Athletico Madrid 2-1

Telegraph:

Atletico Madrid 1 Chelsea 2: Eden Hazard steals the show to ruin Wanda Metropolitano's opening night

Jason Burt

The deliciousness; the absolute lip-smacking delight of this for Chelsea who not only dominated and defeated one of Europe’s big beasts on their own turf but did so with goals from Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi. With Diego Costa in the stands, having completed his acrimonious return to  Atlético  Madrid after going on strike at Chelsea, it was the man who was signed to replace him and the man deemed not good enough to replace him who won it for Antonio Conte’s side.

It is only what Uefa term match day two of the Champions League but this is the kind of result that reverberates around Europe. The kind of result that shows, after a season’s absence from this competition, that Chelsea are back. That Conte is back. And that Chelsea can come back because they turned this around from a goal deficit against a team who do not surrender such advantages.

In fact it is hard to recall when before Chelsea have commanded a game so comprehensively away from home against one of Europe’s big clubs, a club who have reached two of the last four Champions League finals. Chelsea did not do it even when they won the Champions League in 2012 while it is simply a given that  Atlético  do not lose at home (this is only their second loss in 24 Champions League games and it feels more formidable than that). It was also the first time that  Atlético  have ever lost at home to an English club.

Diego Simeone’s side are in a new stadium, of course, having left the crumbling, chaotic but charismatic power of the Vicente Calderon after 51 years to move to the imposing grandeur of the Estadio Metropolitano but they have taken their daunting atmosphere with them and had won their previous two games here without conceding a goal. It did not feel like the new stadium was a factor.

But Chelsea were. From the moment the team-sheets were delivered and Cesc Fabregas was included it appeared Conte had arrived with intent. There was also a superb performance from Eden Hazard, who needs to light up this competition, and who was playing his first Champions League tie since Chelsea lost in the last-16 to Paris Saint-Germain in March 2016.

And there was Morata. The 24-year-old is not only Chelsea’s record signing – and the man who previously held that record also eventually took the pitch when Atlético brought on Fernando Torres – but is also a former Real Madrid striker. His name led to a chorus of whistles when it was read out pre-match and those whistles were even louder and angrier when he was substituted late on. They would have been music to the Madridista’s ears as Costa watched on. The King (Kong) is dead. Long live the Prince.

Morata scored his seventh goal in seven games for Chelsea to draw them level after David Luiz had foolishly conceded a penalty when he grabbed hold – and would not let go – of Lucas Hernández’s shirt at a corner. He was booked and Antoine Griezmann, who otherwise was disappointing, thumped the penalty past Thibaut Courtois. That was just before half-time and it could have been quickly followed by ‘game-over’ as Courtois beat out Koke’s powerful low shot with Saùl Niguez then firing the rebound wide when surely a player of his calibre had to score.

But it was rough enough on Chelsea who also felt they should have had a penalty when Marcos Alonso was man-handled by Juanfran. They had dominated, they had come close with Jan Oblak tipping over Morata’s header and were unfortunate when Hazard’s quick feet creates space 25 yards out only for his shot to take a slight deflection and thump back off the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Chelsea continued to show courage and continued to dominate and they got their reward when Luiz picked out Hazard who, out on the left, swung the ball in for Morata to deftly glance his header across Oblak and into the net. Atlético  were rocking and Chelsea should have scored again when Hazard tidied up a goalmouth scramble to square to Fabregas who could not move his feet quickly enough and scuffed his shot wide.

Simeone sensed his side had to try and win this but it was Morata who again went close as he brilliantly out-stripped Hernández on a counter-attack only to stab his right foot shot across goal and wide. There was pressure from Atlético and they maybe could have had another penalty when Tiemoue Bakayoko appeared to trip Torres.

Then deep into injury-time Chelsea won a free-kick and worked the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, patiently looking for an opening, until Alonso crossed low and Batshuayi side-footed home from close-range. It was the last kick of the match and even the Atlético  hardcore were stunned into silence.

“We want to see where we are,” Conte had said in the build-up and it was a game which is usually the preserve of March or onwards when the Champions League becomes serious and only the serious players with serious aspirations are left. For Chelsea that was almost as important as the points as they took control of Group C.

