shakhtar 1-2

Independent:

Shakhtar Donetsk’s boys from Brazil deal major blow to Chelsea
Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Chelsea 1

Simon Johnson Donbass Arena

Chelsea are facing a battle to avoid becoming the first holders of the Champions League to fail to progress beyond the group stages after a woeful defeat in Donetsk.

Roberto Di Matteo's side are in danger of creating the wrong kind of history, having lifted the trophy in May, as they were replaced at the top of Group E by their talented opponents.
As it turned out, captain John Terry's presence on the pitch was the least of Chelsea's problems, although they were given an unlikely boost by Juventus's failure to win in Nordsjaellend, which keeps the Italian side one point behind.
But Chelsea's next two games are against Shakthar at home and Juventus away and, on this form, they are in a perilous position.
Chelsea knew before kick-off that they faced a difficult task to keep Terry or Frank Lampard from making the headlines no matter what took place.It was inevitable that their veterans would make an impact given the significance of the occasion for both of them, albeit for altogether different reasons. Terry was making his first appearance since deciding not to appeal his four-game ban from the Football Association for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. This was supposed to be a happier outing for Lampard though as he became the first Chelsea player to reach 100 games in European competition.
Managers don't normally change a winning side, but Di Matteo turned to his two most senior players to cope with the considerable challenge Shakhtar were always going to provide and dropped Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill from the side that won convincingly at Tottenham.
This was supposed to be Terry's chance to make a more positive contribution to Chelsea's season after all the turmoil of recent weeks, while Lampard was hoping to use his personal landmark to also show he can still be part of this exciting new side.
Shakhtar clearly hadn't read the script though and unfortunately both of them made a telling negative contribution to the opening goal inside three minutes.
Lampard was the guilty party to begin with, giving the ball away carelessly to Darijo Srna. As Shakhtar advanced towards Petr Cech's goal, Luiz Adriano's shot rebounded off the outstretched arm perfectly into Brazilian midfielder Alex Teixeira's path and he calmly found the net.
Given that the home side came into the game boasting an unbeaten record lasting 28 games, it was a terrible possible start.
Chelsea struggled to regain their composure, with Tottenham target Willian sending a dangerous shot just over. Lampard then pulled up lame with less than 18 minutes on the clock. Hazard replaced him, but the change in personnel didn't lead to an improvement in what was arguably Chelsea's worst opening 45 minutes in a game this season, although Terry did start to make some telling interventions.
But for Cech, the visitors could have been out of the game before the break as the calamitous defending continued in front of him.
The goalkeeper tipped Henrik Mkhitaryan's shot over the bar and also had to be at his best to stop Tomas Hubschman's shot from close range, following Chelsea's woeful attempts to clear from a corner. There was little room for encouragement going forward for the visitors as Fernando Torres, who has yet to score in the competition this season, was ineffective.
Andrei Pyatov had little to trouble him in the Shakhtar goal and Chelsea's first-half showing was summed up when David Luiz's attempt to make a clever header back towards Cech went out for a corner.
The question was whether Di Matteo could say anything during the interval to inspire a dramatic change. Unfortunately the Italian was quickly given an answer in the negative.
If the sight of the hapless Torres seeing his shot rebound to safety off his own team-mate Oscar wasn't bad enough, Chelsea conspired to contribute to their downfall once again.
Hazard's pass was easily cut out by Adriano who was able to run unopposed towards the area before setting up Brazilian forward Fernandinho to double the home side's advantage seven minutes after the break.
Such was their dominance, home supporters took time out from watching the game to pose for photographs for a souvenir of an historic victory.
Even the sight of Pyatov making routine saves from Hazard and Ramires could not put a dent in the the players' confidence and it seemed a question of how many more goals.
Chances continued to come their way as Chelsea pressed forward and left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack, but Shakhtar almost paid the price for being wasteful in front of goal as Oscar swept the ball into the net with two minutes remaining to spark hope of an undeserved draw.
But as expected it proved too little too late and the holders know they are now under pressure, but they only have themselves to blame.

Booked: Shakhtar Donetsk Kucher, Hubschman.
Chelsea Cole, Luiz.
Man of the match Fernandinho. Match rating 7/10.

Possession: Shakhtar Donetsk 54%. Chelsea 46%.
Attempts on target: Shakhtar Donetsk 13. Chelsea 11.

Referee D Skomina (Slvn).
Attendance 50,000.

Luiz: it was a shocking performance
David Luiz spoke of his shock after Chelsea capitulated in the Donbass Arena last night. A late Oscar goal gave the final score a distorted slant for Roberto Di Matteo’s men, who were outclassed from start to finish.
“I am shocked by the performance,” said Luiz. “We didn’t play well. It was a shock performance. The second half was a shock again. Congratulations to the Shakhtar players. Sometimes you cannot play well. We need to think of the next game. Chelsea is a big club and we need a win.
“I think that Shakhtar played so intelligently and didn’t give us the opportunity to just win the game. Only in the last 15 minutes did we press.”


