili, Andrejs Rubins, David Chaladze, Mihails Miholaps
Blagonnadezdins (Chaladze 41), Menteshashvili (Miholaps 77)
With all credit to the team from Latvia we completly deserved the victory however we had to wait a long time to hit the back of the net.
It was one of those nights when you thought the ball was never going to go in, the Skonto goalkeeper Kolinko making save after, after save to keep us out.
They played with at least 5 players behind the ball and when Tereskins was sent off for kicking Leboeuf they packed their defence even tighter.
How we waited for a opening goal, wisy hitting the post, Petrescu and Sutton both missing clear chances, you sensed we were just not destined to score, and take a 0-0 score to Latvia which is not the ideal scoreline if you want to qualify for the Champions League proper.
With a inspired substitution by Vialli bringing on Baba , it was not long before we saw the inspired Babayaro score with a great drive from the edge of the box.
The second goal was a brilliant goal by Gus yet again with a curling shot , leaving goalkeeper Kolinko with no chance of stopping it.
The 3rd goal I personally enjoyed as it was scored by Chris Sutton his first goal for Chelsea and more to follow.
I thought he had a great game, held the ball up well bringing teamates into attacking situations and done well considering he endured having his shirt pulled on every attack, and he looked dangerous all night.
I just hope that the sceptical fans and the press get off his back because he will improve and score many more goals for us.
Chelsea showed Europe that we are a now a big noise in European football, with are team of Internationals we may just go all the way.
The only downside of the night was the crowd, how we dont fill the stadium in the Champions League I dont know, if we are to be succesfull in this competition we need to fill the stadium and create a atmosphere so teams wont enjoy coming to Stamford Bridge, we have our part to play too.
"Watch out Europe here we come"
Onwards to Latvia for the 2nd Leg
Viva Vialli