Independent:
Torres saves Chelsea after newcomers put a stop to Euro party
Chelsea 4 Reading 2: Champions League winners recover from being a goal down to take three points
Sam Wallace
When Chelsea's team was read out last night, the announcer prefaced the name of each player who had involved last season with the phrase "European champion", a small indulgence that you can forgive a club just three months after their finest hour. In the modern era, football moves on swiftly from even the most significant triumphs.
In Chelsea's case it took about half an hour, by which time they were losing 2-1 at home to a Reading side promoted from the Championship last season and the first wave of mild panic was passing around Stamford Bridge. Last season the crowd watched them chuck away points at home to Aston Villa and Newcastle United and initially this game had the hallmarks of another cock-up.
They won the game in the end largely thanks to a goal, their third, scored by Fernando Torres when the striker was clearly offside. By the time Branislav Ivanovic scored the fourth in the third minute of injury time, Reading were stretched to breaking point and their goalkeeper, Adam Federici, was sprinting unsuccessfully back to his own goal having come up for a last-ditch corner.
The nature of the third goal was hard on Reading who were excellent in the first half but were forced into an inevitable retreat in the second half under a barrage of pressure from Chelsea who finished the game with an overwhelming 72 per cent of the possession. Their best player was the Belgian Eden Hazard whose three assists last night, including winning a penalty, take him to five for the season.
He was the man who eventually brought Chelsea's pressure to bear on Reading although it was Andy Halliday, the linesman culpable on the Torres goal, who helped the home side through the door. Given the extraordinary pace that the modern game is played at, there are certain marginal decisions that can be forgiven. Torres, however, was comfortably offside.
Chelsea dominated the second half having fallen behind to goals before the break from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie after Frank Lampard has scored from the penalty spot. The home team edged it in the second half but whether they would have won without the help of the officials is one of the great imponderables.
When they were really forcing the issue, Roberto Di Matteo had a four behind Torres comprising of Juan Mata, Hazard and the substitutes Oscar and Daniel Sturridge who played some exhilarating stuff. It was a different Chelsea to the one of recent years, especially with Lampard back holding the fort while the young bucks pushed on for the winning goals.
In defence, however, it was a different story. There was a clanger from Petr Cech for Reading's second goal and Pogrebnyak gave both Gary Cahill and John Terry big problems. Impressive as they were going forward, Chelsea were suspect in defence and this was without David Luiz who announced his absence through injury on Twitter yesterday morning.
Indeed, Reading should have gone in two goals clear but Alex Pearce failed to get a head to Ian Harte's excellent free-kick one minute before the break. They had first gone behind to Lampard's penalty after Hazard had bamboozled Chris Gunter into tripping him on the right side of the Reading area.
Within seven minutes, Reading equalised through the formidable Pogrebnyak. Running into the box to meet Gareth McCleary's cross from the right he directed his header across Cech and into the far corner. Tracking the striker's run, Cahill barely got a peak of the ball from behind Pogrebnyak's considerable shoulders.
It changed Reading's attitude to can-do and soon after Jobi McAnuff drew John Terry into the kind of foul on the edge of the area the Chelsea captain rarely gives away. The free-kick, struck by Guthrie, should not have caused Cech any problems but he made a complete hash of it and dropped the ball in his own goal.
Chelsea had created chances at the start of the game, Ramires and Torres in particular, but by the end of the first half they were struggling. Torres had a decent opportunity from Hazard's cross from the right but directed his header wide of the left post. With strong performances from the likes of Pearce, Guthrie and McAnuff, Reading looked stable.
When Oscar came on for Ramires with 20 minutes left, Chelsea became more dangerous. Hazard opened up Reading in a passage of play that ended in a cross from Torres and a chance for the Belgium international that was blocked by Kaspers Gorkss. Reading found it harder to keep them out
When Sturridge came on for John Obi Mikel on 67 minutes Chelsea were back in the game. With the England international on the right, they equalised in the 69th minute – a goal gifted to them by a mistake from Federici as bad as the one that Cech had made in the first half.
Fed the ball by Hazard, Cahill's low drive was struck honestly but it did not have any degree of menace about it. Inexplicably, the Reading goalkeeper threw himself over the top of the ball and gave the home team an easy way back into the game.
The tide had turned. Chelsea's third goal, scored by Torres, was beautifully crafted. Mata worked the ball forward with help from Lampard and Hazard before it was switched out left to Ashley Cole. His cross was simple for Torres to tuck away, not least because the striker was well-advanced in an offside position when the ball was played.
