Chelsea's Didier Drogba (R) scores against Valencia during their Champions League Group E soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London, Dec 6, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

* Chelsea through as group winners

LONDON - Two goals from Didier Drogba steered Chelsea to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Valencia and top spot in Group E at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as they moved into the Champions League knockout phase for the ninth consecutive season.

An inspired performance by Drogba and a goal from midfielder Ramires gave the Londoners the points they needed to advance and allowed coach Andre Villas-Boas the opportunity to hit back at the critics who suggested his position could be in jeopardy if Chelsea had been eliminated.

Defeat or a score draw would have consigned Chelsea to third place below Valencia but already-qualified Bayer Leverkusen's 1-1 draw away to Racing Genk meant they finished top with 11 points ahead of Leverkusen (10), Valencia (8) and Genk (3).

"It has been over the top," Villas-Boas, whose side have fallen outside the top four in the Premier League and who face leaders Manchester City next week, told reporters of the recent scrutiny of his side's dip in form.

"It is unfortunate for you guys (the media) because you have to report on a brilliant win for Chelsea.

"There is only one team in the country at the moment and that is Manchester City. I hope they qualify for the Champions League knockout stage but the attitude to them is if they qualify they qualify, if they don't they don't - we don't get that margin.

"This is a continuous persecution, it is aggression towards one club."

Chelsea's Didier Drogba celebrates after scoring his second goal against Valencia during their Champions League Group E soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London, Dec 6, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Chelsea were on their way once Drogba, who could well be in his final season at Stamford Bridge, fired his side ahead after three minutes and although Valencia occasionally threatened, Chelsea never remotely lost control.

In between scoring the first and third goals, Drogba made one for Ramires after 22 minutes which more or less settled the match and eased the nerves of all concerned with Chelsea who were facing elimination from the competition before Christmas after dropping points in their last two away matches.

"It helped that we scored so early in the game, it gave us a boost of confidence," Villas-Boas said.

"To finish top of the group is excellent, no one gave us a chance, but its a test of human character and a great win for the Chelsea players who have got respect we don't normally get and gave everybody a slap in the face."