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Guardian:

Shakhtar Donetsk's slick double puts a dent in Chelsea's hopes

David Hytner at the Donbass Arena

Shakhtar Donetsk's Alex Teixeira, third left, celebrates after scoring the early opener against Chelsea during their Champions League Group E match. Photograph: Gleb Garanich/Reuters
The return of John Terry to the Chelsea team and captaincy had been steeped in controversy, coming as it did while he served his four-match domestic suspension for the racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand. As this vital Champions League tie emphatically got away from him and the defending champions, it seemed almost appropriate that a Shakhtar Donetsk player called Fernandinho should not only star but conjure up the decisive blow.
There had been bitter irony at the outset when Terry saw the ball rear up against the captain's armband, which was embroidered with an anti-racism slogan, to drop for Alex Teixeira to score Shakhtar's opening goal. Terry played well, making characteristically brave interventions, but his team were second best in all areas and once Fernandinho had punished the substitute Eden Hazard to score their second it appeared to be a question only of the victory margin.
The surprise at the end was how narrow it was. Shakhtar missed chances, Petr Cech distinguished himself in the Chelsea goal and it was Oscar, stealing in to meet Branislav Ivanovic's cross, who reduced the deficit and sparked brief alarm inside a jubilant stadium. An outlandish escape for the visitors, however, was not to happen.
Roberto Di Matteo, the Chelsea manager, had suggested that this was a journey into the unknown as, despite Shakhtar's 100% domestic record from 12 games this season, little was known about the strength of the Ukrainian league. The home team's performance represented an exhilarating statement while Chelsea, so exciting during their encouraging start to the season, suffered a jolting blow.
The consolation, though, which was significant, arrived in Denmark, where Juventus could only draw 1-1 against Nordsjaelland, the weakest team in the group. Chelsea remain in second place although a win for Shakhtar at Stamford Bridge next month would see the Ukrainian side through.
It felt as though all eyes were on Terry at the start and even the TV director who supplied the cut for the stadium's big screen focused on him during the pre-match build-up, when Uefa's anti-racism message was read out over the Tannoy. There were not even three minutes on the clock when the captain tasted misfortune, too, his block-tackle on Luiz Adriano seeing the ball hit an arm and fall kindly for Teixeira, who calmly shot low into the far corner.
There was a swagger about the home team's football with their technique, comfort on the ball and threat most pronounced in the three-man line behind Adriano, where Teixeira and Willian flanked the Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Willian was magnificent and showed Chelsea, who have tried to sign him, why Shakhtar value him at a prohibitive price for most. The Blues, who lost Frank Lampard to an 18th-minute muscle pull and had Ashley Cole needlessly booked, saw their frustration encapsulated in Fernando Torres' performance.
The team sprang him into good areas in the first half but the Spaniard failed to fashion shooting opportunities and early in the second period his touch and decision-making completely broke down. It seemed a relief when he was substituted.
But for Cech, the game might have been over at half-time. He tipped over Mkhitaryan's drive following Willian's lovely flick and after a Dario Srna corner had led to chaos and Oscar had failed to clear, the goalkeeper thwarted Tomas Hubschman brilliantly at point-blank range. Chelsea could also be grateful to Terry for a couple of vital interventions.
Fernandinho was an all-action presence, snapping at Chelsea heels and helping to set Shakhtar's tempo with his intelligent distribution. He started and finished the move for the second goal, crashing into Hazard to win the ball on halfway and driving forward on the break. The Belgian was crestfallen, Chelsea horribly exposed. Fernandinho swapped passes with Adriano, taking the return smoothly despite stretching, and hit his shot inside the far post.
Chelsea had their moments in the second half. Ramires exploded a shot from distance, Hazard nearly exposed Olexandr Kucher – who fouled him and was booked – Mikel John Obi pivoted and lifted over and Hazard, having wriggled through, was denied a one-on-one by Andriy Pyatov. Yet it was Shakhtar's night.
Fernandinho, Mkhitaryan and Hubschman will ask themselves how they did not add to the lead, although Cech might help them explain. For Chelsea the tests continue to come. It is the potentially defining Premier League fixture at home to Manchester United on Sunday. They must regroup.


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Telegraph:

Chelsea's hopes of defending Champions League title suffer huge blow after defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk
By John Percy, Donbass Arena

