Krasnodar force much-changed Blues to settle for only a point
CHELSEA came from behind to draw with Russian side Krasnodar as they wrapped up the Champions League group stage with a lacklustre display at Stamford Bridge last night.
Jorginho saved Chelsea blushes with a first-half penalty to level the contest after the visitors had taken a unexpected early lead though Remy Cabella.
Having already qualified for the knockout stage as Group E winners, boss Frank Lampard took the opportunity to shuffle his pack, making ten changes to the side that beat Leeds 3-1 on Saturday.
That saw a return to the team of out-of-favour goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and a first start for teenage striker Tino Anjorin, with Billy Gilmour back in the line up after overcoming a knee injury.
The hosts, who came into the tie on the back of a 16-game unbeaten run, found themselves behind on 24 minutes after hesitancy in the Chelsea defence allowed Cabella to find the net with a tidy finish.
The visitors’ joy though, proved short-lived as Chelsea hit back almost immediately, Jorginho cooly slotting home from the spot after Tammy Abraham was upended by Krasnodar defender Kaio in the box.
Krasnodar looked dangerous on the break but had goalkeeper Evgeni Gorodov to thank for keeping the scores level as he produced two fine saves in quick succession to deny Abraham and Kai Havertz respectively.
Lampard sent on N’Golo Kante, Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud in search of the winner but despite seeing plenty of the ball the hosts just could not find a way past a determined Krasnodar rearguard.