Didier Drogba came off the bench to score the winning goal for the Champions League struggling Blues.

After missing much of the season through injury, Drogba scored the decider in the 71st minute. Joe Cole lofted the ball over the defense to set up the Ivory Coast striker, who controlled it with a deft first touch before shooting it past goalkeeper Nuno Claro.

Salomon Kalou had put Chelsea ahead five minutes before halftime after latching onto Deco's free kick, but Yssouf Kone equalized in the 55th minute.

A draw for Chelsea coupled with a win for Bordeaux over AS Roma would have seen the London club knocked out of the competition. But AS Roma went ahead in the 61st minute en route to a 2-0 win, meaning Chelsea's second place was never in jeopardy.

Chelsea's fate went down to the final round of matches because of a 3-1 loss at AS Roma and 1-1 draw with Bordeaux. The Blues also drew 0-0 at Cluj, making them winless away from home in group play for the first time.