Until Ivanovic's goal, for which Hazard carried the ball over half the pitch when Chelsea broke from a Reading corner, the away side were still in the game. It was the Torres goal that had tipped it. That and a Chelsea attack that carries some promise for the new season.
Man of the match Hazard.
Match rating 7/10.
Referee L Mason (Lancs).
Attendance 41,733.
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Guardian:
Chelsea breach Reading's resistance to move to Premier League summit
Dominic Fifield
Chelsea perch on top of the fledgling Premier League table, restored to the summit for the first time in almost 21 months, yet that is where the prescribed script from this helter-skelter occasion has to be ditched. If the locals might legitimately have anticipated a saunter, instead the emotion that gripped this stadium on the final whistle was one of utter relief. It felt like an achievement to deflate and defeat Reading, newly arrived from the Championship.
In the end victory was secured with a goal stabbed in by Fernando Torres from an offside position, technically his most decisive reward yet in a Chelsea shirt, and a breakaway fourth from a galloping Branislav Ivanovic deep into stoppage time with the visitors' goalkeeper, Adam Federici, still upfield after attacking a corner. There was so much here to leave the Royals heartened but Anton Zingarevich, Reading's owner, still departed cursing his side's ill fortune. Not all Russian billionaires prosper in these parts.
Roman Abramovich, watching from afar, would have warmed to the entertainment on offer, though no one at Chelsea will be hoodwinked into believing they will remain clear of the pack for much longer if the frailties displayed here are not eradicated. This match started and finished amid a mood of celebration but in the interim there had been vulnerability to alarm.
Had Alex Pearce made better contact with Ian Harte's free-kick as half-time approached, the visitors might have retired 3-1 ahead and avoided their late disappointment. They would have merited the lead at that stage. The European champions will thrill at the creative options at their disposal, desperation having demanded they poured a team of attackers at Brian McDermott's side when trying to equalise in the latter stages, but there are other issues to address.
This team, more than ever, feels like a work in progress. Roberto Di Matteo is grappling with an awkward blend of irresistible forward-thinkers and a defensive unit that, shorn of an effective shield, can seem suspect. They have yet to stumble on a balance. Pavel Pogrebnyak, offering the same muscular threat he had summoned with Fulham this year, proved as much by guiding a sumptuous header from Garath McCleary's fizzed centre across and beyond Petr Cech to haul the visitors level from virtually their first attack. Suddenly Reading scented blood.
Cech should have gathered Danny Guthrie's free-kick after John Terry had illegally thwarted Jobi McAnuff's run, only to misjudge the flight of the ball. As the goalkeeper flopped to his left, the shot cannoned from his body and into the net.
Reading had not beaten Chelsea in the league since a Second Division game in 1930, a record that stands even if it was sorely tested. What made their first-half ripostes, and assurance to the interval, so staggering was the reality that they had been scorched by the home side's opening. The lead they enjoyed at the break felt as much a triumph of resilience as any threat on the counter. Quite how they had survived the whirlwind opening was hard to comprehend, the only damage sustained a penalty earned by Eden Hazard's tormenting of Chris Gunter and converted emphatically by Frank Lampard.
The Belgian's touch and burst of pace have made him an immediate crowd-pleaser, his inter-play with Juan Mata breathtaking at times. Hazard warnings will be issued throughout the top flight after his first two competitive appearances for the Blues. In his last 20 league games, for Lille and Chelsea, he has conjured 13 goals, 13 assists and, additionally, now won seven penalties. It was his pass to Ivanovic that provided the fourth at the death though, by then, it was Reading who were playing catch-up.
Just as over-elaboration was threatening to nullify Chelsea's intent, and with their entire array of available attacking personnel on show – from Oscar to Daniel Sturridge – it was Gary Cahill who swerved an equaliser through Federici. Thereafter, the game had taken a controversial twist. Torres, who had not previously scored a winning goal for the club, was beyond the stretching Kaspars Gorkss when he tapped in Ashley Cole's centre nine minutes from time, the assistant referee ignoring the protests while McDermott crumpled in frustration.
"We didn't deserve to lose," he said. "I'm gutted the linesman's got that decision wrong: it has not been a good night for him and now it has not been a good night for me, either. I said to him he'd got it wrong, and he said he'd have a look at it. That's life. People make mistakes."
It will rankle, but Reading can prosper if they replicate this endeavour. Chelsea can, too, though they will know there is room for improvement. The hope must be the balance they strike retains the thrill of this new-found attacking intent.
