Chelsea and Zenit St. Petersburg played out a mad game in one of the Champions League’s earlier kick offs this evening.
The game started perfectly for the London visitors but the night ended disastrously as they lost out to Juventus in the battle for top spot in Group H. Juventus defeated Malmo FF 1-0 which leapfrogged them above Chelsea.
Chelsea and Zenit kicked off in the Gazprom Arena at 17:45, and it took less than 90 seconds for the away side to take the lead.
Timo Werner, his name now synonymous with poor finishing, touched the ball in to an open goal from a corner, a chance even he couldn’t squander.
A dream start for Chelsea as Timo Werner gives them the lead after 90 seconds 🔵😍
A win tonight would see them top Group H 📊 pic.twitter.com/t38KSG4P0X— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) December 8, 2021
While Zenit were already eliminated from the group, they did not sit back and roll over for a Chelsea onslaught. In fact they managed to carve open Chelsea with considerable ease, beginning with Claudinho’s equaliser after 38 minutes.
The entire Chelsea defence went to sleep allowing the Brazilian striker to waltz into the box unmarked and tuck away an easy header from a Douglas Santos cross.
Claudinho takes advantage of some poor Chelsea marking to bring Zenit level 🇷🇺🔙
As things stand, Juventus will top the group 👀 pic.twitter.com/IgPQ62h38L— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) December 8, 2021
The next goal was even more straight forward when Sardar Azmoun was put clear through on goal after an easy through ball from Malcom. Azmoun tidily rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga and slotted home.
Things go from bad to worse for Chelsea 📉
Zenit have turned this game around in a matter of minutes 😬 pic.twitter.com/qPE8ARJ8JM— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) December 8, 2021
It was looking bleak for Chelsea, who were desperate to put themselves out harm’s way by topping the group and avoiding the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the next round.
Romelu Lukaku then chose the perfect opportunity to end his 10 game goal drought after he tapped in following some deft interplay between Ross Barkley and Werner.
Romelu Lukaku ends his run of 🔟 games without a goal to bring Chelsea level 🔵
They now have 25 minutes to find a goal to take them back to the top of Group H 🤞 pic.twitter.com/vIMy0jNapQ— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) December 8, 2021
Chelsea began to gather momentum, and in the 85th minute, Timo Werner took one step towards ridding himself of his unwanted reputation as he tucked away a fine finish to send Chelsea back to the top of Group H.
The goal that takes Chelsea 🔝 of Group H
Werner may have won it with just five minutes left! 🔵#UCL pic.twitter.com/TSzKazZdit— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) December 8, 2021
Chelsea looked like they had scraped over the line before disaster struck in the fourth minute of added time. Zenit once again would just not roll over, and Magomed Ozdoev made it 3-3.
Ozdoev at the death! ⏱
This late Zenit equaliser means Chelsea will finish 2nd in Group H! #UCL pic.twitter.com/xKrEsTEmjv— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) December 8, 2021
It was a fine finish and a goal worthy of the drama that the match had provided. Ozdoev used perfect technique to send the ball into the top corner on the half volley, and leave Chelsea with an anxious wait to see who they will play in the round of 16.
Finishing second leaves them in a perilous position with the chance of drawing Ajax, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or one of Lille/Wolfsburg/RB Salzburg.
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