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Guardian:

Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi pops up late to seal win at Atlético Madrid

Atlético 1 - 2 Chelsea

Sid Lowe

“This is the right moment to understand where we are,” Antonio Conte had said on the eve of this game, and the answer he got delighted him. Time was up, the clock heading past 93 minutes, when Chelsea produced a wonderful move to clinch a dramatic, and deserved, victory over Atlético Madrid with the last kick of the game.

At the end Conte saluted fans high in the north stand, his fists clenched. Up in the directors’ box behind him, Diego Costa watched on and sighed. His former team had beaten his new one, becoming the first away side to win at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Conte might have reflected that it should not have taken so long to find a way through, but they got there in the end and when the goal came it was gorgeous. Marcos Alonso, N’Golo Kanté, Tiémoué Bakayoko, and Alonso again made it, the passing crisp and first time in and around the Atlético area until the goal was at their mercy. The man who finally slipped in the knife was Michy Batshuayi. He had come on a few minutes earlier, with Willian. The change had been a surprise yet, ultimately, the victory was not. The winner came from Chelsea’s 18th shot.

Chelsea are top of their group but more importantly, they impressed against a side who have reached two finals in four years. There will be optimism about a first start together for Eden Hazard and Álvaro Morata, who look like forming a promising partnership and who combined to make the equaliser on the hour after Chelsea had fallen behind to an Antoine Griezmann penalty just before half-time. And then, right at the end, Chelsea got the winner. If this is a process, as Conte said, it is progressing.

That the winner came without Hazard and Morata on the pitch speaks to a certain strength in depth and the manager’s reading of the game. If it may speak too of good fortune, the way it came had little to do with fortune; this was football. Not just in this move, but throughout. Kanté played on the front foot. Victor Moses ran at Filipe Luís. And César Azpilicueta sought Alonso on the other side. Then there was Morata and especially Hazard, occupying the space between Atlético’s back four and their midfield four.

Not just occupying that space; enjoying it. This was only Hazard’s second start of the season and the enthusiasm was clear. Quick, willing to run, free, his feet fast, he was superb. Morata also impressed, receiving back to goal, opening the pitch out or running beyond defenders. The chances were Chelsea’s, most of the control was too. Morata, Hazard and Morata again all had efforts inside seven minutes. By the 25th minute the shot count read 1-6. The last of those saw Morata’s header tipped over. A moment later, Kanté found Hazard, who snatched at his effort.

Atlético were under pressure but they did emerge to create an opportunity on the right, Gary Cahill alert to Griezmann’s run. Then, with two sharp, incisive passes Atlético found their way through, the pitch opening before them and leading them to the opening goal.

Filipe Luís found Saúl Ñíguez who found Yannick Carrasco and he exchanged passes with Ángel Correa. The shot was blocked for a corner, which Koke curled towards the near post. As Thibaut Courtois scrambled to push it away, Lucas Hernández tumbled. Most here had not seen what happened but the referee had. David Luiz had grabbed imprudently at Hernández’s shirt. From the spot, Griezmann gave Atlético the lead.

This was what Conte had warned them of before the match, but Chelsea could barely believe it – and they were relieved to avoid a swift second two minutes later when Koke’s shot was saved by Courtois and Saúl followed up but shot wide.

Chelsea would not be denied, though, and the manner of the equaliser was fitting: Hazard made it with a neat inswinging ball and Morata, who was in Atlético’s system until the age of 15 and was whistled for his Real Madrid past, headed past Jan Oblak. Off he set to the touchline where he embraced Conte and team-mates piled on. They deserved the goal and should have added to it when Morata and Hazard scrambled the ball into the path of Cesc Fàbregas. Stretching, from six yards, he skewed wide. Hazard lifted Fàbregas from the turf, head in his hands.

There were more laments but they did not last for ever. Hazard set Morata away from deep inside his half. He and Hernández raced, side by side. The Chelsea striker held Hernández off and reached the area first, nudging the ball past Oblak – and just past a post.

With eight minutes remaining and perhaps an eye on Manchester City on Saturday, Conte removed the men who had most damaged Atlético. Hazard departed and so did Morata, whistled as he went. Their work here was done. Willian and Batshuayi came on with work still to do.

