Chelsea could only gain a draw from their trip to Galatasaray after they faded from a promising start before being forced to hang on for a draw.
Galatasaray vs. Chelsea: Final score 1-1, Chedjou equalizer denies Blues a win
Aurelien Chedjou equalized to leave Chelsea to hang on for a draw after Fernando Torres had put the Blues ahead at Galatasaray.
Michael Regan
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Fernando Torres put the Blues ahead early, but Galatasaray rallied and Aurelien Chedjou fired in an equalizer in the second half.
The match got off to a fast start as Willian almost put Chelsea ahead straight away -- Fernando Muslera made a terrible error coming out of goal, slicing his clearance right to the feet of the Brazilian, but recovered just in time to tip his lofted shot away.
That proved be a harbinger for Chelsea putting themselves in front just afterwards, although the goal was more down to Emmanuel Eboue's error. Cesar Azpilicueta got down the left far too easily and centered the ball past Muslera and to Fernando Torres, who swept it home to give the Blues the lead.
Mancini was then forced into an early change, sending on Yekta Kurtulus to switch to a 4-5-1 formation and stem the flow of Chelsea attacks, a move that seemed to bear some fruit. Alex Telles then went close for the hosts, going on an excellent run in midfield before hammering a shot at Petr Cech’s far post which he had to do well to keep out.
There then followed controversy as Burak Yilmaz had the ball in the net from a quick Galatasaray throw-in, only for the goal to be disallowed as the whistle had gone owing to there being two balls on the pitch after John Terry withheld one -- a fact that was not well appreciated by the home fans.
Galatasaray came out stronger in the second half, but Torres still should've doubled his and Chelsea's tally when he was sent free by Eden Hazard -- unfortunately for the striker, he allowed the hosts' defenders to catch up with him and do just enough to put him off, with Muslera saving his effort.
Chelsea then had a scare as their old hero Didier Drogba headed on a free-kick for Selcuk Inan, but the Cim Bom captain somehow contrived to hit the post when presented with the easiest of chances. It was a huge wakeup call for Chelsea, who were flagging, but it wasn't heeded. Just afterwards, the hosts found their equalizer as some shocking marking allowed Aurelien Chedjou to volley in a corner and make it 1-1.
Galatasaray had the better of the game thereafter, but could not force another real clear chance as Chelsea did their best to keep the ball and run down the clock. Telles came close again after good work from Eboue, but Petr Cech was once again able to tip his shot away.
In the end, Chelsea successfully hung on for a result which makes them clear favorites to progress after the second round at Stamford Bridge -- it could have been an emphatic victory for José Mourinho’s men, but he will not be too disappointed.
Galatasaray: Muslera, Alex, Balta (Kaya 46'), Chedjou, Eboue, Sneijder, Inan, Felipe Melo, Hajrovic (Kurtulus 31'), Drogba, Burak Yilmaz.
Goals: Chedjou 65’
Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic, Hazard, Lampard, Ramires, Willian, Schurrle (Mikel 67’), Torres (Eto’o 68’).
Goals: Torres 9’
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