Frank Lampard today hailed Didier Drogba as world class after he fired Chelsea to victory over Juventus at Stamford Bridge, writes James Olley.

The Ivory Coast international marked a timely return to form with a clinical first-half finish to give the Blues a 1-0 lead to take the Stadio Delle Alpi in two weeks.

Drogba struggled with injury and a loss of form under previous boss Luiz Felipe Scolari but appears to have been revitalised by the arrival of Guus Hiddink.

The 30-year-old has now scored 25 goals in 50 Champions League games and Lampard said: "This is the premier competition in the world and to score goals in it is not easy. Didier's proved over the last few seasons in particular that he is one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best, and he scores regularly.

"You can't expect him to be on form all the time but when he is on form, he's the full package. He showed that with his goal and his strength in general.”

Drogba admitted he is still short of match fitness after sustaining knee, hip and thigh injuries in this campaign, saying: “You could see that in the second half it was a bit difficult. I need to work and the best way for me to work is on the pitch. I'll do everything on the pitch to get fit.

“It's a good feeling to score. Not a big relief, because there's the second leg to come. If we win, I'll be more than happy.”