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Jorginho\u2019s penalty salvaged second-string Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Krasnodar in Tuesday\u2019s dead rubber Champions League clash.<\/p>\nJorginho\u2019s penalty salvaged second-string Chelsea a 1-1 draw with Krasnodar in Tuesday\u2019s dead rubber Champions League clash.<\/p>\n
Remy Cabella put Krasnodar into the lead at Stamford Bridge, in the final Group E clash that could have no effect on pool standings.<\/p>\n
Chelsea hit back without delay though, with Jorginho converting from the spot after Tammy Abraham drew a foul in the box.<\/p>\n
Italy midfielder Jorginho held his nerve to slot home his first penalty since missing in the 4-0 win in Krasnodar, in a failure that cost him Chelsea\u2019s main spot-kick duties.<\/p>\n
Timo Werner had blasted a late penalty in Russia on October 28 to show Jorginho how it is done, before assuming top spot-kick billing for the Blues.<\/p>\n
A much-changed Chelsea labored throughout a low-key contest with Krasnodar this time around though, with Jorginho\u2019s penalty redemption one of few highlights.<\/p>\n
Ultimately the Blues will move on undeterred, with immediate Premier League trips to Everton and Wolves holding far greater significance \u2013 and a last-16 Champions League tie to look forward in the new year.<\/p>\n
Boss Frank Lampard has repeatedly warned his Chelsea squad they cannot \u201cflick the switch\u201d off and on when it comes to delivering top performances.<\/p>\n
However extensive the rotation proves across this hectic festive schedule, Lampard has demanded minimum standards from his players.<\/p>\n
This was perhaps the first time that his men failed to meet those requirements \u2013 but if there were ever any time to fall short, this was it.<\/p>\n
Billy Gilmour impressed, typically mixing tidiness with attacking threat from midfield, while 19-year-old full debutant Tino Anjorin showed encouraging progress.<\/p>\n
Chelsea started slowly, especially without the ball.<\/p>\n
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen appeared sluggish, causing problems for their full-backs when Krasnodar attacked at speed.<\/p>\n
Viktor Claesson whipped an effort wide when afforded far too much time and space in the box, which yielded a major reprieve for the hosts and that tentative defense.<\/p>\n
The Blues failed to heed the lesson though, and Cabella took full advantage.<\/p>\n
The former Newcastle midfielder drilled low into the net from another situation where the home defense stood off and watched.<\/p>\n
First Christensen left Cesar Azpilicueta exposed down the flank by sitting too deep and narrow, and then the Denmark defender failed to close down Cabella in the box.<\/p>\n
The result was the Krasnodar lead, and one that Chelsea could hardly argue against at that point.<\/p>\n
The Blues\u2019 sole saving grace of a lacklustre half proved their immediate riposte, as Abraham won a penalty having been fed in the box by Mateo Kovacic.<\/p>\n
Jorginho stepped up to the spot with a point to prove, perhaps as much to himself as anyone else.<\/p>\n
The Italy midfielder stuck to his trademark skipped run-up, and duly wrong-footed the goalkeeper.<\/p>\n
While he doubtless expected to score, the relief was palpable as he puffed out his cheeks and pumped his fist.<\/p>\n
The match was always likely to meander, but the next incident of note did not come until after the hour mark.<\/p>\n
Cristian Ramirez gifted Abraham the ball in the Krasnodar six-yard box and \u2013 while the Chelsea striker was already picturing his goal \u2013 Evgeni Gorodov had entirely the opposite idea.<\/p>\n
The Krasnodar goalkeeper conjured a fine point-blank block, leaving Abraham perplexed on a golden chance missed.<\/p>\n
Kai Havertz should have scored too, just minutes later, when played in by debutante Anjorin. But the German\u2019s sticky patch had continued here, and a heavy touch allowed Gorodov to recover.<\/p>\n
By this point Lampard had seen enough, and called for the cavalry for the final 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
Off came Kovacic and Havertz, with N\u2019Golo Kante and Werner sent into action in search of a winner.<\/p>\n
Immediately Kante dinked a delicious ball into the box, only for Abraham to fail to meet the cross.<\/p>\n
No breakthrough could be found however, leaving the Blues frustrated with the draw but still delighted to be heading into the knockout stages.<\/p>\n