Stalemate no disaster for Lampard

A failure to see off the opposition at home in the UEFA Champions League; a failure to get on the scoresheet. These are not criticisms that can often be levelled at Chelsea FC yet despite a 0-0 scoreline with Valencia CF at Stamford Bridge, they believe there were enough positives in the performance to provide confidence for the tougher battles that lie ahead.

Lampard satisfied
"I think we played very well," said Frank Lampard on a night when the London club missed chance after chance to deepen the misery of a Spanish team who with just five points and two goals – none scored since the ninth minute of Matchday 2 – finished at the foot of Group B. "Without their goalkeeper and with a bit better finishing we would have won pretty comfortably. It's a shame that the goals did not come but the way we played throughout the first half and in the last half hour was very good and we should take confidence from it."

African commitments
Confidence will be important with a difficult away game at Premier League leaders Arsenal FC to come for Avram Grant's side at the weekend. Meanwhile, the UEFA Champions League goes on the back burner until the end of February. When it resumes, Chelsea will pray that their run of form is intact – 16 matches undefeated now – and that their players who will spend January on duty in the African Cup of Nations return unscathed.

Drogba absent
The Valencia fixture emphasised how much they have come to rely on Didier Drogba in games when one flash of brilliance can make the difference between victory and frustration. The chances began piling up for Grant's men early in the game and again late when they were denied by the woodwork on three occasions. In Drogba's absence following his knee operation, more responsibility falls on Andriy Shevchenko who might have changed the complexion of the night completely had he taken a fourth-minute opportunity which he put too close to Santiago Cañizares.

Shevchenko disappointed
The Ukraine striker was disappointed to be replaced at half-time and hopes to be given a longer run in the team. "It's important for every player to play," he said. "It's important for me that the coach gives me the chance to play. I have to play every game the best I can. When I play I try and work very hard for the team. I feel good and I hope to play on Sunday because it's a very important game."