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will celebrate his 46th birthday with the very real prospect of Chelsea becoming the first ever Champions League holders to be dumped out at the group stage, after a chastening experience near the Russian border.
The challenge of breaching Shakhtar’s Donbass Arena fortress proved a bridge too far for Chelsea and a returning John Terry, and despite their effervescent start to the season manager Roberto Di Matteo is now facing a crucial three games in his bid to defend the trophy.
Juventus’s surprise draw in Denmark against FC Nordsjaelland ensured Di Matteo is not etching his name into the competition’s history books for the wrong reasons just yet, but their opponents here certainly sent out an ominous message, extending their incredible run at home with a result that takes them to the top of Group E.
They have not lost here since last November and, but for the defiance of Petr Cech, could have been savouring an even more resounding victory.
Chelsea were buried in Ukraine’s mining country, like all of the other English teams before them.
Terry’s return was a mere footnote and a painful experience for the Chelsea captain, who wore an anti-racism armband days after being heavily fined by both his club and the Football Association for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
He has proven adept at producing colossal performances during times of adversity so many times in the past, but the club’s heartbeat could not revive his team-mates here as the Ukrainian league leaders made the champions look alarmingly ordinary at times. Fernando Torres, in particular, suffered a difficult examination under pressure and was replaced with 20 minutes remaining, with the game all but out of reach.
It was not how Abramovich would have wanted to remember his birthday today.
“The best birthday gift we can give Roman now is a victory in the Premier League against Manchester United on Sunday,” said Di Matteo.
While the game against United will be the main focus as Chelsea arrived back in England this morning, the rematch against Shakhtar next month, and the trip to Turin a fortnight later, suddenly takes on even more significance.
The next four weeks will define the direction of Chelsea’s season, with two games against United and home dates with both Liverpool and Manchester City. It was crucial to maintain the momentum but they hit turbulence here at a venue that has proven impregnable for nearly a year.
Shakhtar have not lost a game in any competition since a Champions League defeat to Porto last November and the scent of blood was in the nostrils of a boisterous home support. There is a winning mentality coursing through this team and they were ahead on three minutes. Terry was heavily involved, with Luiz Adriano’s shot taking a deflection off the Chelsea defender to fortuitously fall into the path of Alex Teixeira whose finish was clinical.
Chelsea could have been further behind when the outstanding Willian was allowed too much space to advance towards the penalty area but his shot was too high. Frank Lampard, making his 100th European appearance for the club, then added to the English club’s gloom when he limped off with a recurrence of a calf injury, and could be a doubt for the game against United on Sunday. He will have a scan in the next 24 hours.
Both sides were intent on catching each other out on the counter-attack. Torres produced a microcosm of his form over the past 12 months with a foray into enemy territory, appearing to be outmuscled before retrieving possession and bamboozling three defenders with his footwork before his pass was intercepted.
As the home team cleared the danger, Willian delivered an exquisite ball to send Henrikh Mkhitaryan clear but his cross was cut out by Terry. Chelsea simply could not find a solution to nullify the threat of the Brazilian and he was once again influential to tee up Darijo Srna, whose shot was turned over by Cech.
Di Matteo probably does not do the hairdryer treatment but Chelsea’s start to the second period suggested the half-time inquest had been savage. But minutes after Juan Mata had narrowly missed the target, they were further behind and in big trouble.
Eden Hazard, Lampard’s replacement, was caught in possession by Fernandinho and Adriano provided the perfectly-weighted pass back to the midfielder who shot across Cech and into the far corner.
Terry appeared to lose his composure as the game edged away from Chelsea, bundling over the dangerous Adriano near the touchline.
But Cech’s brilliance presented his team with some encouragement and there was temporary hope two minutes from time when Oscar swept in Branislav Ivanovic’s cross from close range.
But there was to be no late fireworks and Chelsea need to produce a fierce response to ensure their dream of retaining the trophy does not fizzle out two days after Bonfire Night, when they meet again at Stamford Bridge.

Match details
Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov, Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat, Fernandinho, Hubschman, Alex Teixeira (Ilsinho 83), Mkhitaryan, Willian (Douglas Costa 88), Luiz Adriano.
Subs (not used): Kanibolotskiy, Stepanenko, Eduardo, Gai, Kryvtsov.
Booked: Hubschman, Kucher.
Goals: Teixeira 3, Fernandinho 52
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic , Luiz , Terry, Cole; Mikel 5, Lampard 5 (Hazard 18), Ramires, Oscar, Mata, Torres (Sturridge 70).
Subs not used: Turnbull (gk), Romeu, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Bertrand.
Booked: Cole, Luiz
Goal: Oscar 88
Att: 50,000


==========================

Times:

 Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Chelsea 1: Shakhtar put Chelsea’s Champions League title defence on back foot


