Chelsea equal record after mighty Maribor scare
(Agencies) Updated: 2014-11-06 09:43
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Chelsea's Eden Hazard reacts after missing to score a penalty against Maribor during their Champions League Group G soccer match at stadium Ljudski vrt in Maribor November 5, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
MARIBOR, Slovenia - Chelsea stretched their unbeaten start to the season to a club record-equalling 16 games with a 1-1 Champions League draw against Maribor on Wednesday but the 2012 winners were given a mighty scare.
The Slovenian upstarts, destroyed 6-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, took the lead in the 50th minute when Macedonia winger Agim Ibraimi curled in a spectacular left-foot shot from the edge of the box.
Maribor, buoyed by a noisy crowd, swarmed all over Jose Mourinho's side and had a great chance to make it 2-0 on the hour when unmarked teenager Luka Zahovic blazed the ball over the bar from six metres with an open goal at his mercy.
Chelsea then upped the tempo and Nemanja Matic equalised with a tap-in at the far post after captain John Terry had headed on a right-wing corner from Cesc Fabregas in the 73rd minute.
The Londoners spurned an excellent opportunity to grab all three points when Eden Hazard was tripped in the box with four minutes to go. The Belgian picked himself up to take the penalty but his effort was saved by Jasmin Handanovic.
Group G leaders Chelsea still look well placed to qualify for the knockout stages with eight points from four games.
Schalke 04 have five points after losing 4-2 at Sporting Lisbon (four) on Wednesday and Maribor (three) are also in with a chance.
A grim-faced Mourinho, who brought on Diego Costa and Oscar for Andre Schuerrle and Willian at halftime and also replaced Filipe Luis with Ramires 11 minutes into the second half, was clearly unhappy with his side.
"We didn't play well in the first half ... and when you don't play well for 90 minutes you take a risk," the Portuguese told Sky Sports television.
"In the last 30 minutes we started to play really well with intensity and desire and we had a lot of chances but their keeper was magnificent."
