A 90th-minute strike from Michael Essien helped Chelsea FC come from behind to win 2-1 at Valencia CF and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the third time in four seasons.

Following last week's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, the English side had looked to be on their way out of the competition when Fernando Morientes put Valencia in front in the 32nd minute.

However, Andriy Shevchenko levelled from close range seven minutes after the break, and Chelsea were rewarded for their tireless second-half endeavour in the final seconds as Essien – who will miss the first leg of the semi-final through suspension – beat Santiago Cañizares with an angled low shot to set up a meeting with PSV Eindhoven or Liverpool FC.

Chelsea's lack of width was immediately addressed with Mourinho switching to 4-3-3 by moving Essien to right-back and introducing Joe Cole.

The impact was instant. Cole and Didier Drogba linked perfectly and Chelsea played much further forward.

Seven minutes after half-time Drogba met Essien's cross and, although Luis Miguel and Roberto Ayala crowded out the striker, the ball fell for Shevchenko to stab past Cañizares from close range.

Despite Chelsea now being noticeably on top, Valencia substitute Miguel Ángel Angulo might have won it with a powerful left-foot drive.

Then Cañizares, who had acrobatically kept out Drogba's header shortly before the break, produced another wonderful diving stop from Ballack's late header as a thrilling match appeared destined for extra time.

However, the Valencia custodian was powerless to prevent Essien's thunderous strike that gave Chelsea the lead for the first time in the tie with seconds remaining, making the visitors the first English side to win at Mestalla and taking them into the final four.

Credit: UEFA