SM
Newcastle vs. Arsenal: 3 hrs 3 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CL
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 8, 2020 at 8pm UK
Stamford Bridge
K

Chelsea
1 - 1
Krasnodar

Jorginho (28' pen.)
Azpilicueta (82')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Cabella (24')

Jorginho penalty salvages a point for Chelsea against Krasnodar

:Headline: Result: Jorginho penalty salvages a point for Chelsea against Krasnodar: ID:425705: from db_amp
Jorginho converted from the spot after Tammy Abraham drew a foul in the box.

Jorginho’s penalty salvaged second-string Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Krasnodar in Tuesday’s dead rubber Champions League clash.

Remy Cabella put Krasnodar into the lead at Stamford Bridge, in the final Group E clash that could have no effect on pool standings.

Chelsea hit back without delay though, with Jorginho converting from the spot after Tammy Abraham drew a foul in the box.

Italy midfielder Jorginho held his nerve to slot home his first penalty since missing in the 4-0 win in Krasnodar, in a failure that cost him Chelsea’s main spot-kick duties.

Timo Werner had blasted a late penalty in Russia on October 28 to show Jorginho how it is done, before assuming top spot-kick billing for the Blues.

A much-changed Chelsea laboured throughout a low-key contest with Krasnodar this time around though, with Jorginho’s penalty redemption one of few highlights.

Ultimately the Blues will move on undeterred, with immediate Premier League trips to Everton and Wolves holding far greater significance – and a last-16 Champions League tie to look forward in the new year.

Boss Frank Lampard has repeatedly warned his Chelsea squad they cannot “flick the switch” off and on when it comes to delivering top performances.

However extensive the rotation proves across this hectic festive schedule, Lampard has demanded minimum standards from his players.

This was perhaps the first time that his men failed to meet those requirements – but if there were ever any time to fall short, this was it.

Billy Gilmour impressed, typically mixing tidiness with attacking threat from midfield, while 19-year-old full debutant Tino Anjorin showed encouraging progress.

Chelsea started slowly, especially without the ball.

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen appeared sluggish, causing problems for their full-backs when Krasnodar attacked at speed.

Viktor Claesson whipped an effort wide when afforded far too much time and space in the box, which yielded a major reprieve for the hosts and that tentative defence.

The Blues failed to heed the lesson though, and Cabella took full advantage.

The former Newcastle midfielder drilled low into the net from another situation where the home defence stood off and watched.

First Christensen left Cesar Azpilicueta exposed down the flank by sitting too deep and narrow, and then the Denmark defender failed to close down Cabella in the box.

The result was the Krasnodar lead, and one that Chelsea could hardly argue against at that point.

The Blues’ sole saving grace of a lacklustre half proved their immediate riposte, as Abraham won a penalty having been fed in the box by Mateo Kovacic.

Jorginho converted from the spot after Tammy Abraham drew a foul in the box (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)

Jorginho stepped up to the spot with a point to prove, perhaps as much to himself as anyone else.

The Italy midfielder stuck to his trademark skipped run-up, and duly wrong-footed the goalkeeper.

While he doubtless expected to score, the relief was palpable as he puffed out his cheeks and pumped his fist.

The match was always likely to meander, but the next incident of note did not come until after the hour mark.

Cristian Ramirez gifted Abraham the ball in the Krasnodar six-yard box and – while the Chelsea striker was already picturing his goal – Evgeni Gorodov had entirely the opposite idea.

The Krasnodar goalkeeper conjured a fine point-blank block, leaving Abraham perplexed on a golden chance missed.

Kai Havertz should have scored too, just minutes later, when played in by debutant Anjorin. But the German’s sticky patch had continued here, and a heavy touch allowed Gorodov to recover.

By this point Lampard had seen enough, and called for the cavalry for the final 15 minutes.

Off came Kovacic and Havertz, with N’Golo Kante and Werner sent into action in search of a winner.

Immediately Kante dinked a delicious ball into the box, only for Abraham to fail to meet the cross.

No breakthrough could be found however, leaving the Blues frustrated with the draw but still delighted to be heading into the knockout stages.

amp_article__425705 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-12-08 22:22:04:
html db last update - 2020-12-08 22:22:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .