Chelsea outclassed by beautiful Barca

'A job well done' the view of most people last Tuesday when Chelsea flew to Barcelona and parked ten men in front of their own goal. Hiddink had masterminded a 0-0 and Chelsea would be able to win at Stamford Bridge. But that they were so pleased with a draw shows how dominant the Catalan were on the night.

All through the match Xavi ran from corner to corner stringing moves together and pulling the Chelsea defence, just as he did to England, in Sevilla last February. The little Spaniard is a genius at what he does, matched only by Andrea Pirlo and Xabi Alonso for connecting defence and attack with sharp incisive passes.

The English press praised Chelsea for (their admittedly excellent) organisation and solidity but had Henry and Eto'o been slightly more clinical, and the prodigious striker Bojan finished from four yards with the goal at his mercy, all the praise would be on the home side, and another inquisition into the technical weakness of Englsih clubs would be ongoing.

All night the ball seemed like an unwanted guest when Chelsea were in possession, a guest who couldn't wait to get home to his friendly neighbours- Xavi's left and right feet- where he could sit at ease. Pele once said you must treat the ball like a friend- Xavi was so well acquainted he may as well be married.

It is astounding that a team assembled for so many Russian millions and containing players of the calibre of Ballack and Lampard could be so comprehensively outplayed: albeit by a team of equal standing and with one of the most fearsome attacking triplets ever seen in world football. Drogba remained lively and had he taken his few chances gifted upon him by the Barcelona centre backs not through any Chelsea venture Hiddink's negativity may have payed off. A job well done it would have been and they could be rightly lauded. However as it is, with Barce flying to London on the back of what is being described as the greatest result in their history: a 6-2 demolition of Real Madrid in El Clasico; Messi, Henry, Eto'o et al will be- in the words of Danny Baker "licking their lips".