Audio By Carbonatix
Chelsea overcame determined Danish side FC Nordsjaelland to earn a first Champions League group stage victory.
The champions went ahead when Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard combined to set up Juan Mata to slot home.
Nordsjaelland rattled the visitors and Joshua John sent a shot just wide and had a strike palmed on to the post.
But David Luiz scored with a free-kick, Mata added his second with a left-foot shot and Ramires tapped in to give the scoreline a slightly flattering look.
Chelsea had shown commendable resilience but had also had lived dangerously, with their failure to add to their early lead encouraging their largely unknown and unfancied opponents, who were playing first ever game on home soil in the Champions League.
Almost immediately, Oscar crossed for Moses at the far post but, just as the winger appeared set to nod in, Nordsjaelland centre-back Jores Okore flung himself across to force the effort against the post.
Okore had to have treatment after the clash and, despite coming back on with a bandage around his head, he was an inspirational presence for his side with his all-action style.
Nordsjaelland gradually shook off the nerves and began to play a style of passing football that was easy on the eye and meant the visitors had to be wary.
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole gave the ball away to Dutch striker John, who has eight goals in seven league appearances so far this season, but he sent an ambitious long-range shot well off target.
The home side's weakness was an uncertain defence and, after Torres had a shot saved having picked up Ivan Runje's miscued headed clearance, Chelsea deservedly took the lead through Mata.
Torres caught Enoch Adu in possession and laid the ball across to Lampard, whose deft first-time pass between two defenders was met with a confident finish by Mata past keeper Hansen.
An alert Hansen then denied Torres but Chelsea failed to extend their lead and were almost punished.
John arrowed a shot just the wrong side of the post before Mikkel Beckmann latched on to Okore's lofted pass, only to send a 10-yard header high.
A Nicolai Stokholm 20-yard strike stung the palms of Cech, who also produced a superb save to fingertip another John effort against the post.
However, a lovely dipping Luiz free-kick went in off the post and signalled a late flurry of Chelsea goals.
Some clever passing from the visitors ended with Mata sidefooting in before Oscar crossed for Ramires to tap in after 89 minutes.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
11 arrested over mass shooting in South Africa tavern
32 minutes -
Ghana to push UN motion declaring slave trade humanity’s greatest crime
43 minutes -
Debt cancellation, cash and stolen artefacts -Mahama demands real reparations for Africa
1 hour -
Africa will not forget being called ‘sh*tholes’ – Mahama
2 hours -
Bomb blast in packed Nigerian mosque kills five
2 hours -
Democratic lawmaker sues to remove Trump’s name from Kennedy Center
2 hours -
Africans cannot afford discriminative tagging – Mahama at Diaspora Summit
2 hours -
Trump-backed candidate Nasry Asfura wins in knife-edge Honduran election
3 hours -
Officials discover a million more documents potentially related to Epstein case
5 hours -
Kyrgios set to make ATP Tour return at Brisbane
5 hours -
‘Always hungry, always brave’ – why Man City want Semenyo
6 hours -
Cameroon open AFCON with win after Etta Eyong’s strike
6 hours -
Mahrez scores twice as Algeria beat 10-man Sudan
6 hours -
Imperial General Assurance supports Ashanti School for the Deaf Girls with menstrual hygiene products
6 hours -
Roverman Productions welcomes one and all to the Festival of Plays!
6 hours
