Chelsea continued their preparations for the new campaign with a friendly against Ferencvaros on Sunday.
It was the Hungarian side that drew first blood, with former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Zoltan Gera finding the back of the net after 17 minutes.
Chelsea were level early in the second period, however, when Ramires found the top corner from outside the box. The Blues won it late on courtesy of a brilliant individual goal from Cesc Fabregas.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's pre-season coverage continues this evening as Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros welcome Premier League side Chelsea. The home side have already started their league campaign – winning one of their first two games. However, Chelsea do not open their Premier League challenge until August 18, when they make the trip to Burnley. Right, let me bring you up-to-date with the teams.
TEAMS:
Ferencvaros: TBA
Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Luis; Mikel, Ramires; Schurrle, Willian, Torres; Drogba
As expected. Jose Mourinho makes full use of his squad for tonight's match, with Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma both starting for the Blues. There is also a spot in attack for Didier Drogba, with Willian and Fernando Torres supporting the Ivorian. New signings Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa are among the subs for the Premier League side. We are still waiting on confirmed team news from the Hungarian outfit.
As mentioned, Ferencvaros have already began their league campaign. They beat Kecskemeti TE 3-1 at the end of last month, but lost 1-0 to Papa last time out. They have won the Hungarian league on 28 occasions, but not since 2004, which was also the last time they won the Hungarian Cup. In the 2013-14 campaign, they finished third. It seems that the Hungarian side are still being secretive with their team!
It has been a disappointing few years for the home side, but they are an outfit used to winning football matches. The fact that they have already started their league season also means that they should, in theory, be ahead of Chelsea in terms of match sharpness and fitness.
TEAMS:
Ferencvaros: Dibusz; Bonig, Pavlovic, Mateos, Nalepa; Gyomber, Gera, Bode, Cukic; Nagy, Busai
Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Luis; Mikel, Ramires; Schurrle, Willian, Torres; Drogba
So there we have it. I can indeed confirm the team news for the home side. The major news from their part is a start for Zoltan Gera, who is familiar with Premier League supporters having represented the likes of Fulham and West Bromwich Albion. There are no fewer than six Hungarians in their XI for this evening.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are building up to their Premier League opener against Burnley on August 18. It has been a successful pre-season for the club, beating Wycombe Wanderers, AFC Wimbledon, Olimpija and Vitesse, but they were beaten 3-0 by Werder Bremen in their last 90-minute match at the start of the month.
The Blues have played two 45-minute games since then, however. Firstly, Chelsea overcame Turkish outfit Fenerbahce 2-0 on Friday night courtesy of goals from Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic, but the Premier League side were then beaten 1-0 by Besiktas in their second match of the Soma tournament.
Following on from this match, Chelsea host Spanish outfit Real Sociedad on Tuesday evening in what is their final match of pre-season. While a number of English clubs are still scrambling around in the transfer market, Chelsea have added the likes of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis, while Thibaut Courtois has returned from a loan spell with Atletico Madrid.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It will be a real test for Chelsea this evening that is for certain. The home side get the first half underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. As expected, Chelsea have taken control of the possession in the early moments, with the likes of Willian, Mikel and Zouma all enjoying touches in their own half. It could be a long night without the ball for the home side.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking football in the opening four minutes, but Chelsea are in control. Willian attempts to find Drogba inside a crowded box, but Bonig is on hand to head back to his own goalkeeper. The Hungarian side break down the other end with Gera, but he cannot find the run of Bode.
Luis combines with Willian down the left for Chelsea before rolling a cross into the box, but Mateos is on hand to clear the danger. Bode is down the other end for the home side, but he runs straight into the sizeable frame of Kouma. Positive couple of minutes for the Hungarian outfit.
The home side come close to taking the lead as Bode arrives at the far post before turning towards goal, but Cech is on hand to make the save. It would not have counted, however, with the flag raised.
CHANCES! Wonderful chance for Drogba to send Chelsea ahead as Schurrle feeds the Ivorian on the edge of the box, but his effort is straight at Dibusz. Moments later, the home side's goalkeeper gets down low to push a Schurrle effort away from goal. Super goalkeeping from the Hungarian.
