CHELSEA were held by Krasnodar as Frank Lampard’s men secured top-spot in Group E.
- Final score: Chelsea 1-1 Krasnodar
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THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT
Chelsea coasted their way through the group stages, and they won’t be joined by rivals Man United who were defeated 3-2 by RB Leipzig.
Plenty of Champions League action to come and we’ll be covering the biggest games tomorrow.
Real & Atletico Madrid could all be knocked out tomorrow. Crazy right?
A draw or defeat would see Real drop down to the Europa League…… it could be looking stacked this year.
And a loss for Atletico would also see them not qualify for the round of 16.
Goodnight!
BLUE FUNDAY
CHELSEA fans: do not adjust your TV sets.
Despite recent events, this really is the same team you have been watching steadily demolish the opposition on the box lately at an empty Stamford Bridge.
READ MORE: CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR MATCH REPORT
SUBS
N’Golo Kante for Kovacic (74 mins) – 7
Provided real direct energy and drive alongside Werner and deserved more for his efforts.
Timo Werner for Havertz (74 mins) – 7
Instant impact driving forward with the ball creating chances that should have been finished by his team mates.
Olivier Giroud for Anjorin (80 mins) -N/A
ATTACKERS
Faustino Anjorin – 8
Some really nice touches and passes from him, especially a couple of beautiful backheels proving the confidence he has. It was a great outing for him on his first senior start and he looked a constant threat on the ball.
Tammy Abraham – 5
Had a chance to score in the first half that he should have done better with, but he did very well to win the penalty. But he was pretty disappointing on the night missing a few chances and not being strong enough in the air.
Kai Havertz – 8
Havertz looked like he was enjoying himself out there in the first half with some beautiful little touches and looked to create a lot from wide. He dropped off a bit in the second half and looked rather tired and was taken off just after 70 minutes.
MIDIFELD BATTLE
Jorginho – 5
As always, very good on the ball but doesn’t bring the same defensive stability as N’Golo Kante does. He gave away a few tired passes and was wasteful on some attacks.
Billy Gilmour – 8
Slotted comfortably straight back into the Chelsea starting eleven and picked up where he left off, absolutely superb. He was full of energy and his work on the ball was always progressive.
Mateo Kovacic – 7
Lack of intensity to get back and help Azpilicueta out on Krasnodar’s first half goal, and he was also rather poor in front of goal, but he linked up well with Kai Havertz on a number of occasions and was a driving force behind many Chelsea attacks/pockets of good play.
FLYING KAI
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Largely untested really and might have got closer to Krasnodar’s first half goal. Made a comfortable save in the second half and largely came through unscathed.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Sluggish on a few occasions and sometimes wasteful in attack, but he put in a few decent tackles and blocks at the back when Chelsea were under pressure.
Emerson Palmieri – 5
He was caught out at the back with lack of concentration on occasions, and he was very wasteful going forward. Did nothing to push Ben Chilwell for his starting place.
Antonio Rudiger – 7
Pretty solid performance from him at the heart of the Chelsea defence. He was good in the air and calm on the ball.
Andreas Christensen – 7
Decent showing from Christensen who was even putting himself about in the air. He didn’t come under too much pressure from the visitors but he did a good job at the back.
TOP SPOT
Group E is finalised, Chelsea finish top with Sevilla in second.
Krasnodar finish third and drop down to the Europa League, and Rennes finish rock bottom in their Champions League debut season.
SPOT-KICKS
Chelsea have won 10 penalties in all competitions this season, more than any other Pl side, scoring 8 of them (level with Leicester).
SHIPPING GOALS
7 goals conceded by Kepa in 4 apps this season, as many as Mendy and Caballero shipped combined in 15 this season for Chelsea.
FULL-TIME STATS
Chelsea managed to hold onto the majority of possession in the second half (64.2 per cent), but they didn’t manage to find a winner.
The ball was mainly contesting in the middle of the park, both midfields worked hard to break up play and try and feed their attackers.
FT: CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
Neither side managed to add to the two first half goals, it was a second half stalemate!
The draw fully confirms Chelsea finishing top of their group, and the point confirms Krasnodar will finish third meaning they drop to the Europa League.
PEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES FOR FULL-TIME!
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
90+3. CHANCE!
Azpilicueta whips in a cross from a deep position, Giroud rises highest and his header flashes wide of the near post!
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
90+1. Abraham contests the ball on the edge of the Krasnodar penalty area, he wins the ball fairly but the referee thinks otherwise.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
90. Four additional minutes to be played at the end of the second half.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
89. Another change for Krasnodar, Berg makes way for Markov.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
87. Giroud and Vilhena contest the 50-50 ball and the referee has given a free-kick in Chelsea’s favour.
Strange call, it looked shoulder to shoulder.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
86. Krasnodar are sitting back at the moment looking to see the game out and pick up a valuable point.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
84. Werner plays the ball into Kante who plays a first time pass looking to pick out Abraham who made a run in behind the Krasnodar backline, but the pass is intercepted.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
83. Werner picks up the ball in a deep position and plays the pass into the feet of Abraham who has his back to goal.
The No9 loses his balance and Krasnodar manage to stab the ball away.
Not long left in the game, all it’ll take is one moment of magic from either side. It’s there for the taking.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
81. Krasnodar have managed to peg some possession back in the second half, they’ve seen 41 per cent of the ball.
It’s still level and the game is there for the taking.
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
79. Both sides make some changes.
Cabella, Wamberto, Olsson and Kaio make way for Sorokin, Chernov, Kambolov and Suleymanov.
For Chelsea, Anjorin’s debut comes to an end, he’s replaced by Giroud who is welcomed onto the pitch with a rapturous applause.
MIDFIELD MAESTRO
Kovacic has bossed the game in the midfield tonight, he’s been pivotal breaking up play and getting Chelsea going up the other end of the pitch.
Kovacic has been one of Chelsea’s best players tonightCredit: Getty Images
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
76. JUST WIDE!
Kovacic turns and plays a clever pass into Werner who was left unmarked.
Turbo Timo drives towards the penalty area and beats two Krasnodar defenders, he takes it slightly wide and slices a shot JUST wide of the far post!
CHELSEA 1-1 KRASNODAR
75. Anjorin turns and plays the ball into Kante 35 yards from goal, the Frenchman takes the ball wide looking to find an opening.
He eventually finds a gap and floats a ball into the path of Abraham but the offside flag is up.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