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Mail:

Atletico Madrid 1-2 Chelsea: Michy Batshuayi scores dramatic winner with last kick of game after Alvaro Morata cancelled out Antoine Griezmann's opener

By Martin Samuel

Michy Batshuayi planted the ball in the net and the next thing anyone in the Wanda Metropolitano stadium knew, the Atletico Madrid club anthem was emerging through the speakers and it was time to go home.

Yes, that late. Yes, that much of a killer. This was a huge victory for Chelsea, a milestone for English football, too. No English club had won away to Atletico Madrid, and their coach Diego Simeone had been unbeaten by the English.

Chelsea also became the first visiting club to score at Madrid's new home, and therefore also the first to win. All things considered, then, group stage or not, this was a greatly impressive three points, all the more so for coming from behind, and most of all for being thoroughly deserved.

Chelsea were the better team and could have had the game done before half-time had Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata taken several chances. They could be a force in the Champions League this season, too. Even the 6-0 cakewalk against Qarabag has been put into perspective by Roma's slender 2-1 win in Azerbaijan.

Watching from the stand, meanwhile, Diego Costa would have been only too aware of the changing of the guard. He may have got the move his heart desired but, professionally, it is no upgrade. He has left the stronger team of the two and Chelsea have moved swiftly on without him.

Not only is Morata an outstanding replacement, but Batshuayi is developing into quite the understudy — a scorer of vital goals, like the one that clinched the title against West Bromwich last season.

His winner here looked simple enough, but wasn't, Chelsea still applying late pressure four minutes into injury time after David Luiz was fouled, and finally getting the breakthrough from a low cross by Marcos Alonso.

Batshuayi turned it home from inside the six-yard box and in an instant the final credits were rolling. At first it seemed the Atletico anthem was a forlorn attempt at a rallying cry, then as the players began shaking hands it became apparent it was all over. Batshuayi had truly delivered the last kick of the game, and Atletico were feeling the soft spot where it landed.

As for the man Batshuayi replaced after 82 minutes in Chelsea's front line, what more can be said? Low maintenance, but high scoring. If only all strikers were crafted as efficiently as Morata.

He alone might not have delivered the win, but he scored the first away goal here and played a huge part in victory over one of European football's toughest opponents. Atletico may have to wait on Costa's first appearance in January, but they are not short of class in his absence.

Davis Luiz let his Chelsea team-mates down with a lazy piece of defending to concede a penalty in a match which Chelsea were dominating.

Luiz was caught flat-footed and clearly held Lucas Hernandez (ringed, left) by the shirt at an Atletico corner and was rightly punished when Cuneyt Cakir pointed to the spot.

Chelsea had not looked like conceding until that point and despite last night's win Luiz will be hoping his sloppy defending doesn't cost the Blues in future.

He was back in black in the stand, genial now he has got his way, and his former team-mates showed there were no hard feelings when their paths crossed in the tunnel.

On the pitch, meanwhile, Morata continues to demonstrate why Costa may not be as missed as many imagine. This was his seventh goal in as many games for Chelsea this season, another one showcasing his impressive aerial ability. What a weapon he is when given good service.

It was perfect for him here — a quite lovely cross from the outstanding Hazard, directed past goalkeeper Jan Oblak with delightful ease.

That is Morata's talent, making it look easy when plainly it is not. Costa, it has to be said, was rarely this understated. Everything was aggro, everything was conflict.

Morata merely ran off to celebrate his equalising goal with Chelsea's bench, leading a procession of team-mates, only too happy to now present a united front.

In one game he now has 50 per cent of Costa's Champions League total for Chelsea — he scored just two goals in 15 matches. Batshuayi's goal was his second for Chelsea in Europe, equalling Costa's total.

The goal will have meant a little more to Morata, too, having suffered a barrage of jeers and whistles throughout, his punishment for being a former Real Madrid man.

The barracking when he was substituted with eight minutes to go was one of the loudest noises the home crowd generated all night. If only they knew what his replacement would get up to they would have cheered for him to stay on.

So justice was done. Chelsea dominated the bulk of the first half, enjoying a sustained 20 minutes of pressure as impressive as any spell enjoyed by an English side against elite opposition in this competition in years.

