Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a surprise win over Barcelona as they moved towards the Champions League final.

Drogba struck the only goal of the night in first-half stoppage time as Roberto di Matteo's men shut out the defending champions at Stamford Bridge.

The Catalans dominated possession throughout but could not find a way past Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.

Alexis Sanchez lobbed against the bar in the first half before substitute Pedro curled a low shot against the post in stoppage time.

Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas also had a shot cleared off the line by Ashley Cole as Pep Guardiola's side controlled possession in trademark fashion.

But, with the mercurial Lionel Messi kept quiet by a disciplined home defence, the visitors could not make the breakthrough to leave Chelsea with a slim lead ahead of next week's second leg at the Nou Camp.

Drogba was preferred to Fernando Torres in attack and - as he had in the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham at the weekend - vindicated the decision with the match-winning moment.

The Ivorian had spent most of the first period on the floor nursing numerous injuries but was on his feet to drive in the 45th-minute strike.

Messi gave the ball away in the centre circle and Frank Lampard switched play with a fine pass to release Ramires down the left.

Ramires was then able to pick out Drogba lurking at the back post and the striker hit his left-footed shot under Victor Valdes and into the net.

Barca captain Carles Puyol almost rescued an equaliser in the final minutes but Cech brilliantly clawed out his close-range header, before Pedro curled a shot against the post in stoppage time.