Chelsea triumph in Europa league

Frank Lampard to be offered another contract by Chelsea. Pic: Kickoff

Branislav Ivanovic buried a terrific looping header deep into stoppage time as Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1 to win the UEFA Europa League on Wednesday night.
Benfica started the game well with Oscar Cardozo heading over in the second minute before he saw another strike blocked Ivanovic in the 10th.
The chances continued for the Portuguese side with Nicholas Gaitan lifting over in the 11th minute before Rodrigo missed two chances in the 14th minute.
Frank Lampard finally brought the Blues into the game with a superb dipping shot in the 36th minute which was saved by the goalkeper while the midfielder fired over on the stroke of half-time.
Cardozo saw an early header ruled out for a tight offside call in the 51st minute and just eight minutes later Fernando Torres would open the scoring.
The Spaniard held off Luisao before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting his finish into the empty net.
Benfica took nine minutes to respond though as Azpilicueta blocked a lofted ball with an outstretched arm and Cardozo hammered home the resulting penalty.
Petr Cech then had to tip a shot from Cardozo wide in the 81st minute while Lampard smashed another superb strike against the crossbar.
There would be late drama though as a corner in the second minute of stoppage time was met by Ivanovic and it settled in at the far post as Chelsea claimed the title.