Chelsea went into the Europa League final with Benfica in 2013 looking to end a season that involved manager sackings and Champions League failure on a high.
The Blues began the campaign as the European champions but a poor performance in the group stages not only resulted in them being demoted to the Europa League, but also saw manager Roberto Di Matteo, who had revitalised the club after the disappointing reign of Andre Villas-Boas, controversially replaced by Rafael Benitez.
The former Liverpool boss was never accepted by the Stamford Bridge faithful, but he did deliver Champions League qualification and he had the opportunity to end his short tenure in positive style by lifting Europe's secondary prize.
Chelsea were missing both John Terry and Eden Hazard through injury, but Benitez was able to call upon Fernando Torres, who had netted eight times throughout Chelsea's marathon European campaign, in attack.
Benfica began the showdown in Portugal on the front foot, with striker Oscar Cardozo heading a decent opportunity over the crossbar after just two minutes on the clock, before the Paraguayan saw another chance blocked by a determined Chelsea defence.
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Chelsea were struggling to find any fluency in their play, and on numerous occasions, they were one touch away from falling behind, with Rodrigo guilty of squandering a glorious chance in the six-yard box after slipping twice when it appeared he was ready to slide the ball past Petr Cech.
The Blues were indebted to a couple of last-ditch interventions by Branislav Ivanovic, while up the other end, their efforts on goal were restricted to two shots from distance from Oscar and Frank Lampard.
Like at the start of the first half, Benfica were fast out of the traps after the break with Cardozo spearheading the Portuguese side's attacks to great effect, but the 29-year-old was denied an opening goal when his header was ruled out for offside.
Benfica continued to pressurise Chelsea's defence, but they were made to pay just before the hour mark when Chelsea edged ahead with a goal out of nothing. A Cech throw was flicked on by Juan Mata and into the path of Torres, who showed superb strength to hold off Luisao before advancing past goalkeeper Artur and rolling the ball into the net.
In the immediate aftermath of the goal, Benfica were on the rack for the first time in the match, and more direct play from Torres won a free kick in dangerous territory, but after Mata wasted that opening, Benfica progressed up the other end to earn a chance to make an instant reply.
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After good link-up play between Lima and Cardozo, Cesar Azpilicueta handled the ball in the penalty area, and Cardozo made no mistake from the spot by drilling the ball past Cech to level the match.
As the match approached a conclusion and extra time became an increasing possibility, both teams attacked in search of a winner, with Cech keeping out a Cardozo half-volley before Lampard rattled the woodwork with a thunderous 30-yard strike.
However, as the game entered added-on time, Chelsea won a corner and after Mata's floated delivery found Ivanovic at the back post, the Serbian directed the ball on goal to see it find the top corner of Artur's net.
The goal resulted in wild celebrations from the Chelsea camp, but seconds before the full-time whistle, Gary Cahill was forced to make a stunning block from Cardozo to ensure that the Blues won their second European trophy in the space of 12 months.
After the glory of Lisbon and ensuring that Chelsea began the following year among Europe's elite, Benitez departed West London to be replaced by Jose Mourinho, who was returning to the English outfit for a second spell in charge.
Darren Plant
