|
November 6, 2014
|
||||
|
Star Sport |
|||||
|
|
|||||
Chelsea draw with Maribor |
|||||
![]() File Maribor's goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic saves a penalty from Chelsea's Eden Hazard during the Champions League match in Slovenia yesterday. MARIBOR, Slovenia (AP): Eden Hazard had a late penalty saved as Chelsea missed a chance to advance from Group G in the Champions League yesterday, drawing 1-1 with Maribor. Unrecognisable from the side that was crushed 6-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, Maribor took a deserved lead in the 50th minute when Agim Ibraimi's superb curling shot beat Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal. Chelsea, who leads the group with eight points, equalised in the 73rd minute through Nemanja Matic who latched onto a John Terry header to score from close range. Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho felt his side had become complacent in what many expected would be another straightforward victory over the Slovenians. "Many times surprises happen when people are not fully focused, when they believe the game can't be a difficult one," Mourinho said. "Only when Maribor scored did the players realise the game was in danger. After that, a fantastic reaction. We deserved to win, clearly." Mourinho reacted to a poor first-half showing by his side at the Stadion Ljudski vrt by making a double substitution at halftime, introducing striker Diego Costa and Oscar. Luka Zahovic missed a fine chance to double the advantage and enhance Maribor's claims of inflicting Chelsea's first defeat of the season, before Matic's effort 17 minutes from time saved the Blues' blushes. Maribor goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic saved well from Hazard and Costa, who had the ball in the net after 79 minutes, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside. |
|||||
Home | Gleaner Blogs | Gleaner Online | Go-Jamaica | Go-Local | Feedback | Disclaimer | Advertisement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us |
|||||