 It was not so much about the man who returned as the defence that was absent as Chelsea were torn apart by Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine last night.
 Daring and devilish, the Ukrainian side were mesmerising and breathless in attack as they left Chelsea’s chances of retaining the trophy in jeopardy. John Terry, interrupting a domestic ban, was powerless.
 Chelsea ground out victories to lift the Champions League last season, stifling the might of Barcelona en route, but they had no answer at the Donbass Arena. Shakhtar had not been beaten in 11 months, but Chelsea were a prized scalp that gives them the advantage in group E.
 Roberto Di Matteo’s side conceded goals at the start of each half, both from sloppy defending, and they were also disrupted when Frank Lampard was substituted, appearing to hold his knee, after 18 minutes. Alex Teixeira took advantage of a deflection off Terry’s arm and Fernandinho capitalised when Eden Hazard lost possession.
 Once again, it was a player who Chelsea had tried to sign who did the damage. Radamel Falcao, the Atlético Madrid striker, embarrassed Chelsea in the European Super Cup in August and this time Willian was influential before being loudly clapped off near the end.
 Mircea Lucescu, his coach, suggested that he should show his worth and he did not disappoint, and with Henrik Mkhitaryan helped to set up 14 attempts on goal before the break. Defeat would have been a whole lot worse had Juventus, who rallied to come from two goals down to draw at Stamford Bridge, not surprisingly drawn 1-1 against Nordsjaelland, in Denmark.
 Chelsea may have to beat Shakhtar in the return match in two weeks, but before that they meet Manchester United twice at home in four days, starting with the Barclays Premier League game on Sunday. Roman Abramovich will not be a happy man when he celebrates his 46th birthday today.
 Rinat Akhmetov, his counterpart at Shakhtar, has had a similar galvanising effect at his club in 16 years at the helm — and the Ukrainian is £2.5 billion richer, at £10 billion, according to Forbes, the American magazine. Akhmetov has bought and brought unprecedented domestic success, but like Abramovich, his ambition is for his team to become European champions.
 Shakhtar’s best Champions League performance came two seasons ago, when they reached the quarter-finals, and this team look equipped to match that. From the zestful and quick-tempo way that Shakhtar set about the opening half, they were conceding experience and reputation but certainly not confidence.
 Terry was again under the spotlight — but for football reasons as he rescued his side with several last-ditch blocks in a torrid first half. No one could doubt his determination, wearing a Unite Against Racism armband as part of a Uefa initiative, one year to the day since the incident at Loftus Road led to him serving a four-match domestic ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
 He was also fined £220,000 by the FA’s Independent Regulatory Panel, although the governing body said yesterday that the sanctions for racial abuse will be reviewed. Some players have felt that Terry escaped lightly compared with Luis Suárez, who served an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra last year.
 It might have been forecast that Terry would be involved in Shakhtar taking the lead. Chelsea made a hash of defending a throw-in, inside three minutes, and when David Luiz failed to clear, Luiz Adriano struck a shot that cannoned off Terry’s arm. The ball fell kindly for Teixeira to compose himself and slot into the far corner.
 Shakhtar needed no encouragement to tear forward. Willian showed his worth with three efforts in quick succession. Going off on a mazy run along the penalty area, he fired just over the bar, then dragged the ball inside and curled a shot wide — the selfish option when Razvan Rat was overlapping in space and on goal — and soon after sidefooted at Cech.
 The Chelsea goalkeeper was again called into action to save a scuffed effort from Fernandinho, then Chelsea nearly conceded on the counter-attack.
 Fernando Torres shimmied past a defender, but his cross was cleared and Willian beat John Obi Mikel to slide a precise ball for the marauding Mkhitaryan, but Terry intercepted the danger. Moments later, Terry thrust his head out to block Darijo Srna as he cut in and shot.
 It was relentless and expansive attacking. After a swift interchange, Willian’s chipped pass dissected the defence and Srna’s drive was pushed over the bar by Cech as half-time approached. And still they came.
 From a corner, an unmarked Yaroslav Rakitskiy hit a volley that was blocked in front of goal and Cech saved the resulting shot at point-blank range from Tomas Hubschman. At the end of a breathless half, Willian slotted a perfect pass across goal for Fernandinho to strike, but straight at Cech.
 Chelsea offered little attacking threat. Olexandr Kucher stood firm to block the ball when Torres looked as if he would escape on goal and Hazard, who was rested for the second consecutive European game, was brought on.
 The holders had learnt nothing as they emerged from the dressing room. Hazard, usually so comfortably and astute with the ball, was robbed of possession in the centre circle by Fernandinho, who after taking a return pass from Luiz Adriano, lashed low in the far corner after 52 minutes.
 Chelsea were desperately seeking a foothold in the game as Mikel hooked over from a corner, but they left themselves exposed to being picked off for a third goal. Fernandinho shot wide after receiving a pass from Willian and Mkhitaryan’s drive was tipped over by Cech.
 Cech clung on to another Mkhitaryan effort and Chelsea threatened to make it an interesting finale when Oscar scored with two minutes left after Branislav Ivanovic got around the back of the defence, but that would have been unfair on Shakhtar.

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): A Pyatov — D Srna, O Kucher, Y Rakitskiy, R Rat — Fernandinho, T Hubschman — A Teixeira (sub: Ilsinho, 82min) , H Mkhitaryan, Willian (sub: Douglas, 88)— Luiz Adriano. Substitutes not used: A Kanibolotskiy, T Stepanenko, Eduardo, O Gai, S Kryvtsov. Booked: Kucher.
 Chelsea (4-2-3-1): P Cech — B Ivanovic, David Luiz, J Terry, A Cole — J O Mikel, F Lampard (sub: E Hazard, 18) — Ramires, Oscar, J Mata — F Torres (sub: D Sturridge, 70). Substitutes not used: R Turnbull, O Romeu, G Cahill, C Azpilicueta, R Bertrand. Booked: Cole, David Luiz.
 Referee: D Skomina (Slovenia).


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Mail:

Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Chelsea 1: Bad case of the Blues as holders feel pain in Ukraine
by Martin Samuel

This time there was to be no glorious comeback, no triumph against the odds. Chelsea finally got what the detractors believe has been coming to them in Europe. Outplayed by the better side, they lost. Roberto Di Matteo now knows what it is to be mortal, like the rest.

Shakhtar Donetsk succeeded where many, and better, have failed. They created 21 chances but, unlike Chelsea’s previous adversaries, took enough of those to make it count. And they held firm, even when Oscar’s 88th-minute goal rekindled optimism and memories of heroism from the last Champions League campaign.

Might it be? Could it be? No, not this time it wasn’t. Shakhtar did enough to leave the champions of Europe now contemplating a wholly underwhelming defence of their crown. Exit at the group stage? Chelsea’s demanding proprietor will not like that.

True, Di Matteo’s fortune still held in some small way with Juventus’s draw in Denmark, but qualification hopes rest very much on victory in the return leg against the champions of Ukraine. Fail to win at Stamford Bridge next month and Chelsea will probably require three points as insurance in Turin.

They could need an escape act every bit as spectacular as the ones performed in the Nou Camp and Allianz Arena.

To not even reach the knockout stage would constitute failure considering last season’s acts of superhuman defiance.

We have seen Chelsea out-manoeuvred before, yet still emerge victorious. This was very different. It all caught up with them in Ukraine. Shakhtar were sharper, quicker and quite possibly hungrier, too.

Chelsea had a surplus of lackadaisical players: David Luiz in defence, substitute Eden Hazard, caught in possession for what proved to be the killer second goal from Fernandinho.

The preamble around the match had been dominated by the John Terry race row. The danger facing Chelsea here had almost slipped under the radar.

