Chelsea on course for Champions League semi-finals as Salomon Kalou strike stuns Benfica in Lisbon In midfield, Raul Meireles, offered little that Frank Lampard could not have contributed; he was also booked early and mercilessly booed for his Porto connections. There were even unconfirmed reports that Meireles signalled his disapproval back. Benfica supporters showed a more sporting streak by staying on to applaud off Ramires and David Luiz, two of their former players. Chelsea fans were certainly saluting Luiz, who excelled alongside that habitual figure of defiance, John Terry. With Branislav Ivanovic still struggling with a thigh problem, Paulo Ferreira slotted in at right-back, rolling back the years with an assured display. Ashley Cole, giving a masterclass in the art of being in the right place at the right time, made some important clearances. Behind them, Petr Cech proved the rock of ages on which Benfica also foundered. By the final whistle, as reverie extended to thoughts of meeting Barcelona or AC Milan in the semi-finals, Chelsea's jubilant fans were serenading the departing locals with "cheerio" after a rendition of "it's so quiet in Lisbon." Victory tasted particularly sweet as the Shed on tour had been crammed into one section, the stewards refusing to let them move into four empty rows, causing brief tension. They had to survive some nervous moments watching their team down below but it soon became clear that Benfica were lacklustre in front of goal, all build-up and no finish. The club's famous eagle, swooping all over the stadium before kick-off, threatened the goals more. Chelsea were hardly troubled in the first half. Oscar Cardozo operated as the forward staging post for Benfica excursions, bringing Aimar and Alex Witsel into play and also beating Luiz in the air although his header failed to trouble Cech. Cech then held a long-ranger from Cesar. The first half lacked true edge, a feeling highlighted when Ferreira and Luiz engaged Cardozo and Jardel in small talk as they strolled to the tunnel. Cardozo's shot was cleared off the line by Luiz. Chelsea stood firm. Cole made a great block from the rampaging Maxi Pereira, who screamed vainfully for a penalty when the follow-up struck Terry. As some Benfica players were still remonstrating with the officials, Juan Mata so nearly scored, rounding Artur but the angle was always awkward and he did well to hit even the post. Then Cech did brilliantly to deny Jardel. As the Benfica fans in one corner continued to keep up the chants and the drumming, other parts of the stadium fell silent or sighed with frustration. Torres took the ball on, eluding Jardel, hurtling towards the line before crossing perfectly for Kalou. Chelsea's funny old season, of Premier League pain and Champions League joy, continues.