« Back to article

Print this article

Photos: London turns blue as Champions Chelsea return

Thousands of Chelsea fans lined the streets of west London on Sunday to see the club's first Champions League-winning side parade the trophy.

The Blues went straight to their Stamford Bridge ground from the airport after flying back from Munich, where they beat Bayern Munich in a penalty shootout the previous evening.

The rolling procession kicked off from Stamford Bridge, with manager Roberto Di Matteo, captain John Terry and the rest of the double-winning Chelsea team displaying their newly-won silverware.

Captain John Terry led a chant of "Champione, champione, ole, ole, ole".

Here are the pictures for Chelsea's victory parade in London:

Photos: London turns blue as Champions Chelsea return

Chelsea lost to Manchester United in the 2008 final on penalties but erased that painful memory as they held their nerve to become London's first European champions.

Frank Lampard"I believe a lot in destiny. It was written a long time ago. This team is amazing and I dedicate this cup to all the managers and players we had before," Drogba said.

"(My equaliser) changed the game. Life is fantastic."

Photos: London turns blue as Champions Chelsea return

Chelsea looked down and out when Thomas Muller arrived at the back post to bounce a header into the net from Toni Kroos's deep cross in the 83rd minute.

Muller was buried under his joyous team mates as Bayern appeared to have clinched the trophy but there was to be a sting in the tail.

With two minutes remaining, Chelsea earned their first corner and when the ball was swung in Drogba climbed high to crash a header past Neuer.

Photos: London turns blue as Champions Chelsea return

Chelsea's success, built on the millions invested in the club over the last nine years by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, came on another night of unlikely glory in a season that seemed to be going nowhere under coach Andre Villas-Boas who was sacked in March.

Chelsea were rejuvenated by interim coach Roberto Di Matteo who not only steered them to this success but also won the FA Cup two weeks ago.

Photos: London turns blue as Champions Chelsea return

Di Matteo ended the campaign not only with the two cups, but also making Chelsea the first London club to win the trophy since the competition began 57 years ago and guaranteed to play Champions League football again next season.

The match itself was similar to Chelsea's astonishing semi-final victory over Barcelona with both successes built on solid steel rearguard actions against sides that dominated them territorially and with possession of the ball.

Photos: London turns blue as Champions Chelsea return

Asked about the future of caretaker manager Di Matteo, who is far from guaranteed the job on a permanent basis, Terry said, "It's a club decision, but his CV looks incredible. He deserves it as much as anyone does because he took over at a difficult time for us and he's guided us and made us get to where we've got.

"It's up to the club to speak to him about but he's been brilliant," he added.