<DIV id=container><DIV id=borderShadow><DIV id=topShadow><DIV id=mainContent><DIV class=imgNewsTop><DIV id=container><DIV id=borderShadow><DIV id=topShadow><DIV id=mainContent><DIV class=imgNewsTop><SPAN class=imgCaption>Didier Drogba scored a hat-trick against Levski in Sofia (©Getty Images)</SPAN></DIV><DIV class=imgNewsTop><SPAN class=imgCaption></SPAN></DIV><DIV class=imgNewsTop><SPAN class=imgCaption></SPAN><SPAN class=newsDate>Thursday, 28 September 2006</SPAN> </DIV><P class=newsAuthorLocation><SPAN>by Stoyan Georgiev</SPAN>from Sofia<P class=newsActions>Chelsea FC striker Didier Drogba was practically nonchalant as he reflected on his match-winning hat-trick in the 3-1 victory at PFC Levski Sofia last night, leaving team-mate Frank Lampard to sing his praises after the final whistle.<P class=newsActions>Cool response
The Ivory Coast international scored in the 39th, 52nd and 68th minutes at the Vassil Levski National Stadium to give the London side their second Group A win in succession, but his first Chelsea treble hardly seemed a big deal to Drogba. "This is not the first hat-trick of my career as I scored one for [Olympique de] Marseille," he told uefa.com. "Obviously, it is nice to score three goals, especially in an away game, but the most important thing is the win and not who scored the goals."<P class=newsActions>Important strike
Chelsea had made a nervous start against a determined-looking Levski, but Drogba's first of the night helped to settle José Mourinho's men, as Drogba admitted. "We had a tough start, but gradually we began to control the game and we missed some good chances," he said. "Then the goal calmed us down and we played better."<P class=newsActions>'A perfect mixture'
Unsurprisingly, Drogba was named man of the match by uefa.com users, and Lampard was quick to lead the tributes to the forward. "His three goals are a perfect mixture of his qualities," said the England midfielder. "His first was a poacher's goal and he showed his instinct in the penalty area. His second came after a nice build-up and great ball control. His third goal was the lucky one." <P class=newsActions>Underappreciated talent
Andriy Shevchenko's summer arrival at Stamford Bridge may have stolen some of the limelight from Drogba, but Lampard was delighted to see the 28-year-old remind the world of his talents. "Drogba is a great player and everyone knows that," he said. "He has great control, he holds up the play and opens spaces. He is powerful and is scoring goals. He is quick and confident at the moment. He has his own style and is what he is and I cannot compare him with anyone else."<P class=newsActions>©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved. </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
The Ivory Coast international scored in the 39th, 52nd and 68th minutes at the Vassil Levski National Stadium to give the London side their second Group A win in succession, but his first Chelsea treble hardly seemed a big deal to Drogba. "This is not the first hat-trick of my career as I scored one for [Olympique de] Marseille," he told uefa.com. "Obviously, it is nice to score three goals, especially in an away game, but the most important thing is the win and not who scored the goals."<P class=newsActions>Important strike
Chelsea had made a nervous start against a determined-looking Levski, but Drogba's first of the night helped to settle José Mourinho's men, as Drogba admitted. "We had a tough start, but gradually we began to control the game and we missed some good chances," he said. "Then the goal calmed us down and we played better."<P class=newsActions>'A perfect mixture'
Unsurprisingly, Drogba was named man of the match by uefa.com users, and Lampard was quick to lead the tributes to the forward. "His three goals are a perfect mixture of his qualities," said the England midfielder. "His first was a poacher's goal and he showed his instinct in the penalty area. His second came after a nice build-up and great ball control. His third goal was the lucky one." <P class=newsActions>Underappreciated talent
Andriy Shevchenko's summer arrival at Stamford Bridge may have stolen some of the limelight from Drogba, but Lampard was delighted to see the 28-year-old remind the world of his talents. "Drogba is a great player and everyone knows that," he said. "He has great control, he holds up the play and opens spaces. He is powerful and is scoring goals. He is quick and confident at the moment. He has his own style and is what he is and I cannot compare him with anyone else."<P class=newsActions>©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved. </DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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