Many happy returns: John Terry enjoyed his birthday at
Funky Buddha in London
John Terry had two reasons to celebrate as he hit
the town on Tuesday night - Chelsea's progress to the Champions
League knockout stages and his own 31st birthday.
England's captain skippered the Blues to an
impressive 3-0 home win over Valencia at Stamford Bridge and then
headed to many a footballer's favourite nightspot, Funky Buddha, to
party.
Terry turned 31 as the clock struck midnight on
Wednesday and invited several of his Chelsea team-mates along for
some fun.
Ashley Cole and Juan Mata were in attendance as well
as other familiar faces from the game, including West Ham strikers
Carlton Cole and John Carew.
Stoke City were well represented, with Peter Crouch,
Ricardo Fuller and Jermaine Pennant all joining Terry in London's
West End.
One man who would understandably be keen to
celebrate was not there, however. Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas
was nowhere to be seen, despite having appeared to save his job
with consecutive 3-0 wins over Newcastle on Saturday and Valencia
on Tuesday.
Villas-Boas's men were in danger of an early exit
from Europe's premier competition - the one prize truly craved by
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - but won through thanks to two
goals from the inspired Didier Drogba and one from midfielder
Ramires.
But the Portuguese was probably too busy already
planning for Chelsea's next Barclays Premier League game to join
the revellers. Quite right too - the Blues host table-toppers
Manchester City next Monday night.
And a win then would really be worth
celebrating.
What's the Mata? Chelsea ace Juan looks glum (left),
unlike John Carew (right)
Stoke connection: Peter Crouch (left) and Ricardo
Fuller (right) had some fun
Showing off: Jermaine Pennant with Carlton Cole (left)
and swaggering (right)