Chelsea go for broke with time quickly running out, and Willian finds Batshuayi in the box once more only for the substitute to drag his shot harmlessly wide.
90' +2
James, who has made a huge difference since coming on, goes on the offence again from deep and finds Abraham with a wicked cross but the striker, who has been uncharacteristically profligate all game, heads well wide of the Ajax goal.
90'
There will be four minutes of added time to be played.
88'
Mazraoui forces another good save from Arrizabalaga after venturing forward from right-back. And, as quick as a flash, Chelsea break away at the other end only for Abraham’s header to go straight at Omana!
87'
M. Batshuayi enters the game and replaces M. Kovačić.
Lampard throws his last roll of the dice in search of a winner and brings on Batshuayi for the impressive Kovacic.
83'
Hudson-Odoi is able to find space and dinks in an early cross towards Abraham, but the latter is unable to get much contact on the ball and it goes out of play for a goal kick.
82'
Jorginho floats in an exquisite ball towards the other flank, where Willian is able to connect first-time only for Onana to go down low and save well.
76'
Good fingertip save by Arrizabalaga there, who had to be at full stretch to deny Promes’ free-kick from nearly 30 yards out. Ajax get the corner, but Willian is able to clear the set-piece.
75'
Willian threatens Tagliafico once more, fooling the left-back with a step-over before attempting to cut it back towards Pulisic only for Omana to collect the ball. What a game this is turning out to be!
74'
R. James has scored a goal for Chelsea!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!! JAMES MAKES IT 4-4!!! Zouma’s header following Willian’s corner his the bar and bounces clear only as far as the substitute, who rifles it home through a crowded Ajax penalty area! What a comeback from 4-1 down!
Minute
Description
72'
P. Schuurs enters the game and replaces David Neres.
E. Álvarez enters the game and replaces H. Ziyech.
The excellent Ziyech is also sacrificed as Alvarez comes on in his place.
Ten Hag brings on Schuurs for Neres in an attempt to shut up shop now that his side are now down to nine men!
71'
Penalty goal scored by Jorginho for Chelsea!
GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! IT'S NOW 4-3!! Jorginho makes no mistake from the spot once more as he scores his second penalty of the game after wrongfooting Omana once again! This has the makings of a Champions League classic right here!
69'
J. Veltman gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
AND VELTMAN IS SENT OFF TOO! The Ajax defender is penalised for handball following Hudson-Odoi’s shot and his defensive partner’s dismissal, and Ajax have not only conceded another penalty but are also shorn of their two centre-backs! Unbelievable scenes at the Bridge!
68'
D. Blind gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
BLIND IS DISMISSED! The Ajax players surround Rocchi after the ex-Manchester United defender’s trip on Abraham is played on, and once Hudson-Odoi’s shot appeared to have hit Veltman’s hand in the penalty area, Rocchi stops play to hand Blind his second yellow!
67'
Willian, who has been increasingly influential during this second half, cuts it back to Jorginho in space who attempts a low drive that fizzes past Abraham and well wide of Onana’s goal.
63'
César Azpilicueta has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by T. Abraham.
GOOOOOAAAALLLL!! AZPILICUETA GETS ONE BACK FOR CHELSEA! The skipper cajoles his teammates back to the centre circle following more Chelsea pressure inside the Ajax penalty area, with James’ cross directed towards Abraham and the latter’s touch helping it on to the onrushing right-back at the far post to poke it home! It’s now 4-2, and Stamford Bridge has found its noise once again!
Abraham does well to help the ball towards his skipper amidst pressure from Veltman breathing down his neck in the six-yard area!
62'
Q. Promes gets yellow.
Referee Rocchi makes no hesitation in booking Promes after a clumsy shove on Willian in a vain attempt to win the ball.
60'
C. Hudson-Odoi enters the game and replaces M. Mount.
Mount is unable to carry on, and he limps off the pitch with the help of the club's medics. Hudson-Odoi comes on in his place for Lampard's second substitution.
55'
D. van de Beek has scored a goal for Ajax! Assist by H. Ziyech.
GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! VAN DE BEEK MAKES IT 4-1! Not long after another Chelsea breakaway, Ajax counter at will down the wing and after Neres is tackled by Zouma, Ziyech collects the loose ball and calmly plays in Van De Beek who slots it past Arrizabalaga!
