Ivanovic has the final word for Chelsea

They just never give up. Chelsea just keep on fighting. Just as thoughts were turning to extra-time last night, Branislav Ivanovic, who missed last year's Champions League final suspended, settled this Europa League final with a glorious header that looped through the air, watched by thousands of Chelsea fans who went totally crazy as it fell into the back of the net.

As the ball went in, Rafael Benitez turned away with a clenched fist and then a smile. Moments later, at the final whistle, Chelsea really got the party started. The injured John Terry hobbled on, wearing his full strip, and the celebrations intensified. It was all such a contrast to a diffident start.

Chelsea had begun nervously. Their fans sensed it, increasing their backing. They were out in force, comfortably exceeding the ludicrously low allocation of 9,800, paying over the odds, finding space in corporate areas, just making sure they were there.

Chelsea supporters had come from all four corners of the globe from Gothenburg, New York, Adelaide and Basildon, determined to show their support. They had their flags, thanking Roman Abramovich, declaring "we want Mourinho", and how they were "proud of our history".

This had been another chance to enhance that history. It was only the Europa League, only the Champions League's unassuming younger sibling but it was still a trophy, still worth fighting for. The early stages had not been encouraging for Chelsea. Benfica started far the better, putting together slick, rolling moves, the ball speeding between receptive feet and perceptive minds.

The pitch looked over-watered, almost as if designed for the pre-match tulip parade rather than a football final. Some players slipped but it certainly assisted Benfica's passing style, creating opportunities. Early on, Oscar Cardozo muscled his way in front of Gary Cahill to head over.

Duels swiftly developed. Oscar took a look at Benfica's right-back, Andre Almeida, and had a few darts at him. Eduardo Salvio tried to wriggle his way past Ashley Cole. Nemanja Matic, formerly of Chelsea, was dropping back to keep an eye on Juan Mata, covering more 6.1?km in the first period, the most of all involved in a half but short on delivery.

Even when Chelsea broke, Frank Lampard driving a long ball to -Ramires on the right, Ezequiel Garay covered superbly. With Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Eusebio looking on, the final was not quite a game fit for footballing kings.

It needed a goal. Benfica spent time moving the ball in and around Chelsea's area but either over-elaborated or were snuffed out. Cole blocked a Cardozo shot. Nicolas Gaitan wafted an effort over. Chelsea were placed under unnecessary pressure because of their laxness in midfield. David Luiz lost the ball. Oscar was -cautioned for tugging back Enzo Perez. Only the agility of Lampard rescued Chelsea, the midfielder hooking the ball clear.

This was the sort of near-siege where Chelsea needed John Terry's leadership, organising, exhorting and making blocks. He was injured, continuing his bad personal luck in European finals.

Yet Chelsea are nothing if not resilient. They broke out again. Ramires found Oscar but his shot failed to trouble Artur. In the Benfica dug-out, Jorge Jesus bounced around like a shaggy-haired Paolo Di Canio, living every moment, stamping his feet when Gaitan's attempt with the outside of his left boot faded well wide. Luiz surrendered possession again. Branislav Ivanovic cleaned up.

Yet Chelsea enjoyed the best opportunity of the half. Lampard let fly with one of his 20-yard specials. Artur was going to his right, following the path of the ball which suddenly, mis-cheviously moved away like a school urchin escaping a teacher in the -playground. Lampard's shot was now speeding to Artur's left. Surely Chelsea had an unlikely lead. Artur had other ideas. Even though wrong-footed, the keeper did brilliantly to stretch out a hand and push the ball over. Chelsea actually finished the half strongly, Mata causing problems with a cross and then Oscar seizing on some uncertain defending, -darting through before being fouled by Garay. Lampard's free-kick disappeared over. It summed up the first half.

The second half immediately showed a quickening of tempo, goals soon arriving. Cesar Azpilicueta did well to cleared as Rodrigo lurked.

Cardozo was fractionally offside when heading in Gaitan's cross. Then Chelsea made that telling break just before the hour. Then Torres reminded everyone of his enduring class. It came from a long Petr Cech clearance, misread by Garay, gifting Torres a run at goal. This was the Torres of old, the Spanish conquistador who enjoyed so many golden moments running through with the ball at his feet during his Liverpool days. Torres sped past Luisao, who slipped and tried to ankle-tap him. Torres then feinted to go left, throwing Artur off-balance, before going right. Artur, despairingly, dived at Torres' feet, forcing Chelsea's No?9 wide but he showed accuracy, balance and composure to sweep from a tightening angle into the net. The wave of celebration ripping through the Chelsea fans lasted only nine minutes. Down the other end, Azpilicueta waved his hand towards a header from Salvio and the Dutch referee, Bjorn Kuipers, pointed to the spot. As Cech jiggled on his line, Cardozo stayed calm, powering the ball past the Chelsea keeper.

Chelsea fans sighed. They showed more dissent moments later when the stadium announcer revealed that the attendance was 46,663, thanking both sets of support for their backing. Chelsea fans booed and whistled derisively, indicating their dissatisfaction at Uefa's miserly allocation. Their frustration deepened at the sight of some empty seats in some neutral areas.

Some spaces soon appeared in their own defence. Cardozo, clearly Benfica's danger-man, was given far too much room in front of goal and connected powerfully with the ball left-footed. Only Cech's reflexes saved Chelsea, the keeper pushing the ball over. Jardel then headed over. Yet Chelsea still threatened on the break. After some clever work by Mata, Ramires accelerated through, powering down the inside-right channel. Just as the Brazilian was about to shoot, Luisao slid in to make a vital block. Such was the quality of the interception, and importance, that Luisao permitted himself some fist-pumping celebrations.

After 87 minutes, what appeared the perfect script was almost written. Mata did well to work the ball back to Lampard despite being closely marked. The England international, who is close to signing a new one-year contract at the Bridge, struck the ball so sweetly and it cleared the leaping Artur before smacking into the crossbar. Extra-time seemed inevitable. But then came another Mata corner. Then came Ivanovic. Chelsea never give up.