Chelsea 2 - 2 Atletico Madrid

Didier Drogba struck twice to earn Chelsea a draw at Atletico Madrid and seal their progress from the Champions League group stages. A thunderous Sergio Aguero volley had put the home side ahead before Drogba rose highest to head in an equaliser from a Florent Malouda cross. Drogba then sidefooted in at the second attempt, after his first shot had been saved, to put Chelsea in front. But Aguero curled in a late 25-yard free-kick to deny the Blues victory. Drogba was back after a three-game European ban after his wild antics following the semi-final defeat to Barcelona in last year's competition. And his goals showed him at his powerful and clinical best but glossed over a Chelsea display which had rarely shown the kind of edge and authority which has seen them win their last four games on the bounce and score 17 goals in the process. Atletico have had a change of manager since Chelsea beat them 4-0 two weeks ago and new coach Quique Sanchez Flores wanted the Spanish team to show a more positive intent. Ahead of the game he had claimed Atletico had more to gain than to lose, having yet to pick up a point, and the home side - backed by a fervent Vicente Calderon crowd - showed the type of urgency and desire they have lacked too often during a poor season. Chelsea, though, soaked up the early pressure before almost catching Atletico out at the other end. Michael Essien's determination on the edge of the home side's area saw the ball break for Drogba and he instantly swivelled and struck an angled shot which went just wide. But former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes, given a rare start by Atletico, had one shimmy and left-foot curler tipped over by keeper Petr Cech. Chelsea were relying on catching out their opponents on the counter-attack and almost did so when Salomon Kalou steered a header from an Ashley Cole cross just over the bar. Frank Lampard powered a shot wide, while a Drogba free-kick was also palmed on to the post and clear of danger by keeper Sergio Asenjo. However, Chelsea - in contrast to Atletico - were waiting for things to happen rather than taking the initiative.They were eventually punished as they conceded their first goal in the Champions League this season - Atletico's first of their campaign in Europe. John Terry inadvertently flicked on a cross and Atletico substitute Aguero sent a volley flying past a helpless Cech. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti had rested regular first-team players Nicolas Anelka and Deco as well as Michael Ballack with a game against Manchester United coming upon Sunday. But he was forced to bring the trio on as he tried to get his team back into the game. Deco sent a volley narrowly wide before the substitutions worked as Drogba nodded in from six yards. The Ivory Coast international striker then left two defenders in his wake to break clean through on goal and, despite his first shot being saved, he made no mistake from the follow-up to take his tally to 12 goals for the season.However, Atletico maintained their record of not losing at home this season when the hightly-rated Aguero curled in a superb free-kick to earn a deserved draw. Nevertheless, with 10 points from their first four Group D games, Chelsea's progress into the first knockout round of the Champions League was assured.