Valencia 1-1 Chelsea: Diego Alves inspirational for hosts as Soldado penalty cancels out Lampard opener

Chelsea were denied all three points at the Mestalla as Roberto Soldado's 87th minute penalty kick cancelled out Frank Lampard's early second-half goal, earning Valencia a 1-1 draw in Champions League Group E.

The Blues led courtesy of the England midfielder's strike, only to see Salomon Kalou's handball inside the box give Valencia a lifeline, one that they would take advantage of as the match drew to a close.

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The Spanish side struggled early, and a foul by Victor Ruiz on Ramires nearly proved costly, as Frank Lampard's powerful, low free-kick was saved well by Diego Alves.

Ten minutes later, the momentum shifted as the ball remained in Chelsea's defensive half for several minutes, but Unai Emery's men could not take advantage of the possession they held.

Alves stole the show early in the second half with four stellar saves in a three-minute span, including denying Ramires and a Fernando Torres header right in front of goal. Then, as Torres swivelled inside the area, he spread himself to glance the striker's volley wide of the post with his body.

He could however not deny Lampard, as the veteran midfielder waited just inside the box to lash home Florent Malouda's low cross after the former Lyon man did all the build-up work.

As the second half progressed, the teams exchanged chances, with Valencia creating the clearer openings, but their attempts were denied by Petr Cech, who produced two superb blocks from Pablo Piatti and Jonas.

That was until Kalou's vital mistake, allowing the ball to strike him on the hand, and Soldado took the spot kick, sending Cech the other way as his calm, low effort found the right side of the net.

Chelsea might have won it at the death, but Alves was not to be be beaten again, blocking substitute Nicolas Anelka's shot with his foot. With the draw, Chelsea lead Group E with four points from two matches, while Valencia have two points from as many games.

The next tournament fixtures for the two clubs will be on October 19. Valencia face Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, and Chelsea host Genk.