Defending European champions Chelsea drew level with Shakhtar Donetsk at the top of Group E after defeating the plucky Ukrainian side 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
They needed some luck though, through some comic goalkeeping and having the ability to show resilience to steal all three points through a stoppage time winner from Victor Moses.
One individual who hasn’t had a great degree of good luck since his £50m move from Liverpool in January 2011 has been Fernando Torres.
Fortune favours Torres
The Spaniard (pictured) has never really settled in London and was recently the victim of a scandalous red card at home to Manchester United, when he received a second booking for supposed simulation.
Five minutes in on Wednesday night and his fortune turned for once.
Having just failed to get on the end of Oscar’s cross, he was clever enough to charge down Andriy Pyatov’s attempted clearance.
The ball rebounded off the fortunate striker into the net. While Pyatov will have preferred the ground to swallow him up, Torres was just relieved to get a lucky break for a change.
For much of the game, Shakhtar showed no fear and largely were in control.
Dangerous Brazilian Willian increased his price tag in the January transfer window with two goals, the first coming just four minutes after the Chelsea opener.
He then drew the visitors’ level early in the second half for the second time, after another Pyatov howler had allowed Oscar to chip him from distance on the stroke of the interval.
Defensive concerns
Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo admitted that the defence needs to tighten up in coming matches, especially with games against Liverpool and Manchester City on the horizon.
He said in the post-match press conference: “The fact we couldn’t hold onto the lead twice worked against us.
“We need to work on closing out games. You look at the goals. We’ve got a lot of players back, so it’s not like we were outnumbered, but we certainly need to work on the automatisms of our defensive organisation.”
The Italian will be aware that his side have now conceded 14 goals in their last six games in all competitions and have no clean sheet since defeating FC Nordsjaelland in this competition on 2 October.
In the end lady luck shined on the Blues, when Moses powered in a stoppage time header for his first goal in Europe since his summer move from Wigan Athletic.
With Juventus recording a big victory on Wednesday, Di Matteo will be aware that it is still all to play for in this group.
Defeat in Turin in two weeks time could spell the end of the champions defence even before the real action begins in the New Year.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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