The first draw of the season is enough for Chelsea to make the next stage of the Champions League, Didier Drogba scoring twice on the night.

It was a game that exploded late on, the Blues coming from behind to take the lead with less than five minute remaining, only for substitute Sergio Aguero to equalise in stoppage time.

It had been Aguero who had put the Spaniards 1-0 up midway through the second half, the first they had scored in the group stage and the first Chelsea had conceded. It had needed a classy finish to break down a Blues defence that had operated better than the attack.

The front runners had found decent possession hard to come by, that was until the ball began to fall Drogba's way.

He had returned for his first Champions League action of the season and Joe Cole for his first of 2009. Cole played with Kalou as attacking support players behind Drogba in a Christmas tree formation that saw Malouda come into midfield in place of Ballack, given a breather after four consecutive 90 minute games, at least until the second half.

In defence, Ashley Cole was back for the first time in four games and Alex was able to start his second game of the season. The right-back, as against Atlético two weeks ago. was Belletti.

New Madrid boss Flores decided to leave highly-rated 21-year-old Aguero on the bench so ex-Liverpool striker Sinama Pongolle started alongside Forlan in attack. Another ex-Premier League player, Reyes, once of Highbury, came into midfield having been a sub at the Bridge.

The opening minutes of the game were played in the Chelsea half, and it needed Drogba to head behind a testing free-kick from Simao.

When Chelsea did advance, Essien's cross was too close to the keeper. Atlético were soon up the other end and Forlan shot wide in the fifth minute.

On eight minutes, Chelsea did come alive - first when some horrendous home defending gifted the ball to Malouda in the box but the shot was blocked. Soon it was at the feet of Drogba who slipped as he sent a difficult chance wide.

Alex did well to tackle Simao as the home team threatened to catch the Blues on the break.

On 16 minutes, Essien, who had only just played the pass of the game so far, was booked for a crude body check on Reyes.

Four minutes later it was Reyes, having raised himself from the turf, who nearly made an impact by curling a shot from far out on the right that needed Cech to be at his best to finger-tip wide.

The home side were showing a punch and a competitive edge across the pitch not seen in many games this season. It was pleasing their fans in the three-quarters full stadium.

It was briefly becoming the Reyes show. On 26 minutes the Spaniard was booked when he showed little regard for ex-team mate Ashley Cole, catching him with an over-the-ball foul that earned a yellow card.

Chelsea had been quiet for while but turned up the volume when Malouda and Joe Cole worked a chance for Ashley Cole to cross and Kalou glanced a header just wide. Hands on head, he knew that was the closest his team had yet come.

Ashley Cole's' robustness on his return was being tested to the full. Now midfielder Paulo Assuncao was booked for a foul on our left-back.

On 40 minutes Cole was defending well, chasing and then slide-tackling the ball out of play, but as he did, he appeared to strain or twist something. He continued, although with a slight hobble - but it was a concern.

Before the interval, Lampard smashed a shot from just outside the area not too far wide.

The second-half started with Chelsea on the front foot, Drogba forcing keeper Sergio Asenjo to push an angled free-kick onto his post. That was the best contribution in a so-far subdued Drogba performance.

Eight minutes after the restart Flores decided to introduce another star striker to the mix, Aguero a straight swap for the ineffectual Sinama Pongolle.

Aguero's first involvement was to take a pass and dart into the Chelsea area where he was hustled off the ball by Alex. The home contingent appealed for a penalty but the Dutch ref disagreed.

Ballack was a straight swap for Essien in the holding role as Ancelotto made his first switch in two games on 59 minutes. Cech then had to charge out and punch away an Atlético free-kick and then drop to stop another from Reyes down by his post.

He was helpless on 66 minutes when the first goal was slammed in by Aguero. It all started with a dangerous cross swung over from the left which Terry, imperious through out, did well to head clear. In was with misfortune that it fell temptingly for Aguero, it was with class that the Argentine volleyed it into the net.

The home team had just survived a corner when Ancelotti made a double sub, Deco for Joe Cole and Anelka for Kalou.

Chelsea had a chance to equalise before the break. When the keeper pushed out a Drogba cross on 75 minutes, it fell to Deco but where Aguero had found the target in similar circumstances, Deco shot wide.

The goal came on 81 minutes and at last Drogba was given the service he was craving. The Atlético defence switched off to allow Malouda and Lampard to combine on the left and when Malouda's ball came over, the Chelsea number 11 headed in from five yards out.

Terry was a late booking but not as late as Drogba and Aguero's second goals. The Chelsea striker's came on 86 minutes when he was sent away by a long pass that once again caught Atlético napping.

Tricking his way past the defence, his initial shot was saved but when it came back his way, Drogba drilled it into the empty net.

That, we all thought was that, and many home fans left. But then a free-kick was awarded their way, centrally placed, Aguero expertly curled in his second with Cech grabbing at air.

In the blistering conclusion Drogba had a free-kick of Chelsea's charged down and Deco shot over.

APOEL's defeat at home to Porto was enough to put us once again into the knockout round.

Chelsea(4-3-2-1): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Lampard, Essien (Ballack 59), Malouda; Kalou (Anelka 69), J Cole (Deco 69), Drogba.
Scorer Drogba 81, 86.
Booked Essien 16, Terry 86.

Atlético Madrid (4-4-2): Sergio Asenjo; Perea, Pablo Ibanez, Juanito, Antonio Lopez (c); Reyes (Maxi Rodriguez 71), Paulo Assuncao, Cleber Santana, Simao (Jurado 83); Forlan, Sinama Pongolle (Aguero 53).
Scorer Aguero 66, 90+1.
Booked Reyes 26, Assuncao 33.

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