Teenagers Billy Gilmour and Tino Anjorin played 90 and 80 minutes respectively as a much-changed Chelsea were unable to match last week’s performance in Seville, playing out a low-key 1-1 draw with Krasnodar in their Champions League dead rubber.
Despite largely controlling the first half, Chelsea lacked a cutting edge and seemed vulnerable on the break with Tony Vilhena shooting narrowly over, and Viktor Claesson skewing wide when well positioned in the area.
The presence of the beleaguered Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal added danger to any Krasnodar counterattack, and they took the lead when Remy Cabella slotted the first shot on target past the Spaniard after a well worked move off the left flank on 24 minutes.
Within minutes Chelsea were level, Jorginho passing into the corner from the penalty spot, after Kaio brought down Tammy Abraham as he turned smartly.
Abraham almost put Chelsea ahead quickly after but put a shot wide inside half an hour.
It was almost 40 minutes of game time before the next real chance, Abraham pouncing on Christian Ramirez’s hesitation inside his own box midway through the second half, but his low near-post shot was turned behind by Yevgeny Gorodov.
Gorodov then bravely came out to claim at the feet of Kai Havertz after he was slipped in by Anjorin.
A series of late substitutions for both teams did not majorly threaten to produce a winner as the game meandered to a conclusion, with Chelsea safely group winners, and Krasnodar safely in the Europa League.
Final Score – 1-1
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