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Telegraph:
Fernando Torres offside goal leaves Reading fuming as Chelsea start Premier League with back-to-back wins
By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent, at Stamford Bridge
Another game, another reminder of the intoxicating nature of the Premier League. Another game, another demonstration of Eden Hazard’s glorious creativity. Another day, another linesman and Reading would have got some reward for their prodigious exertions.
This was an exhilarating match, a real end-to-end tear-up between the champions of Europe and the Championship winners.Chelsea were a joy to watch at times going forward, especially when the ball was at the clever feet of Hazard, the Belgian who has played a key role in setting up five of his new team’s six goals this season. If Oscar still resembles an elegant fawn working out how to cross the M1, Hazard is more than up to speed, enjoying the pace and physicality of the English game.
If the imagination was seized by Hazard then due and copious admiration must be recorded for Reading. Some managers come here and park the bus. Brian McDermott came here and ignored the handbrake, sending his players freewheeling into Chelsea’s unconvincing defence.
Pavel Pogrebnyak played the hard-working lone front-runner well, bullying John Terry and Gary Cahill. Danny Guthrie was a fount of good ideas and relentless industry in the hole behind Pogrebnyak. The lively Garath McCleary ran at, and occasionally past, Ashley Cole.
A year ago this week, Reading were losing 2-1 at home to Barnsley in the Championship. Now they were giving the champions of Europe and FA Cup winners a real scare. There is a belief in this well-organised, well-motivated side of McDermott’s, a refusal to be daunted by their august hosts. Their fans set the tone, oozing decibels and defiance.
When the stadium announcer requested the visiting support sit down, they all immediately broke into “stand up if you love Reading”. Those not already standing promptly rose. All of Reading stood up to be counted on Wednesday night.
They were eventually counted out, leaving the Bridge with no points but a sense of injustice. The goal that effectively condemned them to defeat was cloaked in controversy, the assistant referee Andy Halliday failing to flag Fernando Torres offside for Chelsea’s third.
The frustration bit deep because Reading had recovered so strongly from Chelsea’s vibrant start. For a while, Juan Mata was running the show, dropping deep, releasing team-mates with quick, accurate passes.
Chelsea appeared in control. Torres saw a shot blocked. So did Frank Lampard.
It all seemed to be going to the pre-match script, particularly when Chelsea’s pressure brought an 18th-minute lead. Chris Gunter became the latest of the dupes of Hazard, the right-back being caught out by the jinking Belgian, lunging in and gifting Chelsea a penalty. Lampard duly drilled the penalty past Adam Federici.
Reading rallied. After 25 minutes, McCleary eluded Cole and delivered a powerful cross in. Pogrebnyak muscled Cahill out of the way, sending an unstoppable header past Petr Cech. Lightning struck twice. Four minutes later, the threat emanated from the left, from the captain Jobi McAnuff, whose run was stopped illegally by Terry. Ian Harte dummied to take the free-kick with his left foot. Guthrie connected with his right and the ball raced low towards Cech.
It seemed a routine save for a keeper of Cech’s experience and expertise. To the disbelief of the Matthew Harding Stand behind him, Cech failed to control Guthrie’s free-kick and the ball spilled across the line.
Reading fans were now in wonderland, chanting: “We are top of the League.’’ Embarrassed, Chelsea slowly clawed their way back into the game.
Torres had another shot blocked. Terry sent a header over. Mata found Hazard, who dinked in a ball from the right which Torres headed wide, a bad miss.
Chelsea needed inspiration. Roberto Di Matteo sent on Oscar, removing Ramires, and the new boy from Brazil briefly linked promisingly with Hazard during a 65th-minute break culminating in another effort from Hazard. Again, Reading refused to yield.
Di Matteo then removed John Obi Mikel and sent on Daniel Sturridge. Chelsea’s front six now read: Lampard and Oscar, Sturridge, Mata and Hazard with Torres up top. They soon equalised. Hazard, all touch and vision, picked out Cahill in the centre and the defender let fly.
Cahill imparted sufficient venom in the strike but it was still poor goalkeeping by Federici, who allowed it to speed into the net.
McDermott refused to settle for a point. Reading’s manager gambled, sending on more attackers, first Adam Le Fondre and Noel Hunt. But Chelsea hit back.
If Federici’s mistake had cost Reading for the second goal, it was an error by Halliday that allowed Torres’s offside goal to stand. Mata touched the ball left to Cole, who angled it towards the far post. Torres was a yard offside as he turned the ball over the line.
