Quick Report: Inter Milan 2-1 Chelsea

(GSM) – Esteban Cambiasso’s goal gave Inter Milan a narrow 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Diego Milito’s fine strike put Inter in front before three minutes were played, but Salomon Kalou answered just after the restart for a dominant Chelsea side.

That lead lasted only four minutes until Cambiasso struck the winner, giving Inter narrow lead heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

With just under three minutes on the clock, Inter went in front at the San Siro when Argentinian striker Milito took a touch past John Terry before beating Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.

Didier Drogba was twice frustrated in the opening half-hour as Chelsea controlled the majority of the play, but goalkeeper Julio César kept Inter in it.

It looked like Chelsea would have a penalty just before half-time when Kalou went down under the challenge of Walter Samuel, but referee Manuel Mejuto González ignored the claim.

Six minutes into the second half, though, Kalou equalized with a vital away goal when his shot from outside the area found its way into the net off the hand of Julio César.

Cambiasso, though, restored Inter’s lead in the 55th minute when he latched onto Wesley Sneijder’s cross before unleashing a shot past Cech, who went off injured a who minutes later.

Chelsea never had a better look at goal after that, and Inter held on for a narrow victory.