The sub-plot involved the bitter irony of a man currently serving a domestic ban for racist abuse leading out his team while wearing a captain’s armband with a UEFA-endorsed anti-racist message. Chelsea will pay for the retention of Terry’s leadership services with controversies such as these and many will say it serves them right.
That the ball in the build-up to Shakhtar’s first goal appeared to ricochet off the part of Terry’s arm covered by his precious sloganeering ring of elastic will only add to the deliciousness for some.
Truth be told, however, if Chelsea had four like Terry across the back line they might not be in such  trouble in this tournament: he has forgotten more about handling teams with the quality of Donetsk than many of his team-mates will ever know.

So while English football staggers blind around its political and moral maze, in this corner of Ukraine  the home focus was more refined. Shakhtar played like a team without complications or distractions,  a team at the top of their game,  a team that is making history.

By one method of appraisal this was Shakhtar’s biggest match: the first time the club had played host to the reigning European champions in this, the grandest club tournament.

Mircea Lucescu’s team is embroiled in a furious bout of record-breaking. They have won 21 consecutive top-division matches, scored in 31 consecutive league games and their start this season of 12 straight wins is the best in Ukrainian history.

This is a serious team. Fast on the counter-attack, alert at the back, inventive, incisive, it has the pride of a region putting itself on the map and the flair of its Brazilian axis. The foundation-rocking goal, which came after three minutes, was an entirely Brazilian affair, discounting one unfortunate English limb.The samba connection goes for the defender at fault, too. Luiz was weak again in initially letting Willian go, the Brazilian forcing the ball through to his countryman, Luiz Adriano.

His shot struck Terry’s arm but, while some Shakhtar players appealed, Alex Teixeira played to the whistle and was first to the loose ball, his low shot leaving Petr Cech no chance in Chelsea’s goal. He is an old fox, Lucescu, with 10 domestic titles to his name across three countries — Romania, Turkey and the majority in Ukraine. This is his 10th season at the club.

He has created this Donetsk team’s style and ethos and it was simply too much for Chelsea to handle. Terry was his usual self, but the movement seemed to leave Luiz bamboozled — John Mikel Obi, too — and Willian put in the sort of shift that turns heads. Roman Abramovich’s, usually.

Willian has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for some time and it is not hard to see why. He had two good first-half chances in the space of three minutes and from Shakhtar’s next attack found his captain, Darijo Srna, whose shot was blocked on its way to goal. By Terry, naturally.

The pressure was unrelenting. Chelsea would enjoy a spell that seemed to afford space to breathe  and then Shakhtar would come again, always dangerous, even from set pieces.

In the 38th minute, Henrik Mkhitaryan should have put them two goals clear when he dawdled in a superb position, giving Ashley Cole enough time to put him off and allow a save from Cech. eeks are huge for him.

From a corner, a goalmouth scramble ended with Yaroslav Rakitskiy perilously near to the line forcing another brilliant save. Without Cech, this race would have been run even before half time.

What of the European champions? Not much. Donetsk goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov had to look lively after a nicely weighted pass from Ramires came close to putting Fernando Torres in, but there was precious little penetration.

The most vibrant attack, from Branislav Ivanovic, brought Oscar’s goal, but by then it was too late. The loss of Frank Lampard after 18 minutes was a blow, but one that is increasingly anticipated as age catches up with him.

It impacted on Di Matteo’s desire to keep it tight in midfield but this was no excuse. Luiz Adriano and Mkhitaryan could both have scored in the second half.


With 52 minutes gone, the extended lead established by Shakhtar was fully deserved.

Hazard lost the ball to deep midfielder Fernandinho in the centre circle and Luiz Adriano carried it, Fernandinho now outstripping his run with outstanding attacking instincts. He received a return pass and completed a clinical finish.

It is how Chelsea respond to this that matters now. Sunday brings the visit of Manchester United, buoyed by their fightback against Braga.

Lose that and a season which promised so much changes complexion. So far, Di Matteo has known only the good times with Chelsea: given patience levels at Stamford Bridge, the next four weeks are huge for him.

Donbass Arena match zone - by Matt Barlow

Tired Torres makes little impact

Fernando Torres has started all 14 of Chelsea’s games this season and though he has scored a few goals, he is looking weary and too many promising moves break down on him. As the fixtures become more congested, it will test the idea of carrying one established centre forward in the squad. Chelsea were slicker in attack when Daniel Sturridge came on for the last 20 minutes. Roman Abramovich will surely try to sign a striker in January.

Not a ton of fun for Frank

This was Frank Lampard’s 100th European game for Chelsea, according to UEFA, and he is the club’s first to this milestone. Lampard’s first European game was a 3-0 win against Levski Sofia at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Cup in September 2001, when he scored his first goal for the club. This did not go so well. Chelsea were one down when he hurt his calf and was forced off after 18 minutes.

Willian fit to wear the shirt

Willian, who was one of Shakhtar’s stars, was given a Chelsea shirt by a visiting supporter. The shirt had a question mark on the back, suggesting that although his number would be unknown, we can expect to see him in the blue of Chelsea very soon. Intriguingly the Brazilian, who was a target for Tottenham earlier this year, left the Donbass Arena clutching the shirt.

Medical matters

An unusual media star before the game was Chelsea’s club doctor Paco Biosca, who left Shakhtar for Stamford Bridge last year. Spaniard Biosca, who could be found in the square outside the team hotel or on the touchline doing pre-match television interviews, has reinforced links which are developing between the clubs and Shakhtar players have been to consult with him at Chelsea since his move.