McDermott was enraged, having a go at Halliday when he ventured close to the halfway line. McDermott’s supporters kept singing, chanting his name and extolling the name of their club, but that decision must have left a bitter taste, a feeling that the lesser lights do not enjoy the bigger calls.
Reading went down fighting the odds, even sending Federici up for a late corner. When the ball was cleared, Hazard broke and played the ball across for Branislav Ivanovic to score, finally extinguishing the burning flame of Reading’s ambition.
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Mail:
Chelsea 4 Reading 2: Torres breaks Royals resistance but visitors rage over offside call
By Matt Barlow
This was supposed to be a serene homecoming for Chelsea, back at Stamford Bridge for the first time as European champions, parading their expensive new recruits.
In the end it was a desperate scramble, featuring some awful goalkeeping mistakes and a late goal from Fernando Torres, which ought to have been ruled offside.
But the effect was the same. Ninety-five days after glory in Munich and the Blues reached the summit of the Barclays Premier League for the first time in 21 months.
And the new boys looked terrific.
Frank Lampard fired Chelsea ahead with an early penalty, won by the irrepressible Eden Hazard, before Pavel Pogrebnyak levelled and Petr Cech threw one into his own goal to put the visitors ahead.
Gary Cahill equalised with the help of another goalkeeping blunder before Torres pounced, nine minutes from time, and Branislav Ivanovic scored on the break in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
If Roberto Di Matteo is under orders to add a flourish to his winning formula and set Russian pulses racing, then he is making stunning progress. No buses were parked on Wednesday night.
From the very first minute, Chelsea careered forward, sometimes with reckless disregard for defensive duties and Hazard continued his explosive start to life in England.
The game was barely under way when the £32million winger burst clear and dragged a shot wide and then won a penalty by tempting Chris Gunter into a challenge he would soon regret.
He dashed outside the full back, then twisted back, looking for an outstretched leg. Gunter supplied it and over Hazard went. Lampard smashed in his second penalty of the season, goal No 189 for Chelsea.
Bobby Tambling’s club record of 202 is firmly in view, particularly if the team play with such adventure and Hazard proves so adept at winning penalties.
Stamford Bridge settled back and waited for more but Di Matteo’s defence failed its first real test when Pogrebnyak wriggled clear of Cahill to head Garath McCleary’s cross past Cech.
Reading took heart and took control before half-time. John Terry fouled Jobi McAnuff, 25 yards from goal and Cech made a complete hash of the free-kick.
It was taken by Danny Guthrie, an inswinger from the left which bounced a yard in front of the keeper, who, diving to his left, somehow contrived to push the ball into his own net.
That night in Munich could not have seemed more distant. Cech cursed as he climbed to his feet.
Trust the Royals to turn up with plans to spoil the party. No-one was cavorting naked in the pool, Prince Harry style, but Reading made it an uncomfortable night for their hosts.
Brian McDermott’s team are well-balanced and organised, they worked tirelessly and pressed high.
They were confident, too, and Pogrebnyak will score some goals if McCleary’s delivery from the right is going to be this good. Reading’s Russian owner Anton Zingarevich did not attempt to keep the smile from his face as he looked down from the posh seats.
Alex Pearce escaped his marker before half-time and was only inches away from connecting with a vicious inswinging free-kick from Ian Harte.
It was all slightly chaotic and made for a breathless spectacle. Hazard lashed a 25-yarder high and wide and Torres nodded a header wide after climbing high to reach a cross from the right.
Ivanovic tried his luck from distance, early in the second half but this effort sailed into the Matthew Harding Stand.
Reading repelled a flurry of Chelsea attacks in the second half before Di Matteo turned to another new signing, sending on Oscar to replace Ramires, and then a few more before Daniel Sturridge came off the bench.
It was a central defender, however, who came to the rescue, just as McDermott was beginning to think his team had ridden the storm.
Cahill accepted a short pass from Hazard, strode out of defence and tried his luck from 30 yards with a low drive which slithered across the greasy surface.
Adam Federici should have saved it but could only push it into the net. It was his second blatant mistake in as many games, having been responsible for a goal by Michael Kightly against Stoke on Saturday.
From this point, Chelsea had the momentum. Sturridge and Mata went close before a slick move led to a first of the season for Torres, who was clearly a yard offside on the television replays as he tapped Ashley Cole’s low cross into the net. There was no flag.
Reading threw men forward and in the fifth minute of added time Federici trotted forward to attack a corner. Hazard broke with the ball at his feet, sprinted nearly the full length of the pitch and pulled a pass square to Ivanovic, who tucked his second of the season into an open goal.
