EDEN HAZARD’S LATE penalty miss meant Chelsea had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Maribor in the UEFA Champions League.
Hazard’s spot-kick was saved by Jasmin Handanovic with five minutes remaining at Ljudski vrt on as the Slovenian side – who were hammered 6-0 at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago - held on for an unlikely point.
The Belgian appeared certain to secure a come-from-behind win after Nemanja Matic had cancelled out Agim Ibraimi’s superb 50th-minute opener.
But Handanovic proved the hero as Maribor secured a share of the spoils.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea headed into the encounter knowing victory could secure their place in the last 16 should Sporting fail to beat Schalke.
However, the Portuguese side had few difficulties brushing aside Roberto Di Matteo’s men 4-2 in Lisbon as Chelsea toiled – although the Premier League leaders remain three points clear at the summit of Group G with two games remaining.
Chelsea began strongly and almost took the lead in the eighth minute, Kurt Zouma heading narrowly wide after being picked out by Cesc Fabregas’ clever cross.
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Didier Drogba, selected in order to give the injury-plagued Diego Costa a rest, was next to threaten when he saw his deflected effort force a good reaction save from Handanovic.
Yet Chelsea were thankful just to be on level terms soon after, Zouma denying Sintayehu Sallallich with a goalline clearance after Marcos Tavares’ superb surging run had opened up their defence.
That prompted a much better spell for the hosts, who were suddenly showing more intent.
Sallalich was looking the most likely to score, forcing a solid save from Petr Cech – in for Thibaut Courtois – with an effort from range.
The visitors came back into the game as the half wore on, the ever-dangerous Hazard forcing Handanovic into a smart stop.
Chelsea would lose momentum after half-time, however, as Maribor took a surprise lead.
Ibraimi grabbed the goal, superbly side-footing beyond a helpless Cech from just outside the area after Zouma’s clearing header had inadvertently picked out the winger.
Mourinho had introduced Costa at the interval in an attempt to kick-start his team’s performance.
However, the Spain striker struck his first chance wildly over the crossbar as Chelsea failed to find an immediate response.
Chelsea were almost two behind in the 59th minute, Luka Zahovic hitting over with the goal gaping after being picked out by Mitja Viler’s excellent cross.
Scare
Perhaps awoken by that scare, they roared back impressively with Oscar curling an effort narrowly wide.
And Chelsea got back on level terms in the 73rd minute when Matic tapped in on the line after John Terry had flicked on Oscar’s corner.
The London club should have gone ahead not long after, with Hazard denied by Handanovic when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
And further frustration was to come for Mourinho, as Hazard spurned a golden opportunity from 12 yards after being brought down in the area by Viler.
In Groub G’s other fixture, second-placed Schalke were felled 4 -2 away to Sporting Lisbon.
The German club had taken an early lead though a Slimani own-goal, but the hosts hit back through Sarr, Nascimento and Nani to make i 3- 1 with 18 minutes to go.
Aogo gave the Bundesliga side some late hope as he narrowed the deficit, but Slimani cancelled out his goal at the wrong end by putting the result beyond all doubt.
Despite neither side winning, Chelsea and Schalke still occupy the qualification spots in Group G, though the Germans’ advantage over Sporting is down to a single point.
Hazard penalty miss gives Maribor a point from Chelsea clash
EDEN HAZARD’S LATE penalty miss meant Chelsea had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Maribor in the UEFA Champions League.
Hazard’s spot-kick was saved by Jasmin Handanovic with five minutes remaining at Ljudski vrt on as the Slovenian side – who were hammered 6-0 at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago - held on for an unlikely point.
The Belgian appeared certain to secure a come-from-behind win after Nemanja Matic had cancelled out Agim Ibraimi’s superb 50th-minute opener.
But Handanovic proved the hero as Maribor secured a share of the spoils.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea headed into the encounter knowing victory could secure their place in the last 16 should Sporting fail to beat Schalke.
However, the Portuguese side had few difficulties brushing aside Roberto Di Matteo’s men 4-2 in Lisbon as Chelsea toiled – although the Premier League leaders remain three points clear at the summit of Group G with two games remaining.
Chelsea began strongly and almost took the lead in the eighth minute, Kurt Zouma heading narrowly wide after being picked out by Cesc Fabregas’ clever cross.
Didier Drogba, selected in order to give the injury-plagued Diego Costa a rest, was next to threaten when he saw his deflected effort force a good reaction save from Handanovic.
That prompted a much better spell for the hosts, who were suddenly showing more intent.
Sallalich was looking the most likely to score, forcing a solid save from Petr Cech – in for Thibaut Courtois – with an effort from range.
The visitors came back into the game as the half wore on, the ever-dangerous Hazard forcing Handanovic into a smart stop.
Chelsea would lose momentum after half-time, however, as Maribor took a surprise lead.
Ibraimi grabbed the goal, superbly side-footing beyond a helpless Cech from just outside the area after Zouma’s clearing header had inadvertently picked out the winger.
Mourinho had introduced Costa at the interval in an attempt to kick-start his team’s performance.
However, the Spain striker struck his first chance wildly over the crossbar as Chelsea failed to find an immediate response.
Chelsea were almost two behind in the 59th minute, Luka Zahovic hitting over with the goal gaping after being picked out by Mitja Viler’s excellent cross.
Scare
Perhaps awoken by that scare, they roared back impressively with Oscar curling an effort narrowly wide.
And Chelsea got back on level terms in the 73rd minute when Matic tapped in on the line after John Terry had flicked on Oscar’s corner.
The London club should have gone ahead not long after, with Hazard denied by Handanovic when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
And further frustration was to come for Mourinho, as Hazard spurned a golden opportunity from 12 yards after being brought down in the area by Viler.
In Groub G’s other fixture, second-placed Schalke were felled 4 -2 away to Sporting Lisbon.
The German club had taken an early lead though a Slimani own-goal, but the hosts hit back through Sarr, Nascimento and Nani to make i 3- 1 with 18 minutes to go.
Aogo gave the Bundesliga side some late hope as he narrowed the deficit, but Slimani cancelled out his goal at the wrong end by putting the result beyond all doubt.
Despite neither side winning, Chelsea and Schalke still occupy the qualification spots in Group G, though the Germans’ advantage over Sporting is down to a single point.
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