SportsChelsea Grind Out A Goalless Draw At Home To Sevilla

Chelsea Grind Out A Goalless Draw At Home To Sevilla

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BEVERLY HILLS, October 20, (THEWILL) – English Premier League side Chelsea began their 2020/2021 Champions League campaign with a Stamford Bridge stalemate as they were held 0-0 by La Liga club Sevilla.

The keenly contested but even match between the clear favourites for progression from Group E produced scores of chances, but neither side could apply the finishing necessary to claim all three points.

Rennes’ draw with FK Krasnodar in France in the other match of the group meant that it was honours even across the group following the first Matchday.

Chelsea’s defensive problems had come in for scrutiny once again following a Premier League outing at the weekend that saw them held to a 3-3 draw by Southampton.

And coach Frank Lampard’s nerves will not have been helped by Thiago Silva’s failure to make a seemingly simple headed clearance during an early passage of play that led to the Argentine Lucas Ocampos shooting at goal, albeit from a marginally offside position.

That result against the Saints had no doubt contributed to a defensive reshuffle that saw the Senegalese Edouard Mendy replace Spanish No. 1 for Chelsea Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal among other changes.

The potential value of that particular goalkeeping exchange was apparent just 18 minutes into the fixture. Mendy’s stretch to claw away a Nemanja Gudelj header that had been diverted goalward by a deflection off Kurt Zouma was what kept the game goalless early on.

In the opposite end, Chelsea gave evidence of their own threat when Timo Werner produced his team’s first shot on target following a sweeping move involving the ever lively Reece James.

Yet, they could not entirely limit Sevilla, who came close through a Suso header following brilliant work from Argentine left back Marcos Acuna and an Ocampos shot that needed that Mendy save just prior to the whistle sounding.

Lampard opted against making substitutions at the interval. Yet, a tactical tweak he decided upon that saw Christian Pulisic move from the right side to the left almost paid immediate dividends.

The American’s quick feet earned Chelsea a corner that saw Zouma head on target, and he followed that with another dangerous cross from his preferred flank just seconds later.

With Pulisic benefiting from a direct approach, the Blues called for more thrust on the opposite wing with an hour gone as Hakim Ziyech replaced the ineffectual Mason Mount.

However, their opponents were by no means ready to give up their share of the points. Sevilla went close themselves when Spanish midfielder Joan Jordan, on for Sergi Gomez, showed great technique in volleying just over the bar from a corner.

In the end, though, both teams had to share the spoils evenly as none of these efforts found the back of the net.

THEWILL believes Lampard will take great encouragement from a hard-earned clean sheet for his side. It was not the neatest but it meant they were able to prevent the exploitation of defensive cracks that have been obvious of recent. Although Mendy wasn’t particularly busy, making just two saves, his handling was impressive enough to fill Blues fans with hope that they may have found their new number one.

Europa League holders Sevilla, on the other hand, created some chances, but the Blues new found solidity at the back did not avail them much opportunities to exploit.

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday when they travel north for a mouth-watering clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Sevilla, meanwhile, face Eibar at home in La Liga.

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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