In his last 20 league games, Hazard has conjured 13 goals, 13 assists and won seven penalties. And, with six points and six goals in two Premier League games, Chelsea are on top.
Here was a Super Cup with a difference: the champions of Europe against the champions of the Football League. And what a super game. Maybe it will catch on.
MATCH FACTS
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Mikel (Sturridge 68), Lampard; Ramires (Oscar 57), Hazard, Mata (Meireles 84); Torres.
Subs not used: Turnbull, Essien, Romeu, Bertrand.
Goals: Lampard (pen) 18, Cahill 70, Torres 81, Ivanovic 90
Reading: Federici; Gunter, Harte, Gorkss, Pearce; Leigertwood, Guthrie, Karacan (Le Fondre 72), McAnuff, McCleary (Robson-Kanu 86); Pogrebnyak (Hunt 77)
Subs not used: McCarthy, Mariappa, Tabb, Cummings.
Goals: Pogrebniak 25, Guthrie 29
Booked: Karacan, Pogrebnyak
Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 41,733
=====================
Mirror:
Chelsea 4-2 Reading: Royals outstripped in Prem's game of Russian roulette
Abramovich's men are almost caught with their pants down by Zingarevich's new boys but win with the help of a non-Russian linesman
Eden Hazard is providing all the answers to Chelsea's £64million question.
Hazard looks to be the best investment on Roman Abramovich's huge summer spending spree as the £32m Belgian forward masterminded a crucial and yet unconvincing victory to put Chelsea top of the table.
All the familiar traits are there.
Chelsea were vulnerable at the back, got lucky on Fernando Torres' crucial third goal and the fans left Stamford Bridge knowing the champions of Europe did not always look in command of their own backyard.
Abramovich spent that £64m on Hazard, Brazilian forward Oscar and German midfielder Marko Marin with the intention of turning his club into a more attractive team.
They certainly provided the entertainment even if some of the thrills and spills came from disastrous mistakes rather than attacking brilliance.
Keeper Petr Cech was guilty of a rare howler, his opposite number Adam Federici will beat himself up over two of the goals he conceded and the home side's defence did little to inspire confidence.
They still look a long way short of the finished article, as Roberto di Matteo admitted afterwards, and whether the Italian can turn them from Champions League winners into champions of their own country is anyone's guess.
It certainly looked as if winning the Premier League would be a harder task on this evidence.
But if one player has stepped forward to provide genuine hope of sustained success then it is Hazard.
Of Chelsea's six goals, Hazard has provided three assists and won the penalties that were turned in to two more.
But this game - brought forward because of their involvement in the European Super Cup final on Friday week - has given them momentum and belief.
Hazard has given them extra drive and his trickery in the 17th minute tempted Reading right-back Chris Gunter into a clumsy challenge to concede an early penalty.
Just as he did at Wigan on Sunday, Frank Lampard provided the finishing touch as he converted from the penalty spot.
It is becoming a familiar one-two and Hazard is already the trusted supply line.
But just when you thought Chelsea would run away with it, back came Reading.
Gareth McCleary's right wing cross found Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and the Russian powered a bullet header past Cech.
Cech could not have been blamed for that one. Chelsea defender Gary Cahill was beaten to the punch by Pogrebnyak.
But Reading's second goal left one of the most reliable keepers in Europe with egg on his face.
Danny Guthrie's 25-yard free-kick should have meat and drink for Cech but he somehow spilled the ball, let it through his hands and it trickled into the far corner.
It put Reading into dreamland.
Reading's billionaire owner Anton Zingarevich was wearing a bigger smile than his Russian countryman Abramovich at that moment.
The visiting fans were celebrating as if they could not quite believe their luck.
Suddenly, the Chelsea fans and their gloating chants on their European homecoming had fallen silent as they became more desperate as the game wore on.
As they ran out of ideas and time, Chelsea were gifted two pieces of luck.
First, Hazard's square pass teed up Cahill and while the Chelsea defender's low shot was fierce, Federici - who had also gaffed to let in Stoke's goal on Saturday - let it go straight through him.
Cahill's 69th minute leveller suddenly gave Chelsea a new impetus.
They also had another slice of good fortune for their third.
Torres was a virtual bystander for Chelsea's march to European glory. But the £50m striker must be thinking his time has finally come.
Torres started the move, found Juan Mata who spread it wide to Ashley Cole and the England left-back's low cross was inch perfect.
Scorer Torres, however, was at least a yard offside but referee Lee Mason and linesman Andy Halliday missed it and the Spaniard tapped in from point-blank range.