A perfect Champions League arena

It was Chelsea’s first visit to Ukraine and although Donetsk is one of the more distant outposts in the competition it generates a unique match-day atmosphere at Champions League level. The Donbass Arena is simply fabulous. The fans are loud and hi-vis in the bright orange and black colours. The public address man was still yelling the players’ names, two and a half minutes into the game, as fans screamed their approval. Then Alex Teixeira scored. Pandemonium.


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Mirror:

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1
by Martin Lipton
A Shaktar the system: Champions Chelsea outclassed and outplayed in Donetsk

Oscar grabbed a consolation in 2-1 defeat but the scoreline flattered the Blues


Welcome to reality, Roberto. It's not very comfortable, is it?
Chelsea came to the heart of Ukrainian mining territory last night hoping to lay down a statement of Champions League intent.
Instead, they were forced to confront their own limitations, not even the return of John Terry - anti-racism armband and all - able to prevent their most salutary European experience since the horror show in Naples that effectively cost Andre Villas-Boas his job.
Of course, since then, Roberto Di Matteo has conquered Europe, handed Roman Abramovich his Holy Grail and put together a team that gives the Russian the style and verve he wants.
But Abramovich would not have expected to start his 46th birthday celebrations today by watching his expensively-assembled side given a footballing lesson by wily old Mircea Lucescu's version of the beautiful game.
When the only crumb of comfort is a late goal that could be vital in the head to head calculations in December and a surprise result elsewhere, it can only be described as a bad night.
In fact, it was worse than that, at times verging on the brink of an out and out thumping - and unlike against Atletico Madrid in Monaco, when it actually mattered.
Chelsea chose not to meet Shaktar's £25million asking price for Willian last January - and here the Brazilian orchestrated his revenge.
He may have a perm visible from space, but Chelsea never knew where he was, a superb blend of precision, pace and subtlety standing out as Chelsea's much-vaunted attacking game simply failed to materialise.
At times it could have been utter humiliation, even if Oscar's late strike might just look more important by the first week of December.
But as Fernando Torres went missing in action once again, lacking the desire and bravery required when the half-chances came his way, Chelsea were playing with virtually a man short.
This was always going to be a game for stout hearts, courage and determination. Donetsk's run of 21 straight wins in the Ukrainian league is not a fluke.
Yet from the third minute, when David Luiz failed to do his duty - how often have we said that - and deal with a throw-in across the front of the Blues box, it all unravelled far too easily.
Terry, back as captain before he serves the remaining three matches of his four-game ban, tried to block Luis Adriano's shot but the ball fell perfectly for another of Shakhtar's Brazilians, Alex Teixeira, to fire across Petr Cech.
Cech could not be blamed. Indeed, with Oscar, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard - who replaced the limping Frank Lampard, out of Sunday's showdown with Manchester United, when aggravating his calf problem after just 18 minutes - suddenly looking mortal, without the keeper it would have been all over before the interval.
Terry, too, was a one-man defence at times, as Donetsk's lightning breaks tore huge holes on the counter.
Even so, had Cech not clawed away a rising drive by Armenian Henrik Mkhitaryan and then somehow turned aside a point-blank effort by fellow-Czech Tomas Hubschman after a dreadful half-clearance by Oscar, they would have been dead and buried by half-time.
In the event, they were seven minutes after the restart.
Hazard was more worried about the ankle he had just turned when he was caught in possession in the centre-circle by Fernandinho.
The punishment was instant and severe, Luis Adriano driving to the edge of the box, committing both Luiz and Terry before slipping to his right where Fernandinho's finish was as accurate and emphatic as his fellow Brazilian had been earlier.
It could have been worse, too, Cech denying Mkhitaryan once again, Fernandinho twice a couple of yards wide from the edge of the box, anxiety enveloping Chelsea every time Willian got on the ball and his colleagues sprinted into dangerous areas.
Hazard almost danced his way through, Andriy Pyatov making his first serious save but even then Hubschman somehow missed from three yards as the bal dribbled wide off his shin.
By this time Torres had been put out of his misery, with replacement Daniel Sturridge showing far more.
The substitute's run was carried on by Branislav Ivanovic, who teed up Oscar to convert with two minutes left, although an undeserved equaliser never seemed likely to materialise.
Only Juventus' shock draw with Nordsjaelland gave Chelsea anything to smile about.
And with United now looming, the doubts will rise. History shows us how swiftly an "October surprise" for Chelsea can turn into a tailspin.


========================================

Sun:

Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Chelsea 1


By ROB BEASLEY

NOW Chelsea know why it is so difficult to defend the Champions League crown.
No team has ever managed it.
And after this mauling, no one will be surprised if the Blues fail, too.
But it would be a huge shock if the reigning champions did not make it through the group stages.
That has never happened to the holders before either — it could now.
Shakhtar Donetsk are now runaway leaders in Group E.
Chelsea and Juventus trail them with the Blues just one point ahead of the Italian giants but with a trip to Turin to come.
That is why the Blues needed some sort of result here.
But it very quickly became clear that was out of the question.
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo had warned before kick-off of the real and present danger Shakhtar posed to the reigning champions. He knew they were a team to be feared in Ukraine.
But even he must have believed that his Premier League leaders would hold firm for more than three minutes.
They didn’t.

