Chelsea qualified for the next phase of the UEFA Champions League despite going down to Per Mertesacker's first-half goal against Werder Bremen.

Mertesacker rose unmarked to head home a corner from Torsten Frings to hand Chelsea their first defeat in the competition this season.

Chelsea had plenty of chances to earn the point they needed to win the group, however Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese denied both Michael Ballack and substitute Andriy Shevchenko with fine saves.