Now that was a job well done! Top spot in the group is guaranteed. John Terry’s very early goal was followed up with a strike from Willian and an own-goal to make the score 3-0 at half-time, and this time Jose Mourinho’s men were able to turn the fine display into second-half goals too, substitutes Didier Drogba and Ramires finding the net with space on the counter- attack in good supply throughout. The win equals our all-time best Champions League result away from home – the 5-0 against Galatasaray back in 1999. TEAM NEWS Jose Mourinho went with the same side as began the widely praised performance against West Brom last time out which meant the first Champions League action of the season for Cesar Azpilicueta. Roberto Di Matteo was able to name a stronger defence that his predecessor for our September meeting with Schalke. Captain Roman Neustadter was back in the middle, alongside Felipe Santana who was a change from their previous Champions League outing, as was Dennis Aogo at left-back, Jan Kirchhoff in midfield and Kevin-Prince Boateng in the no.10 role behind Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar. FIRST HALF The starting 11 was the same as on Saturday and so was the quality of Chelsea’s start to the game, although this time the goal came even quicker. So incisive on the break from our own half, Willian headed down into the path of Fabregas who passed forward to Oscar on the flank. The Brazilian’s onward pass was perfect to set Diego Costa away but when the striker checked inside his chaser and shot, the ball clipped the keeper and went for a corner. A delay of only a few seconds. Fabregas didn’t go short with his corner this time as he done with the second goal at the weekend, instead it went deep and there was nothing the German defence could do when Terry shuffled, leapt high and met it hard but watch the ball hit the net. Matic did well to duck and make it harder for the keeper. Diego Costa looked likely to test the keeper again inside the first 10 minutes when Willian this time found him onside. A very good recovery tackle from Felipe Santana came to the home team’s rescue. Schalke did produce one moment of attacking danger in the first half, however we were able to count our blessings when Choupo-Moting’ shot deflected off Gary Cahill and dropped over Courtois but hit the bar. Hoger was booked for bringing a Chelsea attack to an end midway inside his half – it being no surprise that Hazard was the player felled. He started the day as the second-most fouled in this season’s Champions League. Diego Costa had a shot deflected wide midway through the half after the ball came back his way when his attempted backheel through the defence to Hazard was blocked. The corner again caused Schalke big problems but the whistle went for a foul on the keeper. Chelsea were well in control of the game and the goal to reflect that came just before the half- hour mark. The move started in the Chelsea half before Fabregas collected Hazard’s pass and swivelled having popped up wide on the right. The pace increased as his ball inside was played by Willian to Hazard and back to Willian again. The Brazilian’s shot was firm but it really shouldn’t have found Fahrmann wanting at his near- post. It did and we were 2-0 ahead.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 22:01:18 +0000
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