The Blues were blitzed by a storming start from Shakhtar and were in danger of being swamped during an astonishing early onslaught.
Skipper John Terry returned, as expected, but that did not help much.
Luiz Adriano’s early shot cannoned off him and on to Alex Teixeira who swept home.
It was a terrible start but it could have been even bleaker if Willian had not blazed wildly over the bar with the visitors again exposed.
More woe quickly followed as Frank Lampard, making a record 100th European appearance for Chelsea, limped out of the frantic action after just 18 minutes.
It is feared the midfielder has suffered a recurrence of his calf problem and he will have a scan today.
Lampard had been a surprise inclusion ahead of Eden Hazard but the Belgian was soon back alongside Oscar and Juan Mata in Chelsea’s much-vaunted attacking midfield trio.
Here at the Donbass Arena they spent more time heading back towards their own goal than they did attacking.
Willian was to the fore for the home side but luckily for Chelsea his early efforts were wayward.
He pinged one shot wide and hitting another straight at keeper Petr Cech.
The Londoners had another let-off when Fernando Torres dribbled in to the Shakhtar box, saw his cross blocked and then watched the Ukrainians counter-attack aggressively.
Willian left John Obi Mikel for dead before releasing Henrik Mkhitaryan but Terry cut out the cross with Darijo Srna waiting in the middle.
Centre-back Terry then blocked from Srna before saves by Cech from Mkhitaryan and Fernandinho.
But the brilliant keeper’s best stop came five minutes before the break — a point-blank save from Tomas Hubschman to keep his team in it.
The half-time score line did not tell the real story.
And any hopes of a Chelsea improvement after the interval were quickly swept away.
Shakhtar have not lost at home for 11 months and you can see why.
Immediately they were on the attack, pushing Chelsea’s backs to the wall yet again.
Blues could not cope. But the depressing thing was that the home side’s second came after Chelsea gifted them possession.
This season we have watched the Stamford Bridge side swagger their way through matches.
A joy to watch with the ball at their feet. But here one of their early-season stars, £32million man Hazard, was caught trying to be clever in his own half.
He was duly punished for his over-elaborate play.
The Belgian tried a feint and trick to escape the attentions of Adriano but only succeeded in giving him possession.
A quick surge forward then pass to Fernandinho from the striker and Chelsea were deeper in trouble as the midfielder’s shot flew beyond Cech into the bottom corner.
Chelsea stirred briefly with Hazard and then midfielder Ramires testing home keeper Andriy Pyatov.
But Shakhtar were soon sweeping forward again, Fernandinho firing wide with the champions again exposed.
The brilliance of their attacks only amplified the shortcomings of Chelsea’s forwards, especially a hopelessly out of touch Torres.
No wonder he made way for Daniel Sturridge midway through the second period. It was a big ask for him to turn it around though.
The odds were more in favour of a rout, but somehow Chelsea avoided utter humiliation.
Mainly because of a superb goalkeeping display from Cech.
Two superb back-to-back saves to keep out strikes from Mkhitaryan helped keep it respectable.
Oscar’s 88th-minute side-footer made the scoreline respectable but it was no real consolation.
It was a night on which England’s finest were overwhelmed.

DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN — CECH (CHELSEA)
CHELSEA: Cech 9, Ivanovic 6, Terry 6, Luiz 6, Cole 6, Oscar 6, Ramires 6, Mikel 6, Lampard 3, Mata 6, Torres 5. Subs: Hazard (Lampard 18) 5, Sturridge (Torres 70) 5.


=======================

Express:

SHAKHTAR DONETSK 2 - CHELSEA 1: BRAZILIAN BOYS GIVE CHELSEA SHAKE-UP
By Tony Paskin

CHELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo claimed this week his team were on the right road, but last night they hit a road block in the shape of a superbly organised Shakhtar outfit.
The Blues had hardly got out of first gear when they went a goal down after just three minutes and early in the second-half they were 2-0 down, as Shakhtar put their foot on the accelerator.
Only a late goal from Brazilian Oscar gave the champions, outplayed for much of the game, some respectability.
Skipper John Terry wore the anti-racism message on his left arm last night – and it was that limb that helped super Shakhtar go ahead.
Make no mistake, the Ukrainians are a cracking good side and their record run of 21 straight domestic wins was easy to understand after this performance.
They made Premier League leaders Chelsea suffer with a powerhouse display of attacking football that suggested they have what it takes to maybe even win the Champions League, never mind qualify from Group E.

Cole was booked for dissent after complaining about Torres being penalised for jumping
And it also pressed home hard to Di Matteo the huge challenge he faces if he is to lead the club to back-to-back Champions League triumphs.
It must have seemed a nice change for Terry, playing four days after serving his four-match domestic ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, not to be booed every time he touched the ball, ditto Ashley Cole.
But the atmosphere at the Donbass Arena was lively to say the least, especially in the third minute when Shakhtar went ahead and it was Terry who accidentally contributed to their goal. After a dozy prod by David Luiz, Luiz Adriano was able to fire off a shot deflected off the skipper’s left arm –- which has the band stating ‘Unite Against Racism’ on it – straight into the path of Alex Teixeira.