Ziyech is once again the architect of another Ajax goal, capping off an excellent display with another assist after playing in Van De Beek in acres of space.
51'
Abraham manages to get a header in off of Pulisic’s cross following more offensive play by the Blues, but the forward’s effort is tame and Onana easily collects the ball.
49'
Pulisic gets into the box and delivers it low towards the onrushing James, who forces a corner to start the second half with. Willian’s set-piece comes to nothing though, and Ajax clear.
46'
R. James enters the game and replaces Marcos Alonso.
Lampard makes his first change before the start of the second half, bringing on James for Alonso after the latter's error-strewn performance.
Chelsea get play restarted as the second half gets underway!
45' +1
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-3 AJAX
45'
César Azpilicueta gets yellow.
Azpilicueta gets his side’s second yellow card for obstruction, stopping Ziyech from getting on the end of Van De Beek’s throughball.
Abraham goes into defensive mode once again, heading away Promes’ free-kick for another corner. There will be one minute of added time to be played.
43'
Alonso, who can hit them from distance, gets a low half-volley in amidst a crowded Ajax penalty area to which Onana is equal to.
42'
F. Tomori gets yellow.
Martinez blazes a promising effort over the bar after some enterprising attacking play from the Dutch side. In the meantime, Tomori is booked following a clumsy challenge on Neres despite the latter electing to play on, eventually leading to his teammate’s chance.
38'
Better from Chelsea there, as Willian makes a dangerous run into the Ajax penalty area and manages to whip in a low cross that forces Onana to intervene with his outstretched left leg! The visitors clear once again.
37'
Pulisic releases Azpilicueta out on the other wing, and the Blues skipper is able to venture forward into the box only for his cross to be intercepted by the Ajax defence and cleared away!
35'
Kepa is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOAAALLLL!!! IT’S NOW 3-1 TO AJAX!! Alonso pays the price for his carelessness as Ziyech’s free-kick is whipped towards Arrizabalaga’s far post with such precision that it hits the bar before going into the back of the net by bouncing off of the Chelsea stopper’s face! A farcical way to concede a goal, and Stamford Bridge falls into silence!
34'
Alonso concedes a needless free-kick near the corner flag after an overzealous attempt at winning the ball off of Tadic.
33'
D. Blind gets yellow.
Blind now gets himself in the referee’s book following his cynical attempt at stopping Kovacic as the Chelsea midfielder drove forward.
32'
Pulisic’s free-kick is too high to find anyone in a blue shirt though, and Onana comfortably catches the ball.
31'
J. Veltman gets yellow.
Willian goes down after a hard shove on the back by Veltman. The Ajax centre-back gets the game's first booking as a result.
27'
Ziyech floats in another wonderful cross towards the Chelsea box, forcing Abraham to head the ball behind for a corner. The set-piece is played short, but comes to nothing as Chelsea attempt to counter only for Pulisic to get outmuscled by Mazraoui at the vital moment.
25'
Great ball by Willian to release Mount, but the latter quickly loses possession and Ajax quickly go on the break. However, Alonso recklessly lunges into Neres and concedes the foul.
23'
Tagliafico tries to play his way out of trouble only to run into a sea of blue shirts. He manages to win the throw-in, and his teammates are able to play the ball back to Onana for the keeper to boot it away.
20'
Q. Promes has scored a goal for Ajax! Assist by H. Ziyech.
GOOOOAAAALLLL!! AJAX MAKE IT 2-1!! Ziyech plays a lovely cross towards the hosts’ six-yard area after more keep-ball from the visitors near the touchline and Promes reacts quickest to head it past Arrizabalaga in no man’s land!
Excellent vision by Ziyech there, who managed to spot Promes' run with the latter heading it home.
16'
Tagliafico sends one in the box only for Tomori to head it clear. Martinez regains possession and plays in Ziyech who elects to shoot from distance only for the effort to sail harmlessly wide of Arrizabalaga’s goal.
11'
Another promising run by Pulisic is stopped by Mazraoui, but the hosts continue to threaten in the Ajax half. Both sides look to have settled after that frantic start.