You have to admire Reading for chasing an equaliser even in the fifth minute of injury time.
Federici went forward for a corner, left his goal unguarded and Hazard led a break when the ball was cleared and then squared it for Branislav Ivanovic to tap home.
Hazard has already proved to be worth his weight in gold with his assists.
If he starts getting in among the goals too, then he will really will be considered to be a bargain.
===================
Sun:
Chelsea 4 Reading 2
POINT TO PROVE ... Fernando Torres rumbled Reading with a late strike
By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
IT was the night Stamford Bridge turned into the Garden of Eden as Chelsea returned to the top.
In fact if Eden Hazard carries on like this then comparisons with Blues legend Gianfranco Zola may not be enough.
Roman Abramovich paid Lille a whopping £32million for Hazard but yesterday, as Chelsea went top for the first time in 519 days, it looked like his best-ever buy.
On the day Prince Harry was pictured naked in a Las Vegas hotel room, Hazard laid bare the Royals’ defensive frailties and led his side to a resounding victory.
He won the 18th-minute penalty that Frank Lampard converted and even set up Branislav Ivanovic’s 90th-minute strike to round things off nicely.
But Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo has ref Lee Mason and his assistant to thank for allowing Fernando Torres’ key third goal to stand when the Spain striker was clearly a yard offside.
It broke Reading’s hearts and we can do without many more Premier League matches finishing with the hot favourite getting such a blatant decision at the expense of a massive underdog.
Di Matteo has clearly yet to find the right blend despite having some of the best talent in the world at his disposal.
The Italian admitted as much afterwards but also purred about Belgian playmaker Hazard, 21, who was at the centre of attention and at the heart of the action.
Early on he won the ball in midfield and burst into the box to collect Juan Mata’s pass — but fired wide with his left foot.
Then, on seven minutes, Ramires forced a fine save from Royals stopper Adam Federici when, really, he should have squared to Torres who was ready for the tap-in.
And what a shame because the move was sublime with five one-touch passes proving Abramovich’s dream of a champagne Chelsea side is not far off.
“Champions of Europe, we know what we are,” sang the Bridge faithful.
And, after 18 minutes, they got the goal they had been waiting for when Hazard worked his way into the box and sold a dummy to Chris Gunter, who brought him down for a stonewall penalty.
Up stepped Lampard to plant it past Federici.
But, all of a sudden, Reading were level after 25 minutes.
Gareth McCleary crossed for Pavel Pogrebnyak, who nipped ahead of John Terry and powered a precise header past Petr Cech.
Four minutes later, it got even worse for the hosts.
Skipper Terry was lucky to escape a booking for a blatant trip on Jobi McAnuff, who had flown past Ivanovic on the edge of the box.
Danny Guthrie took the resulting free-kick which bounced harmlessly in front of Cech before the Czech stopper diverted it into his own net.
Reading’s very own Russian oligarch Anton Zingarevich and his model wife Katsia were watching from the stands and looked on in disbelief.
And if John Obi Mikel had not tracked back to thwart McAnuff as Ivanovic went missing, it could have been 3-2 to the visitors as punch-drunk Chelsea were trying to regain their composure.
Pogrebnyak won virtually every battle with Terry in the first half and England boss Roy Hodgson, watching from the stands, will have no doubt raised an eyebrow.
Just before the interval Terry bundled Reading’s Russian giant into the ground, Ian Harte swung in the free-kick and Alex Pearce just failed to nod home.
Chelsea struggled but Hazard never faltered. Before half-time he crossed brilliantly for Torres, who headed wide.
Di Matteo gave Oscar his home debut after 56 minutes, taking off the £25million summer signing’s fellow Brazilian Ramires.
Shortly after, Oscar forced a diving save from Federici.
As desperately as they were trying, Chelsea just could not find a breakthrough.
Cue another change, with Daniel Sturridge replacing Mikel.
Within seconds Hazard fed defender Gary Cahill who tried his luck from distance.
His effort swerved but this time it was Federici’s turn to push the ball into his own net.
It was yet another howler for the Reading keeper, four days after he let Michael Kightly’s shot squirm home against Stoke.
Royals boss Brian McDermott gave the keeper his full backing but it was a turning point as, nine minutes from the end, Torres started and ended a move that also involved Mata and Ashley Cole before the No 9 tapped home.
Yes, he was offside by a yard. Yes, the ref and his assistant Andy Halliday missed it — but Chelsea were not complaining.
Royals boss Brian McDermott said: “I’m gutted the linesman got that decision wrong. It was clearly offside which is really disappointing for us.
“It was unfortunate but that’s life. It’s just a shame he made a mistake on such a crucial goal.”
Chelsea still had to survive a late onslaught by brave Reading but they hung on for dear life.
Then, at the death, Torres won the ball and released Hazard with Federici up for a Reading corner.
Hazard bombed forward and with only Gunter to beat, he set up Ivanovic to tap home.
It was Hazard’s fifth assist in two games, including the two penalties he has won. Pure class.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS:
STAR MAN — EDEN HAZARD (Chelsea)
CHELSEA: Cech 4, Ivanovic 5, Cahill 5, Terry 4, Cole 6, Mikel 7 (Sturridge 6), Lampard 7, Ramires 6 (Oscar 6), Eden Hazard 8, Mata 7 (Meireles 5), Torres 6. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Essien, Romeu, Bertrand.
READING: Federici 6, Gunter 6, Pearce 6, Gorkss 6, Harte 6, Karacan 5 (Le Fondre 5), McAnuff 6, Leigertwood 7, Guthrie 7, McCleary 6 (Robson-Kanu 5), Pogrebnyak 7 (Hunt 5). Subs Not Used: McCarthy, Mariappa, Tabb, Cummings.
====================
Express:
CHELSEA 4 - READING 2: HERO FERNANDO TORRES TOES PARTY LINE
Thursday August 23,2012
By Tony Banks
NINETY FIVE days after that famous night in Munich when they lifted the Champions League, the conquering heroes returned.
The party was all set with the banners flying – but as Chelsea celebrated by going top of the league, they knew it had been a very close thing indeed.
Fernando Torres eased their nerves with a goal nine minutes from time from what looked like an offside position. And Branislav Ivanovic added the gloss with an injury-time breakaway as Chelsea came back from 2-1 down against a plucky and unlucky Reading.
But, top of the pile for the first time since November 2010, Chelsea could count their blessings. Ahead through Frank Lampard’s penalty, promoted Reading stunned them with goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie.
A goalkeeping blunder from Adam Federici handed Gary Cahill the equaliser, and then Torres and Ivanovic ensured that the party-goers went home happy. But they will have to do better than this.
The party was all set with the banners flying – but as Chelsea celebrated by going top of the league, they knew it had been a very close thing indeed
Manager Roberto Di Matteo made two changes from the team that won at Wigan on Sunday. Centre-half David Luiz, who had a knee injury, was replaced by Cahill and Ramires returned after illness in place of Ryan Bertrand.
Again though, £25million Brazilian new boy Oscar had to settle for a place on the bench. Chelsea went into the game having won nine out of their past 11 games at Stamford Bridge and having already spent £68m in the summer, with more to come before the transfer window closes.
But look beneath the sheen that Champions League and FA Cup-winning feats gave the end of last season, and it was in the league where Chelsea fell down, a final position of sixth the lowest in the Roman Abramovich era.
It was that inconsistency which Di Matteo admitted had to be rectified this year. It was that frailty, too, which gave Brian McDermott’s team – total spend £5m – hope. Too many times last season Chelsea stuttered in games they should have won. The fans who packed Stamford Bridge last night wanted to see if those failings had been ironed out.
It was £32m man Eden Hazard, who so sparkled on his debut on Sunday, who nearly got things off to the perfect start inside two minutes, as he raced clear only to drill a fraction wide. Then Ramires forced a save out of Federici.
Reading won 15 of their last 19 games last season to clinch their return to the top flight. But they seemed to have learned early on that this was a different ball game.
The electric Hazard burst down the left in the 18th minute and a baffled Chris Gunter tripped him in the area. It was the second game running where the Belgian’s trickery had won a penalty. And it was the same result – Lampard rammed the spot-kick home.
McDermott’s team though have an in-built belief and desire. Within seven minutes they stunned the Champions League holders, as Garath McCleary crossed from the right and former Fulham man Pogrebnyak got in front of Cahill to glance home a fine goal.
Four minutes later Jobi McAnuff was felled on the edge of the box, earning John Terry a yellow card. Guthrie’s free-kick was straight at Petr Cech, but somehow, unbelievably, the ball squirmed out of his hands and into the net and Reading were ahead. It should have been three as Alex Pearce missed by an inch.
As Torres nodded wide and then Ivanovic blazed over, there was a puzzled air about Stamford Bridge. Munich seemed a very long time ago.
Reading were pressing high up the pitch, and all Chelsea’s earlier fluency had disappeared. On went Oscar to try to unlock the Reading door as Chelsea cranked up the pressure. Hazard’s trickery and pace offered Chelsea’s best hope of breaking the deadlock. Time and again the Belgian caused panic with his mazy runs. But the end product was not there.
A long-range effort finally did it – and another goalkeeping howler. Cahill let fly fom fully 30 yards, and Federici, who dropped a clanger in Reading’s opening game against Stoke, was again at fault. The Australian somehow allowed the ball to slide through him into the corner.
Now Reading had their backs to the wall. Juan Mata and substitute Daniel Sturridge both missed, but 10 minutes from time they cracked. Ashley Cole popped up on the right and Torres, who looked a mile offside, was clear to slot home his low pass. In the dying minutes Chelsea broke clear and Hazard set up Ivanovic who slotted home.
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Star:
CHELSEA 4 - READING 2: BLUES TOP IT OFF AFTER BIG FRIGHT NIGHT
The victory against Reading at Stamford Bridge sent Chelsea top of the league for the first time since November 2010
By Paul Brown
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH wanted sexy football but he’ll be getting his knickers in a twist every week at this rate.
Chelsea were slaughtered for parking the bus and winning the Champions League with a series of negative, backs-to-the-wall performances last season.
They will certainly be more exciting this season if this six-goal thriller is anything to go by.
But it took a controversial late goal from Fernando Torres to see off Premier League new-boys Reading, who gave as good as they got all night.
It would have made uncomfortable viewing for Abramovich, whose side scored first through a Frank Lampard penalty but then went 2-1 down.
Goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie had them rocking before Gary Cahill equalised and Torres capped off the comeback.
The Spaniard was playing in his 150th Premier League match, and his decisive strike, which looked offside, was his 73rd goal in that time.
It was a victory which sent Chelsea top of the league for the first time since November 2010.
But you have to wonder if their new brand of attacking football will leave them exposed against better sides than Reading.
Even at the death they were hanging on for dear life against the Royals, who conceded a fourth when Eden Hazard picked out Branislav Ivanovic in stoppage time.
Blues new-boy Hazard made both goals against Wigan on Sunday and he picked up where had left off here.
The £32m man had the first chance when he raced on to Juan Mata’s pass only to fire wide from just inside the box.
Ramires was back after illness and he drew the first save of the match from Adam Federici after a sweeping break.
At this point, Reading could barely get a kick, and must have felt just like the Blues against Barcelona in that one-sided miracle win in the Nou Camp last season.
Their resistance finally cracked in the 17th minute when Hazard twisted and turned inside the box and tempted Chris Gunter into taking his legs away with a rash tackle.
Referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot and Lampard stepped up to smash home the penalty right-footed, low into the bottom corner.
Anyone who thought that was it for Reading was in for a surprise, because eight minutes later they were level.
Garath McCleary played a quick one-two with Jem Karacan to escape the attentions of Ashley Cole and swung a cross into the danger zone.
Pogrebnyak – who was such a revelation with Fulham last season – rose above a flat-footed Cahill to meet it, directing a glancing header past Petr Cech into the far corner.
Even better was to come for the visitors, who grabbed the lead when Cech misjudged a routine free kick from Guthrie, fumbling the ball into his own net.
Chelsea were all over the place. Manchester City had been given a similar scare on Sunday by Southampton, who went 2-1 up at Eastlands before losing.
But City equalised within four minutes in that game, whereas Chelsea went in at half time here looking extremely uncomfortable.
Things did not get much better for the home side at the start of the second half either, so on came Oscar in an attempt to add some samba magic. There were anxious moments for watching England boss Roy Hodgson when John Terry landed on his back after an aerial challenge from Alex Pearce.
Terry needed lengthy treatment but was fit enough to return, and it was just as well because Reading continued to look dangerous whenever they came forward.
Chelsea kept trying to thread neat little passes into gaps that just weren’t there, and it wasn’t long before Daniel Sturridge was called into action.
The equaliser came from an unlikely source. Cahill accepted a square ball from Hazard and fired it goalwards, and Federici succeeded only in helping it into the net.
Federici let a soft one in against Stoke at the weekend and he should have done better here too, despite Cahill’s effort from 30 yards being sweetly struck.
But even then you felt this game could go either way – until Torres struck with ten minutes left.
Cole was the provider, but the Spaniard looked offside as he tapped home the full-back’s low cross from point-blank range.
Reading tried valiantly to push for an equaliser but got caught cold on the break when Hazard raced clear and squared the ball for Ivanovic to slide home.
