{"id":24368,"date":"2021-12-08T16:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T21:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24368"},"modified":"2021-12-10T09:33:37","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T14:33:37","slug":"chelsea-through-in-second-place-after-draw-in-st-petersburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=24368","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea Through In Second Place After Draw In St Petersburg"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Magomed Ozdoev (center) celebrates his late equalizer (AP\/Press Association Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Magomed Ozdoev\u2019s stoppage-time thunderbolt consigned a patched-up Chelsea to a 3-3 draw at Zenit St Petersburg and second place in Champions League Group H.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timo Werner thought he had settled the argument with a smart, late second goal in the closing stages, only for Ozdoev to lash home a half-volley from the edge of the area at the death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juventus\u2019 1-0 win over Malmo secured top spot for the Italians, leaving defending champions Chelsea sweating on a potentially-tougher draw in the last-16 knockout stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Werner laid on a tap-in for fit-again Romelu Lukaku in an industrious night in Russia, but Thomas Tuchel\u2019s men were unable to shake off a host of injury issues on their travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claudinho and Sardar Azmoun plundered two quick goals to cancel out Werner\u2019s second-minute opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the draw hardly represents major damage, taskmaster boss Tuchel will doubtless be frustrated by another below-par showing from a Chelsea side in the middle of a minor funk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuchel made eight changes to the starting line-up from Saturday\u2019s chastening 3-2 defeat at West Ham, that saw the Blues slip from the Premier League summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major trial run feel to the XI saw Saul Niguez operate at left wing-back and Reece James in defensive midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The continued injuries to wing-back Ben Chilwell and midfielders N\u2019Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho has stretched Tuchel\u2019s resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And with qualification for the knockout phase already in the bag, the St Petersburg trip offered a rare chance to experiment in competitive action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The selections were not without risk however, and Saul certainly failed to impress in his new wide berth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James\u2019 general technical excellence shone through, but Chelsea\u2019s senior defensive midfield trio boast superlative tactical nous which at this point appears unmatched in the rest of the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saul was brought in as the fourth defensive midfielder but finds himself at best fifth choice in that role, behind Ruben Loftus-Cheek as well as the regular operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spaniard\u2019s continued struggle only adds further curiosity to the decision to send impressive Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour on loan to Norwich for the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea seized the perfect start with Werner tapping the ball in from a corner inside two minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But just as quickly as Chelsea took control, the Blues relinquished that dominance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visitors refused to heed the warning signs, as Kepa Arrizabalaga saved from Malcolm in a one-on-one and Azmoun headed wide from Claudinho\u2019s cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea continued to ease off the throttle, and paid the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claudinho ghosted into the box to nod home Santos\u2019 cross after the Blues failed to clear their lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to add insult to injury, Ross Barkley conceded possession almost immediately after the restart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Azmoun slipped Chelsea\u2019s defensive line, rounded Kepa and slotted into the net to put Zenit 2-1 up and complete a shock turnaround.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visitors tentatively got their act together after half-time with Lukaku eventually levelling the tie with a facile finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barkley slid a neat ball through for Werner and his ball across the box allowed Lukaku the easiest tap in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kepa kept Chelsea in the contest again with a smart save from Azmoun\u2019s thumping header.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spaniard reacted sharply to bat away with the ball already behind him when he swatted clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as Chelsea\u2019s chances to top the group appeared to be ebbing away, Werner popped up with a smart second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christian Pulisic traded passes with Hakim Ziyech before feeding Werner to feet in the box. The Germany forward checked inside his man before angling into the net in style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea thought they were done and dusted, only to fall prey to another sucker punch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blues failed to clear from a facile knock-down, Ozdoev reacted quickest and lashed the ball into the net from distance.<\/p>\n

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