GILMOUR TAKES CENTRE STAGE FOR CHELSEA
NO wonder they call him the Scottish Iniesta. Billy Gilmour has star quality written all over him. Here, on his return to action following a serious knee injury that sidelined him for six months, the Chelsea midfielder — all 5ft 7ins of him — was back dictating the Blues midfield like he’d never been away. Dripping in technical ability, bursting with in-game intelligence and a dash of full-blooded Caledonian tenacity, Gilmour’s got the lot. The 19-year-old went full pelt at making up for lost time last night on his long-awaited return to action, emerging as Chelsea’s stand-out performer in their final Champions League group game against Krasnodar. Of course, he’s got some way before he emulates the man he is being likened too. But on this evidence, reaching Andres Iniesta’s lofty level isn’t beyond the young man from Saltcoats. With top spot in the group already in the bag, Chelsea approached this encounter with the pressure completely off. Krasnodar took a 24th-minute lead when Viktor Claesson’s clever flick found Remy Cabella, who stroked past Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was almost as if their manager Murad Musayev couldn’t quite believe it — the look on his face one of disbelief rather than elation. Not for long though, just two minutes to be precise. Gimour hassled and harried the Russian defence into submission, paving the way for Mateo Kovacic to play through Tammy Abraham. who was abruptly upended by Kaio for a Chelsea penalty.
Jorginho did the rest but Kai Havertz was then denied by some brave keeping from Evgeni Gorodov before Timo Werner went close moments before the end. ‘I should have scored,’ admitted Havertz on missing a chance to win the game. ‘But there were a lot of changes and we can be happy with a draw.’