10'
Tomori gives the ball away to Tadic, and Ajax attempt to play keep-ball in the Chelsea half. However, Azpilicueta has Neres well covered out on the other wing and the latter concedes a throw-in.
8'
Willian and Pulisic try to conjure something in the midfield but Ajax quickly regroup and regain possession.
4'
Penalty goal scored by Jorginho for Chelsea!
GOOOOAAALLLL!! CHELSEA EQUALISE! Calm as you like, Jorginho wrongfoots Onana and slots his third penalty of the season to level things and raise the volume at the Bridge once more. It’s now 1-1, and it’s barely been five minutes since the referee’s opening whistle!
2'
T. Abraham is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOAAALLLL!!! AJAX GET THE EARLY LEAD!! Azpilicueta’s foul near the touchline brought about a free-kick, which was whipped by Promes and in the chaos inside the Chelsea penalty area, Abraham gets the unfortunate last touch past Arrizabalaga! 1-0 to Ajax, and Stamford Bridge falls silent.
1'
The hosts are out in their famed all-blue kit, while the away side are decked in their iconic red-and-white colours.
Referee Gianluca Rocchi blows his whistle, and Ajax get us underway at Stamford Bridge!
Tadic applauds Ziyech’s early attempt to put him through, but Tomori is able to see the ball out for a Chelsea goal kick.
Hello, and welcome to our LIVE coverage of this Champions League match as Chelsea host Ajax at Stamford Bridge!
Both sides head into this fixture with six points apiece (two wins and one defeat so far) as they each seek to establish top spot in Group H. Back-to-back losses against Liverpool in the Premier League and Valencia on the opening matchday of the Champions League have failed to deter Chelsea, who are currently on a run of eight wins in their last nine matches and are exceeding expectations as they sit in fourth in the Premier League. Despite their defensive frailties, Frank Lampard’s young Blues have notched two or more goals in six of their last nine games, and the hosts’ gaffer will be aware that his side must remain focused in their quest to consolidate first place and automatic qualification from their group.
Last season’s semi-finalists Ajax also head into London in fine form themselves, having only lost one competitive match since the start of the season. That defeat came against today’s opponents, who emerged from the Johan Cruyff Arena with a deserved 1-0 win in their last Champions League outing and by virtue of that victory, currently top the group. That loss doesn’t appear to have dented the Dutch side’s confidence though, with Erik ten Hag’s league champions currently leading the Eredivisie by six points, and he will know that a win today will put them in pole position as group winners and another shot at a fairytale run similar to the previous campaign.
CHELSEA XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta (c), Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Marcos Alonso; Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic; Willian, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic; Tammy Abraham.
And without further ado, let’s take a look at how both sides line up, starting with the hosts.
AJAX XI (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Joel Veltman, Daley Blind, Nicolas Tagliafico; Donny van de Beek, Lisandro Martinez; David Neres, Hakim Ziyech, Quincy Promes; Dusan Tadic (c).
SUBSTITUTES: Andreas Christensen, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Willy Caballero, Billy Gilmour, N'Golo Kante, Michy Batshuayi.
SUBSTITUTES: Perr Schuurs, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Razvan Marin, Siem de Jong, Sergino Dest, Edson Alvarez, Bruno Varela.
The players are out and kick-off is drawing near.
Lampard will have his work cut out to inspire his troops to salvage something from this game, with a much improved defensive showing in the second half a must in this battle to top Group H. As for Ten Hag’s side, more of the same, particularly with Ziyech’s dangerous set-pieces, and their chances of leaving London with three points will increase with each passing minute. A fascinating second half awaits.
And that wraps up our coverage. We hope you enjoyed our commentary, and until next time, goodbye!
Both sides return to domestic duties this weekend, with Chelsea returning to hosting duties as they prepare to face Crystal Palace on Saturday while Ajax host Utrecht in the Johan Cruyff Arena the following day. Key Champions League fixtures await both teams though, as Lampard’s Blues will travel to Valencia on the 27th of November while Ten Hag’s side head to Lille on the same day in what will be must-win games in their quest for progression to the second round.
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