Dynamo Kiev 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea twice hit the woodwork but were forced to settle for a point after having the better of an intriguing Champions League tie in Kiev.
Eden Hazard hit the post in a first half in which Cesc Fabregas had a strong penalty appeal turned down, while Willian’s stunning free-kick rattled the bar after the interval
Dynamo Kiev piled forward in the closing stages against a jaded looking Blues.
But Jose Mourinho’s side survived some strong late pressure without too much alarm to earn a vital point.
The Blues looked bright from the outset and dominated the first half. Nemanja Matic and Ramires won the midfield battle and Willian and the recalled Hazard looked dangerous in attack.
Hazard hit the post with a fine curling strike, Willian’s teasing free-kick almost teed up a goal for Diego Costa and Matic sent an effort just wide after a brilliant run.
And Fabregas looked like he should have won a penalty when he cut in from the left and seemed to be felled by two Dynamo defenders.
Dynamo threatened at times, most notably when Vitaliy Buyalskiy had a shot deflected just wide by John Terry.
But Chelsea remained in control after the break when the high-tempo, high-pressing game continued.
Willian struck the underside of the bar with an exquisite 25-yard free-kick, Fabregas had a shot saved after a swift counter-attack and Hazard had a goalbound strike blocked following a fine move involving Fabregas and Willian.
The Ukrainians showed greater ambition in the closing quarter against tiring opposition, with the excellent Andriy Yarmolenko and Derlis Gonzalez posing the main threat.
Their best opportunity saw the former set up the latter after a mazy run, only to be denied by Asmir Begovic’s near-post save.
Neither team could could find a winner in a frantic finale and, although Chelsea remain third in the group, they look in a healthy position to progress after three games.
Mourinho’s men have four points, one behind Dynamo and two behind leaders Porto, but Chelsea have played both the top two away from home.
Chelsea: Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas (Oscar 75), Hazard; Diego Costa.
Subs not used: Blackman, Baba, Mikel, Traore, Kenedy, Falcao.
This post was last modified on 21/10/2015