Yet, somehow, they went in at half-time behind by a goal, and it could have been two had Atletico not squandered the last chance of the half.

The blame for this deficit had to go to Luiz. Hailed as the man who made Conte's Chelsea click a year ago, his start to the 2017-18 season could not have been more different. He has been sent off for a rash tackle and here was another costly moment of madness, turning the game on its head in the 39th minute.

Chelsea were in control until that point. It had taken Atletico until the 37th minute to mount a threat to goal, when a deflected shot earned a corner and as the ball came in Luiz needlessly manhandled Lucas Hernandez to the floor, tugging at his shirt in a most obvious fashion. Referee Cuneyt Cakir brandished a yellow card for Luiz and signalled the penalty Atletico's play — if not Luiz's lunacy — scarcely deserved.

Antoine Griezmann took it, old school, a powerful shot past Thibaut Courtois, who spent three years on loan here and is still a crowd favourite. He nearly did them a favour, too, his parry from a shot by Koke with seconds to go before half-time only pushing the ball out to Saul Niguez, whose low shot was fierce, but narrowly wide.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Filipe Luis; Koke, Thomas (Gimenez 77), Saul, Carrasco (Torres, 69); Correa (Gaitan 70), Griezmann

Subs not used: Moya, Savic, Gabi, Vietto

Goals: Griezmann 41

Yellow cards: Thomas 47, Griezmann 54

Chelsea (3-5-1-1): Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Bakayoko, Kane, Fabregas, Alonso; Hazard (Willian, 82); Morata (Batshuayi 82)

Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Christensen, Zappacosta, Pedro

Goals: Morata 60, Batshuayi 90

Yellow cards: David Luiz 40

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir

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Independent:

Michy Batshuayi's last-gasp winner seals Chelsea memorable Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid 1 Chelsea 2: Blues fight back from Antoine Griezmann's first-half penalty, first through Alvaro Morata and then with Batshuayi at the death

Ed Malyon

Michy Batshuaryi’s last-gasp winner sealed Chelsea a memorable win over Atletico Madrid and ensured the advantage is now theirs in what amounts to effectively a three-team group.

Qarabag, who Chelsea comprehensively put away in their opener and Roma beat earlier on Wednesday evening, are not expected to make a dent in Group C but the Italians, Chelsea and Atleti will battle tooth and nail for those two precious spots in the last 16. The Blues had looked happy with a point, and well they might have been against one of Europe’s best sides and, significantly, likely its finest defence.

For all the quality in the Premier League, no side on English soil has a backline as unforgiving and impenetrable as Atletico and Alvaro Morata’s equaliser, headed of course, had the sneaky feeling of one that might have proved vital in December when this three is narrowed to two.

But Michy Batshuayi, a late substitute and a man developing a knack of scoring important goals, stabbed home Andreas Christensen’s drilled cross with the last kick of the game to cap a memorable comeback after an engrossing European premiere for Atletico’s new stadium, the Metropolitano Wanda.

Perhaps predictably this was a game that had started with backlines dominating and midfields focused more on destruction than creativity.

The danger with a meeting of two such strong sides in the early stages of the Champions League is that both are more naturally inclined to play conservatively. With Diego Simeone and Antonio Conte, two immensely talented coaches but ones who prioritise tight defence, that danger is somewhat multiplied and most of the first half had been cagey with both sides relying on their magic men to provide a spark.

Eden Hazard had looked the most likely player to do so from either team, a neat backheel setting up Alvaro Morata for a half-chance that he drove beyond the far post in his second opportunity of the opening 20 minutes.

But that was about it from Chelsea whereas Atleti grew in confidence, though still unwilling to risk overcommittal. It was going to take a spark or an error and in the end it would be the latter as David Luiz was caught flat-footed at an Atletico corner and couldn’t resist grabbing Lucas Hernandez. With the Frenchman about to beat him to the near post, a healthy fistful of shirt caused Hernandez to go to ground and the penalty was given.

While the subsequent yellow card had the feel of a referee trying to justify their decision, replays suggest Cuneyt Cakir got it right. By the time Chelsea had stopped complaining, Antoine Griezmann had already fired home to hand the hosts a lead.

With the Wanda Metropolitano now rocking, Atleti were emboldened and Chelsea, rather than being fired up by injustice, were more like moping teenagers. Standing aside as Koke drove through midfield minutes later, they were caught out by his fizzing drive that stung the palms of the diving Thibaut Courtois.

Saul’s technique was good enough that he hit the rebound first-time, and his side-footed effort was clean but the direction was slightly, agonisingly off and the ball whistled by the post as referee Cakir whistled for half-time.

Chelsea had started the first half as slightly the more dangerous team and they did so again in the second. They come up against quality opposition in the Premier League but rarely teams of this calibre, particularly defensively, and outside Morata and Hazard nobody seemed to have an idea of how one might break down a wall like that.

Fortunately for Chelsea, they didn’t need anyone else.

With Hazard increasingly strangled for space in the middle, he drifted out wide and was found by a crossfield ball by David Luiz. Such a raking pass gave Hazard the extra half-second he needed to make the difference and his deliciously-whipped cross was glanced home by Alvaro Morata.

The Atleti fan was playing his seventh game against his boyhood club for his third different team but had always been frustrated, but his first goal set his newest team on course for a memorable comeback. A second goal, when sent through one-on-one, would have buried the club of his heart but instead his head was in his hands as for the third time on the night he rolled a finish past Jan Oblak but also the far post.

Replaced with thoughts of what could have been, Morata left the field wondering if he had cost his side three valuable points and shook hands with Michy Batshuayi.

And incredibly it was the Belgian, the man whose goal won Conte the league, who stabbed home from close range to hand Chelsea what might become a famous win, but what will likely prove an important one when this group is settled.


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Express:

Atletico Madrid 1 - Chelsea 2: Michy Batshuayi scores with last kick of the game to win it

ANTONIO CONTE delivered another lesson in his litany of tactical masterclasses in Madrid as Chelsea pulled off one of their greatest European results.

By TONY BANKS IN MADRID

Up against the might of Atletico in their own new backyard, Chelsea produced a performance of remarkable bravery and skill as they fought back from potential disaster to grab a totally deserved win.

Michy Batshuayi’s goal in injury time at the Wanda Metropolitano will go down in Chelsea folklore after an astonishing match.

But Conte’s immaculately prepared team to a man delivered – as they fought back from potential Champions League catastrophe.

Defeat loomed when David Luiz gave away a stupid penalty on the stroke of half time after a 45 minutes they had utterly dominated to enable Antoine Griezmann to score.

Luiz, playing with a broken wrist after being sent off against Arsenal, had had an immaculate game but once again in his career, a moment of lunacy let the Brazilian down.

Chelsea refused to be denied, as the excellent Eden Hazard set up Alvaro Morata for his seventh goal in seven games with a delicious header – and then Batshuayi silenced the cacophony with virtually the last kick of the game.

The task ahead of Chelsea had been formidable.

Atletico had reached two out of the last four finals, each time losing to their bitter rivals Real. Last year they were semi-finallists.

Simeone’s team had never lost at home to English opposition in Uefa competition before last night.

They had lost just one of their last 22 Champions League home matches, while Chelsea had won only three of their last 12 European away games.

The teams last met in the semi-finals in 2013-14. Chelsea gained a creditable draw at the infamous old Vicente Calderon cauldron, but were beaten 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Costa scored a penalty for Atletico that night. Last night, having secured his £67 million return to his first love from Chelsea only this week, the Spaniard was there greeting his old teammates warmly in the tunnel.

In their new spectacular £210 million home, Atletico had played twice and won twice, without conceding a goal. After 18 months without the Champions League for Chelsea, barring that straightforward opener against Qarabag, last night it felt like the real thing again.

Conte’s masterstroke was deciding to play Hazard, starting a game for the first time this season, behind Morata.

As expected, Atletico were straight onto the attack but Hazard then beat his man and fed Morata, who screwed his shot wide of the far post. Then Hazard hit the side netting, and as the pair linked up again, again Morata dragged his shot wide.

There was more to come. Then Hazard let fly from 25 yards as Morata laid the ball off and his drive came back off the post with goalkeeper Jan Oblak helpless.

Chelsea were by far the better team and when Luiz floated a long ball into space, Morata climbed, and Oblak had to turn his header over the bar.

