Sport 14-08-2003 Dangerous Duff Takes Chelsea To Brink Of Qualification who: Chelsea what: Beat MSK Zilina 0-2 in first leg of Champions` League third qualifying round where: Slovakia when: Last night snippet: "Chelsea`s Roman Empire is on course to conquer Europe after last night’s stroll in Slovakia," says The Sun after the London club beat MSK Zilina 0-2 in Slovakia last night in the first leg of their Champions` League third qualifying round. And reporter Charlie Wyett says that billionaire owner will soon be seeing a £15million return on his £75million investment "just for reaching the group stage". "There were competitive debuts for five players including three in midfield, although [Claudio] Ranieri resisted the temptation to start with Joe Cole," says The Independent. And he opted Mikael Forssell and Eidur Gudjohnsen up front sending "a clear message to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink that his west London days are numbered". But the plaudits mostly go to record signing Damien Duff, who was described by Ranieri as "very dangerous". Duff was "lively down the left, not least when he set up Gudjohnsen`s goal [just before half time]," writes The Guardian`s Jon Brodkin, who says the £17million striker was "always willing to take people on". Henry Winter in The Telegraph says he was "terrific, tormenting his marker, Martin Konecny, with twisting runs and sudden changes of pace and direction". And in The Times, Matt Dickinson says Duff "combined flair with precise delivery" and "showed that he will be a good investment". [... more]

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