Latest: Maribor 1 Chelsea 0 – Blues in danger of shock Champions League defeat

By

Agim Ibraimi scored a fine goal to give Maribor a shock lead in the Champions League Group G clash.

Filipe Luis was slow to close down Ibraimi and he took full advantage, brilliantly curling the ball into the top corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Chelsea had dominated the first half, Didier Drogba and Kurt Zouma going close in the opening stages in Slovenia, where a victory would clinch the Blues’ place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with two games to spare.

Zouma headed over from Cesc Fabregas’ cross and Drogba’s deflected shot was well saved by keeper Jasmin Handanovic.

Having weathered some early pressure, Maribor, recently thrashed 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, had a decent spell and striker Tavares squandered a chance when he elected to pass rather than shoot after going past John Terry.

Chelsea regained the initiative and Andre Schurrle’s blushes were spared by an offside flag after the German contrived to miss from three yards out after being found by Willian.

Schurrle did better with a well struck effort that went narrowly wide, while Drogba saw a free-kick saved by Handanovic, who also pushed away a shot from Eden Hazard.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho made a double substitution at the break, sending on Diego Costa and Oscar in place of Schurrle and Willian.

But five minutes later his team were behind – and Costa then missed a chance to equalise when he fired over.

And it would have been 2-0 had Luka Zahovic not inexplicably missed the target with the goal at his mercy after being found by Mitja Viler’s left-wing cross.

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Filipe Luis (Ramires 57); Matic, Fabregas; Schurrle (Costa 45), Willian (Oscar 45), Hazard; Drogba.
Subs: Courtois, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Salah,.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook