Thursday February 14, 2013 Last 32 Finished Generali Arena
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Europa League - Super-sub Oscar steals win for Chelsea in Prague
Oscar scored within a minute of his introduction as Chelsea won 1-0 at Sparta Prague in their Europa League last 32 tie. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Sparta Prague
- Chelsea
90+3' FULL TIME: All done in Prague. Super-sub Oscar rescued a victory for Chelsea. The Blues were far from their best, but they have every chance of reaching the last 16.- 90+2' Kweuke and Zapotocny squeeze through at the far post, but the latter cannot get a shot away.
- 90+1' Repelled once again. The game petering out and the result will satisfy Benitez if not the performance.
- 90' Hazard and Lampard link up as Chelsea push down the left of the Sparta box.
- 89' Three minutes of added time to play in this match.
88' Sparta have made their final change with Bednar on for Husbauer.- 87' Time running out at the Stadion Letna - have Sparta got anything left?
- 86' Dreadful set piece from Matejovsky - looks like a miscommunication because it's side-footed straight to the Chelsea defenders.
- 85' Header from Svejdik at a set piece - just over the crossbar from the defender, and lands on the roof of the goal.
84' TORRES! Vicious shot aimed at the roof of the net, Vaclik left to tip it over for a corner.- 83' There had been no indication that Chelsea would do that, but Oscar with a touch of class has given Chelsea the chance to seal an away win and ease into the reverse leg at the Bridge.
82' OSCAR! CHELSEA LEAD! WHAT AN IMPACT! Played through by Hazard on a one-two, strokes the ball under Vaclik. That will do nicely.- 81' CHELSEA CHANGE: Oscar on, Mata off.
- 80' SPARTA CHANGE: Pamic replaces Krejci.
- 79' CLOSE! Kweuke hooks a shot at goal from a cross from the right. Not a million miles away, but just off target.
- 78' Sparta have looked comfortable all match, but they don't look like scoring at the moment.
- 77' Hazard and Mata almost slip through the middle, but once again the move fizzles out just as Chelsea threaten to break.
- 76' SPARTA CHANGE: Lafata off, Kweuke on.
- 75' Errant backheel ends another Chelsea move. But Svejdik gives away a foul to keep the Blues attacking.
- 74' From Chelsea’s last seven games on the road (all competitions), Frank Lampard has scored six goals. (Opta)
- 73' These two sides meet again a week from now at Stamford Bridge. Time running out for either to win an advantage.
- 72' Chelsea controlling possession in the final third, but not able to break down the Sparta defence.
- 71' Torres hits a first-time shot when the ball breaks his way 25 yards out - must have gone about that high over the bar. Painful watching.
- 70' LAMPARD! First chance of the half for Chelsea, with Mata's placed cross picking out the midfielder's run - his header is straight at Vaclik, but the move was good.
- 69' That's not a substitution likely to get Chelsea fans' pulses racing. Oscar remains unusued on the bench.
- 68' CHELSEA CHANGE: Marin off, Benayoun on
- 67' Dreadful set piece goes out swiftly for a Sparta goal kick. Here comes the change...
66' Husbauer goes into the book for a sliding tackle on Ramires - he got the Brazilian's boot, not the ball.- 65' Looks like both benches are finally readying some changes.
- 64' Mata and Hazard just not combining with the devastating effect that they have managed elsewhere in the season. Hazard the latest to give the ball away.
- 63' Some titters going around as word filters through that Brendan Rodgers said of Liverpool's 2-0 loss at Zenit that "apart from the opening 5-10 minutes it was a near perfect away performance."
- 62' Very few signs of life in this match. The draw looming ever larger.
- 61' Lafata thinks he's kept Matejovsky's ball in on the left-hand side, but the whistle blows just as he bears down on the penalty area.
- 60' And the Europa League is busy tonight with several ties live as we speak - you can keep an eye on them all HERE
- 59' FULL TIME IN RUSSIA - And not good news for Liverpool fans. The Zenit v Liverpool report is in. Read
- 58' Lampard tries another shy from range - this is not his finest effort, looping high over the crossbar.
- 57' Cahill brings down Krejci, who does hurl himself down as well in the move. Still, free kick from deep for the hosts.
- 56' Prague have scored just once in their last eight matches against English opposition, and in none of their last five at home. (Opta)
- 55' Neither side has made a change yet - but the game does feel like it's starting to get a ltitle stretched.
- 54' Would Chelsea be OK with a goalless draw? On balance, that's the most likely result at present.
- 53' Nice little exchange from Chelsea - Mata and Hazard combine, but it fizzles out as the ball goes into the box.
- 52' Ivanovic holds off Kadlec but his clearance goes straight to Lafata. Chance opens up for Sparta Prague.
- 51' Space opens up for Hybs - he swings a shot away from 25 yards and Cech gathers.
- 50' Chelsea going nowhere fast. Torres remonstrating with the assistant referee after being challenged and not winning a free kick.
- 49' Shake of the head from Vacha as he's penalised for fouling Marin. Didn't look to be a lot in that challenge.
