Written off for their sputtering in front of goal, injuries to key players and turbulence behind the scene, the Blues were primed for a hiding at the Mestalla.

But the exact opposite happened.

Avram Grant's under-fire men dug deep into their reserves and gave one of their best performances in Europe, coming back from a goal down to scale to the top of Group B.

Leading the way was John Terry, who epitomised all that is noble and lion-hearted about the English game.

Just three days before this fixture, the captain had undergone surgery to repair a fractured right cheekbone, no thanks to the flailing arm of Fulham's Clint Dempsey.

Terry was told to rest. Instead, the centre-back defied medical orders and took to the pitch.

In doing so, he enhanced his reputation as 'Captain Courageous', showing great powers of recovery to rescue a desperate situation.

True, he should have reacted faster to David Villa's ninth-minute opener when the Spanish forward latched onto a ricochet off Michael Essien to slot home.

It was, potentially, a mortal blow to the Blues, who were in dire need of leadership.

No fear. As expected, Terry rose to the occasion despite needing a protective mask to cover his broken cheek.

He rallied the troops, made vital clearances and flung himself in the way of danger with utter disregard for his own safety.

Even when Valencia tried to pummel him into submission by introducing the 2.02-metre striker Nikola Zigic, the hard-boiled defender soaked up all the physical abuse the giant Serb dished out.

Even if he was still short of full fitness and sharpness, his valour and defiance was a rallying point.

Ricardo Carvalho, who had just recovered from a thigh injury, refused to flinch in the 83rd minute when a clash of heads during a corner kick left him with a huge lump on his head.

Didier Drogba spent large chunks of the game clutching his hamstring. Yet, he mustered the strength to power past Raul Albiol and score the 71st-minute winner after Joe Cole had equalised in the 21st minute.

The goals aside, Chelsea owe a debt of gratitude to Terry, the ultimate professional.

Cast aside the rumours of his part in Jose Mourinho's departure and Chelsea have a gem whose attitude on the pitch cannot be faulted.

In February, Terry's ankle ligaments were ruptured in a Champions League tie against Porto.

Four days later, he discarded the crutches to play against Arsenal in the Carling Cup final, where he was knocked stone cold by a kick to the head from Abou Diaby.

Incredibly, the England skipper not only regained consciousness, but also returned straight to Cardiff to join in the victory celebrations.

And, since the start of the season, he has been taking painkilling injections for a broken little toe.

No wonder a gushing Grant gushed told the BBC: 'John's very special. You can't have a better example than him.'

As Valencia retreat to ponder over their defeat, they will no doubt point to the indestructible Terry as the key to Chelsea's win.

When the two sides meet again on Dec 11, maybe the Spanish side might want to invest in some silver bullets.

meng@sph.com.sg