Drogba is mobbed by his team-mates after his spectacular goal

Chelsea hero Didier Drogba says he has been waiting for Wednesday's match-winning strike against Champions League opponents Barcelona for two years.

The Ivorian striker cracked home a stunning strike to defeat the European champions 1-0 and extend the English side's lead at the top of Group A.

"It was difficult for me to play against Barcelona and not score in four games," Drogba said after the match.

"The first game I was sent off (but) I was happy because my team won (that tie).

"Last year was difficult because I was on the bench and supporting my partners and they were unlucky not to win."

In the previous four meetings between Chelsea and Barcelona over the last two years, Drogba has been sent off, subsequently suspended and then used as a substitute.

He made amends in the 47th minute at Stamford Bridge when he collected the ball on the edge of the box before unleashing a fierce shot on the turn from 20 yards.

"I just do what the team needs me to do, just keep playing well and score more goals," added the Ivory Coast captain.

Catalan-based newspaper Sport lamented the absence of Barcelona's Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o in the Spanish side's first Group A defeat.

"Drogba gave Chelsea what Eto'o gives Barca," the paper said on Wednesday.

"One thing that is clear from the defeat is that we miss Eto'o more than we could have imagined. Not only for his goals but also for his work-rate and commitment."

After Chelsea knocked Barcelona out in the knock-out stages of the 2004/05 competition, the Spaniards gained revenge earlier this year en route to winning the competition.

The two teams meet again at Barca's Nou Camp on Tuesday 31 October.