Cambiasso gives Inter Milan edge over Chelsea after first leg

Esteban Cambiasso scored the winner as Inter Milan edged out Chelsea 2-1 in an enthralling Champions League quarter- final, first-leg tie at the San Siro, dpa reported.

The home side took the lead after just three minutes through Diego Milito but Salomon Kalou equalized for Chelsea only for Argentina midfielder Cambiasso to slot in the winner with a sweetly-struck left-foot shot.

Chelsea enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the match and will be satisfied with their away goal.

"I think on the balance of play, with possession and shots on target, we were the stronger team but Inter are a good team, we knew how they would play," Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard said.

"But we got an away goal. We have to be positive about that. If we can take the chances in London then we will have a good chance. I think 2-1 is a pretty even result. Obviously we have to beat them at home. They'll come confident but hopefully we can do it."

The match was billed as a clash between Inter manager Jose Mourinho and his former side, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, and Mourinho's side struck early with a well-worked goal.

A nice dummy by Wesley Sneijder saw the ball run for Molito and he was too good for John Terry, slipping the ball past Petr Cech into the bottom corner.

Chelsea responded well but were found lacking in the final third too often and could have been 2-0 down before half-time when Sneijder squared for Samuel Eto'o but the Cameroon striker missed his kick six metres out and Chelsea cleared to safety.

The Italian side constantly looked dangerous on the break but Chelsea were hugely aggrieved not to have a penalty right on half- time when Walter Samuel appeared to bring down Kalou, only for the referee to wave away the claims.

Chelsea began the second half with a clear purpose and within five minutes of the restart they were level. Branislav Ivanovic broke down the right and after cutting inside, he found Kalou who fired into the corner, though Julio Cesar perhaps should have done better in the Inter goal.

But the English side were level for only five minutes as Inter restored their lead. Sneijder's cross from the left was headed straight up into the air by Ricardo Carvalho only to fall to Cambiasso who saw his first shot blocked but then gave Cech no chance with the second strike.

Just three minutes later, Chelsea suffered a potentially damaging blow when Cech went down with a knee injury and had to be taken off, replaced by Hilario.

Lampard had a chance to equalize but he slipped on impact and shot tamely at Julio Cesar as Inter held on for a win going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge in three weeks' time.