English clubs have notoriously found it difficult to collect positive results within the intense atmosphere of a Turkish football ground.
For years Galatasaray had been the team that most wanted to avoid in European competition, but from the late 1990s onwards, Istanbul-based Fenerbahce had emerged as a force on the Champions League scene.
That was who Chelsea were paired with in the quarter-finals of the tournament, with the first leg being played at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium six years ago today.
Some had predicted that it would be a tough clash for the West Londoners, but from the way that they started the tie, it was clear that they were determined to gain control early on.
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With just 12 minutes on the clock the visitors broke the deadlock when a neat passing move involving Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole freed Florent Malouda down the left flank. The Frenchman in turn attempted to pick out Didier Drogba with a low cross, but before the ball reached the Ivorian, it was turned into the home team's net by Fenerbahce midfielder Deivid.
The goal put Chelsea in the ascendancy and they went close to doubling their advantage before the break through Michael Essien, who saw his powerful strike cannon to safety off the crossbar.
While the Blues had dominated large parts of the first half, the introduction of Fenerbahce's London-born Turkish international Colin Kazim-Richards in the 54th minute coincided with the hosts gaining a foothold on proceedings.
The former Bury and Sheffield United attacker took just 10 minutes to have a telling impact as his pace took him beyond the Chelsea defence to reach Marco Aurelio's lofted pass. Then, with Carlo Cudicini committed, he showed good composure to curl the ball into the net from 12 yards out.
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That awoke the home support from their slumber and their team had them in raptures 11 minutes from time as Deivid made amends for his earlier error. The Brazilian was afforded too much time 30 yards from goal and having weighed up his options, the frontman powered a rising effort into the top corner of Cudicini's goal.
Speaking after the final whistle, defeated Chelsea boss Avram Grant said: "I feel good. If we play like we did in most of the game, then we can win. Normally it is a good result to lose 2-1 away but because we played the better football we are disappointed. We wanted to have the second leg at home - now we need to use it.
"From the point of view of the football we played, it was good but football is about the result. Now we are going home 2-1 down but are still optimistic."
FENERBAHCE: Demirel; Turaci, Lugano, Edu Dracena, Wederson; Maldonado, Aurelio, Boral (Kazim-Richards), Deivid; Alex, Kezman (Senturk)
CHELSEA: Cudicini; Essien, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Makelele; J Cole (Anelka), Ballack, Lampard (Mikel), Malouda; Drogba
Liam Apicella