- 48' Krejci - was that a shot or a cross? Either way it skews out for a throw. Forgettable.
- 47' Sparta looked pretty comfortable in that first half. Chelsea, fielding eight players who started on Saturday, looked tired by comparison.
46' Chelsea kick off in the second half.
- What did you make of the first half? Will Chelsea get their act together in the second? Have your say by tweeting me @Mark_Eurosport. Follow!- 45' HALF TIME: Just seconds of injury time before Daniele Orsato blows his whistle. Chelsea lacklustre, Sparta Prague not good enough to take advantage. Score about right so far.
- 45' Dipping shot from Lampard from all of 25 yards - parried down by Vaclik and caught at the second attempt.
- 44' Corner for Sparta Prague just as the half nears a close. But Chelsea clear and break upfield quickly.
- 43' Benitez will be looking forward to half time - a few things need to be said to the Blues about this performance. First of those: up the tempo.
- 42' Less than impresive cross from Hybs after Krejci had weighted a nice pass down the line to him on the left.
- 41' Yellow card for Cahill - a very clumsy challenge on Lafata at halfway just as Sparta were threatening to break.
- 40' Chelsea heve won none of their last four away games in all competitions (D3 L1). (Opta)
- 39' Just not happening for Torres at the moment, is it? And time is running out swiftly for him to convince anyone he's the man for the long-term at Stamford Bridge.
- 38' Torres in with another chance, but the ball was just behind him and he can't quite poke a shot away left-footed.
- 37' Marin goes down after a rough challenge from Lafata. Just a free kick, no booking.
- 36' Marin tries a delicate chipped through ball as Chelsea look for a way into the penalty area. No joy - it comes straight back and Sparta return to the front foot. Lafata has a half-chance smashed just wide of the post.
- 35' TORRES! Half a chance on the counter-attack as Mata breaks and releases his compatriot. Torres tries to poke it but not enough conviction or power behind the finish.
- 34' Ivanovic has to give away a corner as Husbauer surges forward. The hosts are growing with confidence, and Chelsea are sluggish.
- 33' Krejci ushered out on the far side by Azpilicueta. So far the Spaniard has been one of the better players on the pitch for Chelsea.
- 32' Hazard surges forward at the other end, but that's a chance gone begging for Sparta Prague and that's still hanging over the play.
- 31' LAFATA! SHOULD BE 1-0 TO SPARTA! He was left on his own and when Mata deflected a shot into his path it should have been buried. Instead it was hooked wide.
- 30' Marin can't keep the ball in and concedes a throw on halfway.
- 29' Sparta Prague holding their own here. Chelsea look as if they could go up a gear or two, but haven't yet.
- 28' Snapshot from Krejci, curled from just otuside the area. Cech has to save, but it's a comfortable one at head height.
- 27' Krejci felled as he bursts into the box but the referee says Azpilicueta was blameless and waves play on.
- 26' Kadlec drops the ball back after a deft one-two, but Matejovsky's shot from just outside the area is skied over the bar.
- 25' Chelsea not exactly forcing the pace here - they seem happy to allow Sparta Prague the ball in their own half.
- 24' Svejdik ushers the Czechs out of their own half and spreads the play.
- 23' Nicely done from Bertrand, bursting down the left, to keep the ball in play, and he's strong enough to hold his marker off the ball and lay it back to Marin.
- 22' Chelsea have played just two matches in the Czech Republic (W1 D1) and are yet to concede a goal. (Opta)
- 21' Ivanovic calm under pressure from Lafata - he is running towards his own goal, but turns and clears with confidence.
- 20' The crowd excited as Zapotocny breaks forward on the right, but Chelsea's offside trap has come up trumps.
- 19' Lampard with a ball forward, but surprisingly aimless. Sparta back in possession.
- 18' Remember you can keep up with the latest scores from all the Europa League ties tonight as they happen. Just click here
- 17' Lampard again with a shot at goal, but that one's no danger for Vaclik. Sparta Prague rebuild slowly.
- 16' A warning for Chelsea there - the Blues got things right in the end against Wigan at the weekend but they are still fragile at the back.
- 15' CLOSE! LAFATA! Zapotocny plays in a whipped cross from deep on the right, and it opens up for Lafata to try a volley - he stretches for it and knocks it high, but the visitors were exposed there.
- 14' Lampard looks to splash a long diagonal ball out to Mata, but that's a little ambitious even for a man in his form.
- 13' Ramires now gives away a foul as Matejovsky looks to move forward into the Blues' half.
- 12' Azpilicueta forced to go backwards and drop the ball back to Ramires. The game going nowhere fast at the minute.
- 11' Chelsea in control at the moment - very little shown from the hosts after some solid early passes.
- 10' Sparta Prague have won none of their last 10 clashes with English teams in Europe; losing seven. (Opta)
- 9' Marin cut off by Zapotocny just as he was going into the box. That sets up a tasty-looking free kick chance for Hazard on the corner of the area.
- 8' Torres wins a corner after his shot loops over the bar via a deflection.