Chelsea threaten once more as Drogba finds Torres down the left, but the Spaniard loses control at the vital moment and the danger is cleared. Torres is playing wide left this evening, which is strange to say the least. Still goalless, but the Blues are the team in control with 12 minutes played in Budapest.
Another half-chance for Chelsea as Drogba whips a cross-come-shot towards the far post, but it just drifts away from goal at the final moment. Ferencvaros cannot get out of their own half at the moment.
Chelsea threaten once more as a deep cross from Willian forces Mateos to head just behind his own crossbar under pressure from Mikel. The resulting corner is delivered towards Zouma, but the centre-back cannot make contact. Still goalless in Hungary, but the home side are really struggling at the moment.
GOAL! Ferencvaros 1-0 Chelsea (Gera)
Ferencvaros take the lead with 17 minutes on the clock as Gera finishes a Nalepa cross from close range. It just had to be Gera didn't it?! The home side lead against the run of play here.
Well, that has woken up everyone inside the stadium. Suddenly everyone in a white shirt wants the ball. However, Chelsea remain a serious threat in the final third. I am expecting goals in this match.
Another half-chance for the home side as Cukic finds some space just outside the Chelsea box, but his effort is straight into the arms of the Chelsea goalkeeper. End-to-end football in the last few minutes.
Half-chance for Chelsea as Schurrle finds the head of Zouma from a wide free kick, but his header was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, with the home supporters certainly pleased with what they have seen thus far.
Drogba appears to have a problem here as he turns his ankle inside the home side's box. It appears unlikely that the Ivorian will be fit to continue as he receives treatment at the side of the pitch. Ferencvaros are down the other end with Bode moments later and the forward is felled by Ramires.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the home side are causing Chelsea more and more problems, with Bode in full flight. Drogba, meanwhile, has returned to the field but limps off once more and will be unable to continue here. He has gone straight down the tunnel.
SUB! Oscar enters for Chelsea as Drogba's replacement.
Azpilicueta tries his luck for Chelsea after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. That has been the story for Chelsea since they fell behind. The home side are down the other end with Gera moments later, but the goalscorer cannot find the run of lone forward Bode.
Ferencvaros again threaten in a wide area as Bode turns on the edge of the box before feeding Nagy, but Luis is across to challenge at the vital moment. There are a few shouts for a penalty, but the referee is not interested. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Budapest.
CLOSE! Wonderful effort from Schurrle as the German curls a free kick towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of Dibusz's post. So close to an equaliser for Chelsea.
Schurrle again threatens for the away side after collecting a deep pass from Mikel, but the German cannot find Ramires inside the box. Just a reminder that both managers are expected to make a number of changes as the second period advances. That should be fun when trying to keep up-to-date with the names!
Half-chance for Chelsea as Oscar finds some space outside the box before striking one towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Not great from the Brazilian attacker it must be said.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with the home side comfortable in dealing with the threat from Chelsea. I suspect Mourinho will have some words to say at the interval.
HALF-TIME: Ferencvaros 1-0 Chelsea
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Ferencvaros leading 1-0 courtesy of a fine finish from Gera. Chelsea started the brighter, but struggled as the half advanced. The Blues also lost Drogba to what seemed a serious ankle injury. Not good news for Mourinho thus far.
BENCH WATCH: Both sides have a number of options on their benches this evening, with the home side expected to hand minutes to the likes of Batik, Lauth, Jova and Dominik Nagy. Chelsea, meanwhile, have new signings Fabregas and Costa in reserve. In addition to the likes of Matic, Hazard and Ivanovic.
Just a reminder that following this match Chelsea face Real Sociedad on Tuesday, before opening their Premier League campaign away to Burnley next Monday. We are indeed that close to the start of the Premier League campaign. Right, little over five minutes until both sides are due back on the field in Budapest.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. I would be astounded if there were not goals in the second 45 minutes. Neither defence has been too convincing thus far.
There have indeed been changes at the interval, with Costa and Fabregas among those that have entered for Chelsea. I shall do my best to confirm the changes when the information becomes available.
Possession football from Chelsea in the early stages of the second period, but the home side are tight and compact in defensive areas. Dom Nagy attempts to threaten for Ferencvaros down the other end, but Ivanovic is on hand to clear at the vital moment.
CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Christensen, Willian, Schurrle and Torres all departed at the break, with Ivanovic, Fabregas, Schwarzer, Costa and Salah entering proceedings.
CHELSEA SUB: Luis also went off at the break, with Cahill on for the Brazilian. It is always fun keeping up-to-date with the changes, especially when they all occur at the interval!
GOAL! Ferencvaros 1-1 Chelsea (Ramires)
Wow. Chelsea level with a spectacular effort from Ramires, who rattles one into the top corner from the edge of the box. It was slightly against the run of play, but the Chelsea supporters will not mind.
Another half-chance for Chelsea as Cahill meets a corner from Fabregas, but his header is straight into the arms of Csilus, who entered at the break for the home side. Still 1-1, but chances are now arriving.
Chelsea continue to force the issue and have another half-chance as Fabregas strikes one from just outside the box, but his effort smashes into the back of Costa. The home side just cannot get out of their own half at the moment and it seems only a matter of time before Chelsea make their dominance count.
Oscar again threatens for Chelsea after breaking into the box, but Mateos is across with a wonderful challenge to deny the Brazilian at the final moment. Chelsea break forward seconds later with Fabregas, but the Spaniard loses possession in the middle of the park. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
SUBS! Chelsea look to their bench once more as Matic and Hazard replace Ramires and Mikel.
Another opportunity for Chelsea to threaten from a free kick, but Ivanovic heads Fabregas's free kick over the crossbar. The Blues are well on top at the moment with their changes certainly influencing proceedings. That said, Ferencvaros remain a threat on the counter.
POST! Chelsea come close to taking the lead as Cahill meets a cross from Fabregas, but his effort comes off the post. The home side are down the other end moments later, but Nagy chooses the wrong pass and Matic is on hand to clear the danger.
SUB! Chelsea make another change as Moses enters the field in place of Azpilicueta.
Usually an influx of changes harm the tempo of a match, but that is not the case here. Chelsea continue to get stronger and stronger in the final third, with the home side really struggling for possession of the ball.
The home side have hardly had a chance of note in the second period and that pattern is continuing as Nagy loses possession in the final third having been handed possession by Fabregas. Chelsea are down the other end with Salah moments later, but the winger is challenged by Mateos at the vital moment.
SUB! The home side are forced into another change as Csilus enters the field in place of Nagay, who goes straight down the tunnel.
Schwarzer has not had a single save to make in this second period, which is a demonstration of Chelsea's dominance. You do get the feeling that the Blues will create another chance before all is said and done.
Just a reminder that Chelsea welcome Real Sociedad to London on Tuesday in what will be their final pre-season match. The Blues open their Premier League campaign away to Burnley next Monday. Back to this match and Oscar comes close to meeting a low cross from Hazard, who has been bright since entering the field.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene during an altercation between Costa and Pavlovic. It has become slightly scrappy in the last few minutes.
SUB! Another change for Chelsea as Van Ginkel replaces Salah.
CHANCE! Ake, who has also just entered the field in place of Zouma, comes close for Chelsea after meeting a cross from Oscar, but his header is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Ferencvaros 1-2 Chelsea (Fabregas)
Fabregas sends Chelsea 2-1 ahead after dancing into the box and finishing into the bottom corner. Wonderful feet from the Spaniard, who joined the club from Barcelona in the summer.
In truth, a second goal for Chelsea had been coming. The home side have hardly featured in the second 45 minutes. Little over five minutes of football remaining in Budapest.
Chelsea continue to break forward and again threaten when Fabregas slides in Costa, but Mateos is across to clear at the vital moment. It must be said that the home supporters have been in fine voice tonight.
Possession football from Chelsea in the last couple of minutes, which is not much of a surprise. The home side are just chasing shadows at the moment with little over one minute of normal time remaining.
CHANCE! Fabregas comes close to scoring his second of the match after Moses flashes a low cross towards the far post, but the Spaniard cannot make contact.
CHANCE! Costa comes close to making it 3-1 following a through pass from Fabregas, but the Spanish international just lifts his effort wide of the post.
FULL-TIME: Ferencvaros 1-2 Chelsea
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to an end in Budapest with Chelsea running out 2-1 winners over Ferencvaros courtesy of second-half goals from Ramires and Fabregas. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
