CHELSEA 3

LEVSKI SOFIA 0

Scorer: Gudjohnsen (44min, 74), Lampard (90).

Eidur Gudjohnsen displayed an immaculate sense of timing as he seized on a rare chance to shine by illuminating Chelsea's UEFA Cup first round tie against Levski Sofia last night.

Gudjohnsen, who had previously only appeared for three minutes as a substitute this season, was handed his first start of the current campaign due to leading scorer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's two-game European ban.

He did not let his club down as he struck twice, with Frank Lampard completing the scoring in the final minute, to give Chelsea a healthy lead for the second leg next week.

Gudjohnsen, the 23-year-old Icelandic stand-in, proved the need for all leading clubs to have at least three front-line strikers, with Chelsea coping despite the loss of their leading scorer Hasselbaink. Indeed, with captain Marcel Desailly absent through injury and Emmanuel Petit going off with a chest infection after 30 minutes, the Blues were deprived of the entire experienced spine of their side.

And they certainly struggled to impose themselves for much of the first-half to get into their stride.

Boudewijn Zenden was prominent in the early forays, having a penalty appeal turned down, clipping a free-kick over the bar and then being denied by the keeper's outstretched legs after being put through by Lampard. That was all in the space of just 10 minutes, but Chelsea were otherwise failing to break down Levski's organised defence.

Gudjohnsen at least took the initiative with a forward burst only for his shot to barely reach the goal-line, while even a free-kick in prime Gianfranco Zola territory went straight into the keeper's arms.

Indeed, after almost knocking out Galatasaray in the Champions League final qualifying round, Levski threatened in pacy counter-attacks, with right wing-back Martim Stankov allowed far too much space.

Chelsea's cause was not helped by the withdrawal of Petit, while stand-in captain Graeme Le Saux offered their only real penetration, albeit with an inconsistent end product down the left flank. Frustration levels were therefore building, with Ed de Goey's reflexes also tested by a volley from Ilian Stoyanov.

However, Gudjohnsen eased the nerves by striking almost out of nowhere just as injury-time began.

Collecting the ball from a throw-in, he held off two challenges and weaved his way into the penalty area before chipping an accomplished finish over the keeper without breaking stride.

The goal inevitably lifted Chelsea and they made a brighter start to the second half, with Gudjohnsen and then Zola both going close.

With Levski appearing to tire, the forward surges increased as Zenden fired narrowly over the top and substitute Jody Morris sent a lob too high after Gudjohnsen's perceptive through-ball.

Zenden's close-range header was also pushed around the post shortly afterwards but there was nothing that keeper Georg Petkov could do to deny Gudjohnsen as he headed home the ensuing corner in 73 minutes.

Levski rallied briefly, with Rogerio Botelho shooting across the face of goal, while Stanimir Stoilov flashed a drive just past the far post, but Chelsea were not to be denied.

Indeed, they secured a vital third goal in the final few seconds as Lampard, who was initially denied by the keeper from Zenden's cross, managed to convert the rebound.

Chelsea were home and dry. They will travel to Bulgaria next week more in expectation than hope now.

Chelsea de Goey, Melchiot, Gallas, Terry, Le Saux, Zenden, Lampard, Petit, Jokanovic, Gudjohnsen, Zola. Subs: Ferrer, Di Cesare, Morris, Dalla Bona, Aleksidze, Knight, Bosnich

Levski Sofia Petkov, Stankov, Stoilov, Biser Ivanov, Markov, Genchev, Botelho, Topuzakov, Golovskoj, Chilikov, Stoyanov. Subs: Trenchev, Angelov, Telkiiski, Dragich, Pantelic, Ivankov, Tzvetino

Referee Helmut Fleischer (Hallstadt)