Chelsea 0 Valencia 0:If Avram Grant's reign as Chelsea manager took flight against Valencia at the Mestalla in early October, then there were more prosaic qualities on show in the Stamford Bridge return, and certainly less excitement.

Chelsea dominated the tie but lacked cutting edge. Salomon Kalou and Joe Cole, the substitute, were denied by the woodwork and Santiago Canizares made a succession of good saves.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was prominent, giving Emiliano Moretti an intense examination, and it was his intelligent ball that released Frank Lampard in the early running.

Lampard crossed for Andriy Shevchenko, who had stolen yards of space in front of goal. He slid, though, generating little power, and Canizares could smuggle the ball behind.

Chelsea were on the front foot for much of the first half and Canizares was relieved that two dangerous centres, whipped in by Wayne Bridge and Paulo Ferreira, were too long for Shevchenko and Pizarro.

Chelsea deserved the lead and would have taken it but for Canizares. The veteran saved brilliantly from Lampard's drive and in more regulation fashion from Claudio Pizarro.

Pizarro then shot at Canizares and, moments later, was let down by his touch. But the agonies were only just beginning.

Pizarro headed square for Kalou to drive against the underside of the bar and after Canizares had saved again from Pizarro, Cole watched his shot wriggle under the goalkeeper but ricochet to safety off the post.

CHELSEA: Cech, Ferreira (Belletti 71), Ben-Haim, Terry, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Essien, Lampard (Joe Cole 62), Kalou, Pizarro, Shevchenko (Makelele 46). Subs not used: Cudicini, Sidwell, Obi, Alex.

VALENCIA: Canizares, Miguel (Fernandes 64), Albiol, Helguera, Moretti, Sunny, Marchena, Silva, Villa (Arizmendi 50), Morientes, Vicente (Mata 74). Subs not used: Mora, Zigic, Lomban, Montoro. Booked: Canizares.

Referee: Grzegorz Gilewski (Poland).