But then all Chelsea’s hard work looked to have been undone.

Koke floated in a corner, Luiz grabbed Lucas’s shirt in the melee at the near post and Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir gave the spot kick to the English’s team’s consternation. Up stepped Griezmann to ram home the penalty and Atletico, with virtually their first shot on target, were ahead totally against the run of play.

At that point, things looked ominous. Atletico had the bit between their teeth, and Saul Niguez should have made it two but somehow shot wide after Thibaut Courtois pushed out Koke’s shot.

Despite the setback, Chelsea still looked in control with Hazard linking up well with Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko tireless in midfield.

And then on the hour the partnership finally worked. Hazard jinked, cut inside on the left from Bakayoko’s pass and crossed, and there was Morata to glance a lovely header beyond Oblak for his seventh goal in seven games.

A minute later, Chelsea should have been ahead, as the unstoppable Hazard poked a pass square to Fabregas six yards out but the Spaniard incredibly put the ball wide when it looked easier to score.

On came Fernando Torres for Atletico as Simeone tried to wrest control of the game for his team, but it was Morata who could have won it for Chelsea, shooting just wide when clean through.

But no matter. Chelsea went forward as the minutes ticked away, full-back Marcos Alonso crossed from the right and there was substitute Batshuayi to sidefoot in a famous goal.



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Sun:


BAT OUT OF HELLAtletico 1 Chelsea 2: Michy Batshuayi strikes in the dying seconds as he and Alvaro Morata leave Diego Costa distraught after stunning comeback

The Belgian striker scores winner with the last kick of the game to seal Champions League victory as Blues become first English side to win at Atletico

By Gary Stonehouse


MICHY BATSHUAYI scored in the dying seconds to secure a thrilling Champions League comeback for Chelsea and ruin the watching Diego Costa's night at Atletico Madrid.

Costa, who officially rejoined Atletico this week from the Premier League champions, was in the stands to watch his new and old employers lock horns – but he was left slumped and distraught by the Belgian’s late winner.

Chelsea will have felt unfortunate to have found themselves behind at the break after largely dominating against the Spanish side.

Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata, the latter returning to the capital for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in the summer, twice went close.

But when the opener did arrive it was an absolute gift from Blues defender David Luiz.

The Brazilian had been excellent for most of the half but a moment of madness cost his side dear in the dying moments.

He locked arms with an opposition attacker, and even though a similar challenge earlier had gone unpunished, this time the referee pointed to the spot.

And Antoine Griezmann kept his cool to slot confidently right down the middle.

However, Chelsea refused to roll over and it was not long until they found a way back – and boy did Morata enjoy silencing his haters.

Hazard bent in a cross on the hour mark from the left and the ex-Real Madrid star met it with his head and flicked home to level.

After being hammered all evening by the Atletico supporters he milked his celebration too as he sprinted down the sidelines to embrace his boss Antonio Conte.

It could have got even better for Chelsea just seconds later when the ball fell to Cesc Fabregas just a few yards out – but the midfielder could only direct his close-range effort agonisingly wide.

And Morata came close to stealing the points late on after breaking away from Lucas Hernandez to go clean through. But goalkeeper Jan Oblak came racing out to meet him and the forward poked his effort wide off the post too.

But with the very last kick of the game, substitute Batshuayi grabbed the headlines and the points as he slammed home Marcos Alonso’s cross to seal a first-ever win for an English club at Atletico.

What they said

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte blasted Premier League bosses for having so little time to prepare for the game against Man City on Saturday.

He said: "I think we are a bit penalised. To have only one day to prepare for this type of game is not right.

"Honestly I'm very surprised to see that this big game we have to play on Saturday, not on Sunday. I don't understand why."

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said: "The opponent was the better team, they were the more comfortable team in all moments and deserved to win."

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Star:

Atletico Madrid 1 Chelsea 2: Batshuayi scores last-gasp Champions League winner

A WONDER goal at the Wanda Metropolitano gave Chelsea a sensational victory.

By Scott Coleman

Before last night, Diego Simeone’s team had never lost at home to English opposition in Europe.

After their straightforward Champions League group opener against Qarabag two weeks ago, last night felt like the real thing again.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, in a surprise move, opted to play Cesc Fabregas alongside Eden Hazard, behind striker Alvaro Morata, with Gary Cahill returning to defence.

