Chelsea resilient when they take lead, says Rijkaard

LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) Chelsea deserved their Champions League win but Barcelona believed they could have come away with something after a good first-half performance, the holders' coach Frank Rijkaard said.

''We had a great first half and if you look at it I thought we would achieve more than we came away with,'' Rijkaard said after Barcelona went down 1-0 in the Group A match at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

''I'm a bit disappointed,'' the Dutchman told the post-match news conference after striker Didier Drogba's goal right after halftime gave Chelsea the three points.

Rijkaard said Chelsea are now firm favourites in the group after notching up a maximum nine points at the halfway stage of qualifying. Barcelona, who host Chelsea at the Nou Camp in their next game on October 31, have four points.

''Chelsea did deserve to win and looking at the standings Chelsea are now the favourites (in the group).

''But we're not concerned about who comes first and who second, just about qualifying,'' he said.

Rijkaard said he thought Chelsea were a better side last season when Barcelona overcame Jose Mourinho's side at the first knockout stage.

''During last year, Chelsea created more (play) and more problems and were faster,'' he said.

''Today it was a tight, close game but Drogba changed that and you have to take risks in a situation like that,'' he said of the changes he made to his defence after the goal, bringing on an extra midfielder and leaving a three-man defence.

''We had to look for a way to get back into the game. We didn't succeed because they made a great goal and then were organised in defence and dangerous on the counter-attack.

''Chelsea are a great side that become more difficult when they get ahead in the game,'' he added.

''Now we just have to get on with our work and get ready for the next game. I'm confident we can go out and get the results we need.'' Reuters DH DB0953