He was left with the comparatively simple task of driving a right-foot shot through the legs of Cole across Petr Cech.
Oscar had a speculative shot on goal from 20 yards, which Andriy Pyatov collected with little fuss.
Yaroslav Rakitskiy was not impressed by a late challenge by Fernando Torres, brushing away the Spaniard as he apologised.
Olexandr Kucher then tackled the Chelsea No9 as he tried to burst through on goal.
Frank Lampard, playing in his 100th game in Europe for Chelsea, the first Blues player to reach the milestone, came in last night for Eden Hazard, with Terry replacing Gary Cahill to make two changes from the side who maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-2 win at Tottenham on Saturday.
Willian, who has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, was, worryingly for Di Matteo, allowed to cut in and fire a fierce shot over in the 16th minute.
Straight after, Lampard’s night ended when he looked to suffer an injury to his right leg. He was replaced by Hazard.
Branislav Ivanovic deflected another Willian shot for a corner as Donetsk opened the Blues up with ease.
Cole was booked for dissent after complaining about Torres being penalised for jumping.
Chelsea went 2-0 down in the 52nd minute. The excellent Fernandinho dispossessed Hazard and was away. Playing in Adriano he took a return ball and fired across Cech right to left, much in the same way Teixeira had. Torres felt he deserved a penalty in the 61st minute, claiming Darijo Srna had impeded him as he jumped for a ball.
It was to prove the last act of a miserable night for the £50million man, who was deservedly hauled off by Di Matteo, who then sent on Daniel Sturridge.
But Chelsea pulled it back to 2-1 when Ivanovic’s low cross into the box was swept home by Oscar in the dying minutes.

Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Hubschman, Fernandinho; Teixeira (Ilsinho 82),Mkhitaryan, Willian (Douglas Costa 88); Luiz Adriano. Booked: Kucher, Hubschman. Goals: Teixeira 3, Fernandinho 52.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole; Oscar, Ramires; Mikel, Lampard (Hazard 18), Mata; Torres (Sturridge 70). Booked: Cole, Luiz. Goal: Oscar 88.

Referee: D Skomina (Slovenia).


=====================

Star:

SHAKHTAR DONETSK 2 - CHELSEA 1: SHAK, RATTLE AND ROLLED!

By David Woods

JOHN TERRY wore the anti-racism message on his left arm last night – and it was that limb which helped super Shakhtar on the way to victory.
Make no mistake, the Ukrainian team are a cracking side and their record run of 21 straight domestic wins was easy to understand after this performance.
They made the Premier League leaders suffer with a powerhouse display that suggested they may even have what it takes to win the Champions League, never mind qualify from Group E.
It also pressed home hard to Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo the huge challenge he faces if he is to lead the club to back-to-back Euro triumphs.
Oscar’s late strike made no difference after goals early in each half from Alex Teixeira and Fernandinho.
It must have seemed a nice change for Terry, playing four days after starting his four-match domestic ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, not to be booed every time he touched the ball, ditto Ashley Cole.
But the atmosphere at the Donbass Arena was lively, especially in the third minute as Shakhtar went ahead when it was Terry who, accidentally, contributed to their goal.
After a dozy David Luiz prod, Luiz Adriano was able to fire off a shot which deflected off the skipper’s left arm – bearing the band stating ‘Unite Against Racism’ – straight into the path of Teixeira.
He was left with the comparatively simple task of driving a right-foot shot through the legs of Cole and across Petr Cech.
Oscar had a speculative shot on goal from 20 yards but Andriy Pyatov collected with little fuss.
Yaroslav Rakitskiy was not impressed by a late challenge by Fernando Torres, brushing away the Spaniard as he apologised. Olexandr Kucher then tackled the No.9 as he tried to burst through on goal.
Frank Lampard came into the side last night for Eden Hazard to play his 100th game in Europe, the first Chelsea player to reach the milestone.
Terry replaced Gary Cahill to make two changes from the side which maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-2 win at Tottenham on Saturday.
Willian, who has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, was allowed to cut in and fire a fierce shot over in the 16th minute.
Straight afterwards Lampard’s night ended when he suffered an injury to his right leg and was replaced by Hazard.
Branislav Ivanovic deflected another Willian shot for a corner as Donetsk opened the Blues up with ease.
Ashley Cole was booked for dissent after complaining about Torres being penalised for jumping with keeper Andriy Pyatov in the 22nd minute. Soon after Willian tried to chip Cech, but could not get enough lift on his effort.
Torres was close to getting on to a Ramires through ball but after he gifted back possession Donetsk broke and only a Terry interception stopped Adriano.
Terry also headed away a powerful drive from Darijo Srna.
Mkhitaryan turned and shot from 25 yards as Shakhtar continued to shine.
Cech denied Mkhitaryan again with a fine flying save after fine build-up play involving Fernandinho. Then Terry blocked as Fernandinho tried a shot.
Another corner saw Cech pull off a stunning save from Tomas Hubschman after Oscar failed to clear.
Fernandinho made it easier for Cech by curling straight into his body as he found another gap to exploit.
Torres managed a weak sidefoot on target from an Ivanovic cross but there was little respite for Chelsea as the Ukraine side continued to dominate.
Terry took over where he left off in the second half with a telling tackle on Willian.
Juan Mata shot over with his left foot after a snappy Chelsea move which saw Hazard play him in.
But the champions went two down in the 52nd minute. The excellent Fernandinho dispossessed Hazard and was away.
Playing in Adriano he took a return ball and fired across Cech right to left, much in the same way Teixeira had.
Torres felt he deserved a penalty in the 61st minute, claiming Srna had impeded him as he jumped for a ball.
It was to prove the last act of a miserable night for the £50m man, who was deservedly hauled off by Di Matteo and replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge was involved in the Chelsea goal after 88 minutes.
When he went down under a challenge near the right corner flag, Ivanovic collected the loose ball and crossed for Oscar’s strike from close range.