Fernando Torres, who once led Chelsea’s attack, was on Atletico’s bench.

Diego Costa, having secured his £67m return to Atletico this week, watched from the stands after warmly meeting his former Chelsea team-mates in the tunnel. Atletico were straight onto the attack but Hazard beat his man and fed Morata, who screwed his shot wide of the far post.


Then Hazard jinked inside and hit the side netting, and as the pair linked up again, Morata dragged his shot wide. It was a promising start.

Hazard let fly from 25 yards as Morata laid the ball off and his drive came back off the post with goalkeeper Jan Oblak helpless.

Chelsea were lively and almost broke through again. This time David Luiz floated a long ball into space, Morata climbed, and Oblak had to turn his header over the bar.

Another neat move saw Hazard, who was causing Atletico constant problems as he dropped deep and then ran at the defence, shot straight at the goalkeeper.

But all Chelsea’s hard work was undone when Koke floated in a corner and Luiz grabbed Lucas’s shirt in the melee at the near post.

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir gave the spot kick, much to the English’s team’s dismay, but it looked like another moment of madness from the Brazilian.

Up stepped Antoine Griezmann to ram home the penalty and Atletico, with virtually their first shot on target, were ahead totally against the run of play.

Chelsea piled forward in search of the equaliser.

Marcos Alonso’s shot was defected wide with Oblak rooted to the spot, and Cahill shot’s was deflected over.

But Atletico had the bit between their teeth, and Saul Niguez should have made it two but somehow shot wide after Thibaut Courtois pushed Koke’s shot out into his path.

Despite the setback, Chelsea still looked in control after the break with Hazard linking up well with Morata, and Tiemoue Bakayoko tireless in midfield.Victor Moses drilled a shot wide from another Hazard pass, and at that stage, if another goal was going to come in the cacophony of noise, it looked like it would be Chelsea who scored it.

And then on the hour, the link-up finally worked.

Hazard jinked, cut inside on the left from Bakayoko’s pass and crossed, and there was Morata to glance a lovely header beyond Oblak for his seventh goal in seven games.

A minute later, Chelsea should have been ahead, as the unstoppable Hazard poked a pass square to Fabregas six yards out. But the Spaniard incredibly poked the ball wide when it looked easier to score.

On came Torres for Atletico as Simeone tried to wrest control of the game for his team.

But it was Morata who may have won it for Chelsea, poking his shot just wide when clean through.

With the game virtually done, Chelsea went once more for goal, pinging the ball around the box and when Alonso drilled the ball across, late substitute Batshuayi had the final say.


ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Lucas, Filipe Luis; Koke, Partey, Niguez, Carrasco; Correa, Griezmann. Subs: Moya, Torres, Gabi, Savic, Vietto, Gaitan, Gimenez.

CHELSEA (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso; Fabregas, Hazard; Morata. Subs: Caballero, Rudiger, Pedro, Zappacosta, Willian, Batshuayi, Christensen.

Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)



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Atletico Madrid 1-2 Chelsea - Michy Batshuayi earns three points with last kick of the game

Diegos Simeone and Costa were left heartbroken by the Belgian's winner


BYRIK SHARMA


Michy Batshuayi stunned Atletico Madrid with a last-gasp winner to earn Chelsea a second Champions League win of the season.

The Belgian ghosted into the box and side-footed home to leave Diego Simeone heartbroken.


Chelsea started well with Morata firing wide twice and the lively Eden Hazard crashing a superb effort off the post from long-range.

But it was Atletico who took the lead when David Luiz pulled Lucas Hernandez’s shirt at a corner, with Antoine Griezmann firing home from the penalty spot in the 40th minute.

Saul Niguez should have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time but fired wide with the goal gaping.

Morata headed home the equaliser from Hazard’s superb cross in the 60th minute as Chelsea started the second period as strongly, but it looked to be heading for a draw until Batshuayi struck.


1. Morata shows big-game qualifications

Alvaro Morata was decisive for Juventus in the Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid in 2015, but after returning to the Santiago Bernabeu, he played a bit-part role.

The striker didn’t have much of an impact in crucial games for Madrid, instead preying on the lower lights in Spain, and his first big matches for Chelsea weren’t much better.

