Heroics from man in the mask

There is more to the mask than meets the eye and last night this leader of men threw himself in where it hurts most. It was not a great look, but needs must.

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Soldiering on: Terry is his usual combative self as he repels Valencia

Patch him up and put him on the pitch: Terry the warrior. Terry the titan. Terry the captain.

Don't let them see it hurts, not even when David Villa gives you an early dig in the face. Dust yourself down and do your duty. Soldier on and be the last man standing.

It will be agony today, that is for sure. The effects of the pain-killing injection on his broken toe will wear off first and then the reminders of his clash with Clint Dempsey will kick in.

If Terry had been playing in the Seventies, the name of the Fulham striker would have made its way into a little black book.

Now it is a mental note and Dempsey can wait for the return fixture — because Terry will be playing in it — on New Year's Day. Happy New Year, Clint.

Last night, Terry was concentrating on the feared forward line of Fernando Morientes and Villa. He had no chance of getting across to prevent Villa putting Valencia into an early lead.

The Spaniards put bodies in the box, but Chelsea had someone who put their body on the line.