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Ross Barkley fluffed a late penalty as Frank Lampard suffered defeat on his Champions League debut as Chelsea manager.<\/p>\nRoss Barkley fluffed a late penalty as Frank Lampard suffered defeat on his Champions League debut as Chelsea manager.<\/p>\n
The Blues, trailing to a goal from Valencia winger Rodrigo, were given a lifeline in the closing stages when VAR flagged up a handball in the area.<\/p>\n
But Barkley\u2019s spot-kick clipped the crossbar to condemn Lampard and his young side to a 1-0 loss in the Group H opener.<\/p>\n
The Spaniards were supposed to be there for the taking, having arrived in west London in turmoil following the sacking of popular boss Marcelino last week, a move which has angered the players as well as the fans.<\/p>\n
But they did not play like a team on the verge of mutiny and had too much nous for Lampard\u2019s beginners, four of whom were making their Champions League debuts.<\/p>\n
Lampard, who played 102 Champions League matches for Chelsea and captained them to their 2012 triumph, was perfectly placed to impart his experience of playing at this level to his youngsters \u2013 but it could still be a steep learning curve this season.<\/p>\n
Tammy Abraham, fresh from his hat-trick at Wolves, was denied a maiden Champions League goal when his near-post flick was blocked by Valencia keeper Jasper Cillessen.<\/p>\n
Fellow rookie Mason Mount then received a painful introduction to Europe when former Arsenal midfielder Frances Coquelin left his studs on the inside of the youngster\u2019s shin.<\/p>\n
It was a nasty challenge which only earned Coquelin a yellow card, but after trying to play on Mount\u2019s match came to a premature end after 14 minutes.<\/p>\n
Abraham went close again with a far-post header from Cesar Azpilicueta\u2019s cross and Willian\u2019s powerful run through the middle only produced a shot which flew wide.<\/p>\n
Willian, Chelsea\u2019s biggest threat in the first half, almost fashioned a spectacular opener when he controlled Mateo Kovacic\u2019s crossfield pass on his chest, but his first-time shot flew over.<\/p>\n
And on the stroke of half-time the Brazilian\u2019s fierce drive towards the near post was parried clear by Cillessen.<\/p>\n
Marcos Alonso took the game to Valencia early in the second half, drilling in a free-kick which Cillessen tipped behind before heading the resulting corner over.<\/p>\n
But in the 74th minute they fell behind, Rodrigo giving the Chelsea defense the slip as he raced onto Daniel Parejo\u2019s chipped free-kick and swept the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga.<\/p>\n
Chelsea\u2019s chance to snatch a point arrived five minutes from time when their players appealed for a handball, and replays did indeed show Fikayo Tomori\u2019s header had struck the arm of defender Daniel Wass.<\/p>\n
After an interminable VAR delay a spot-kick was finally given but Barkley, on as a substitute just seven minutes earlier, took responsibility only to crash his effort against the frame of the goal.<\/p>\n