Morata didn’t score against Tottenham or Arsenal, and was especially disappointing in the latter, failing to get involved in the game.

However against Atletico he showed he was not just a bully, with his class on the ball helping Chelsea dominate in the first half.

Morata fired a couple of early efforts wide and saw a good header saved by Jan Oblak, but his finest contributions came in his hold up play.

The Spaniard, who was fiercely whistled and jeered by Atletico fans for his Madrid past, teed up Hazard, who hit the post, and was the glue that held many of Chelsea’s attacking moves together.

Eventually his goal came, heading home Eden Hazard’s cross superbly to put Chelsea level, before celebrating wildly with coach Antonio Conte—with Diego Costa watching on.


2. Chelsea given proper Champions League welcome


The Blues made their Champions League return against Qarabag, but the 6-0 win at Stamford Bridge was a ‘soft launch’ for their campaign.

Nights like these are what make the Champions League, for better and for worse.

Marcos Alonso was tugged in the area and a penalty was not given, but when David Luiz did the same in Chelsea’s box on Lucas Hernandez, referee Cuneyt Cakir pointed to the spot.

Atletico’s fans were raucous and filled their new stadium with noise, while Chelsea fans, tucked away at the top of the north stand, responded in kind.

Atletico’s players went down easily and often, with Chelsea reminded how matches like these need to be played—Cesc Fabregas showed nous in his frequent words to the referee to help his side get some more decisions.

While Manchester United were running riot in Moscow against Europa League opponents, this was the sort of game you expect to see in the semi-final stage of this competition.

An early test like this will likely help Chelsea to get their eye in. If there were any doubts over whether the English champions are contenders on their return to the competition, this should help dispel them.


3. Clever in-game management


Chelsea were on top and creating several dangerous opportunities against a struggling Atletico before Diego Simeone decided something had to change.

The Argentine coach had lined up with a 4-4-2 but, seeing his side overrun in central midfield, tinkered and switched to a 4-3-3.

That pushed Angel Correa wide right and Yannick Carrasco wide left, looking to get in behind Chelsea’s advanced full-backs, and allowed Saul and Koke to try and shut down Hazard, who had been a constant thorn in the hosts’ side.

Atletico reaped almost instant dividends when Griezmann opened the scoring and Saul fired wide when he should have grabbed the second before half-time.

It led to a more even game, but Chelsea’s Antonio Conte responded to changing Fabregas’ position on the field to suit the team’s needs.

When Chelsea were chasing a goal he utilised the Spaniard as a quarter-back, behind Bakayoko and Kante, having started with the former as the deepest lying player.

Then, having got what he sought, he swapped them back, to keep the side tough for Atletico to break down.


4. Correa shows why Atletico need Costa


Angel Correa impressed individually against Chelsea, giving Marcos Alonso a difficult night, but he found it hard to link-up with his team-mates.

The Argentine forward is making a good fist of being Antoine Griezmann’s partner this season, but his limitations show in matches as big as these.

Diego Simeone’s preferred foil for Griezmann was in the stadium, watching on, but ineligible for selection.

Diego Costa will return to action in January and Atletico have to get him as fit as possible before then, after completing the striker’s signing from Chelsea.

Atletico could have used the Brazilian-born forward’s unique skill-set to cause Chelsea more problems at the back and buy the isolated Griezmann more room.


5. Hazard wins battle against Griezmann


Although they weren’t facing up to each other on the pitch, Eden Hazard and Antoine Griezmann will likely one day be direct rivals.

The pair are among the elite band of players who have the potential to take world football’s crown after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo vacate the throne.

Although Griezmann struck from the penalty spot in the first half, scoring his third goal in three games at the club’s new stadium, it was Chelsea’s flying Belgian who dominated here.


Hazard carved out early chances for Morata, struck the post himself and eventually set-up Chelsea’s equaliser with a superb cross.

Considering the hostile atmosphere and the fact this was his first start for Chelsea bar a Carabao Cup appearance, Hazard put in a quite remarkable shift.

Hazard was the most dangerous player on the pitch and Conte eventually reluctantly withdrew him inside the final 10 minutes, so as not to push him too far too soon.