- 7' HAZARD! Lovely move, made by Marin who ran in from the left on the counter and cut the ball back for Hazard - the shot flashes just across goal.
- 6' Matajovsky plays Kadlec in down the right, and the winger wins a throw in a useful position.
- 5' Chelsea just beginning to take control. Hazard down the right cuts the ball back to Mata, whose low ball very nearly slips in Torres. Corner.
- 4' Lampard tries a shot from all of 25 yards after Mata's run. Good first-time hit, and Vaclik has to deal with a ball that skids just in front of him. Typical Lampard.
- 3' Sparta Prague have not played a competitive match since December - they've had a couple of warm-ups but they should certainly be fresh.
- 2' "Chelsea will come out with a draw today," predicts Dawit Francisco on Twitter. Early stages at the Generali Arena, but the home side, playing in red, have settled well.
1' Away we go in Prague!- 17:57 And for all the latest news as it happens in the world of sport, @EurosportCom_En has you covered. Join in here!
- 17:55 I'm Mark Patterson, and I'll be taking you through this match. You can find me on Twitter and bend my ear on Fernando Torres, Sparta Prague or whatever else takes your fancy (within reason) @Mark_Eurosport Follow!
- 17:50 Big day for Petr Cech, of course, who returns to his former club. He broke a finger last week but is going to play regardless.
- 17:45 Chelsea and Sparta Prague met previously in the group stages of the Champions League in 2003/04. Chelsea won the match in the Czech Republic, with the London clash finishing in a draw.
- 17:40 Rafael Benitez: “The reality is that we are a team in transition. The priority is to finish in the top four or top three. After that, we have two more trophies that we can try with the FA Cup and the Europa League. In terms of flights and games it's like the Champions League, in terms of mentality, the first thought is ‘hmm, it's different’. But if you see the teams that are in the Europa League, you will see it could be quite difficult. I'm expecting that they will be focused."
- 17:35 Vítezslav Lavicka: "We want to build on our performances from the autumn part of the Europa League, when we fared well both tactically and technically against strong European opponents. It will be really nice for the fans and players to come up against Petr (Cech) in his old home. We have prepared well and have a lot of information about our rivals, They are the favourites, but the group stage matches showed that we can compete with anyone."
- 17:30 The hosts will be without Jiri Jarosik, Pavel Kaderabek and Tomas Prikryl, all of whom are injured. The absence of midfielder and skipper Jarosik was described as "cruel" by his manager, as the former Czech international played for Chelsea seven years ago.
- 17:25 Key news for Chelsea, then is that Frank Lampard continues to start, while John Terry is on the bench. Marin is rewarded for his goal-scoring cameo with a chance to make a rare start, while Torres continues alone up front in the absence of Demba Ba.
- 17:20 SPARTA PRAGUE: Vaclik, Svejdik, Matejovksy, Lafata, Kadlec, Hybs, Zapotocny, Husbauer, Krejci, Holek, Vacha - Subs - Cech, Pamic, Kweuke, Vidlicka, Polom, Bendar, Janos /// CHELSEA: Cech; Azpilicueta, Iva, Cahill, Bertrand; Ramires, Lampard; Marin, Mata, Hazard; Torres - Subs - Turnbull, Ferreira, Cole, Terry, Ake, Oscar, Benayoun
- 17:15 Hello and welcome to live text commentary from the Europa League, where Chelsea travel to Sparta Prague to begin their campaign. The first leg of the last 32 match-up begins at 18:00 UK time.
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Summary
- 84' TORRES! Vicious shot aimed at the roof of the net, Vaclik left to tip it over for a corner.
- 82' OSCAR! CHELSEA LEAD! WHAT AN IMPACT! Played through by Hazard on a one-two, strokes the ball under Vaclik. That will do nicely.
- 79' CLOSE! Kweuke hooks a shot at goal from a cross from the right. Not a million miles away, but just off target.
- 70' LAMPARD! First chance of the half for Chelsea, with Mata's placed cross picking out the midfielder's run - his header is straight at Vaclik, but the move was good.
- 35' TORRES! Half a chance on the counter-attack as Mata breaks and releases his compatriot. Torres tries to poke it but not enough conviction or power behind the finish.
- 31' LAFATA! SHOULD BE 1-0 TO SPARTA! He was left on his own and when Mata deflected a shot into his path it should have been buried. Instead it was hooked wide.
- 15' CLOSE! LAFATA! Zapotocny plays in a whipped cross from deep on the right, and it opens up for Lafata to try a volley - he stretches for it and knocks it high, but the visitors were exposed there.
- 7' HAZARD! Lovely move, made by Marin who ran in from the left on the counter and cut the ball back for Hazard - the shot flashes just across goal.
- 17:20 SPARTA PRAGUE: Vaclik, Svejdik, Matejovksy, Lafata, Kadlec, Hybs, Zapotocny, Husbauer, Krejci, Holek, Vacha - Subs - Cech, Pamic, Kweuke, Vidlicka, Polom, Bendar, Janos /// CHELSEA: Cech; Azpilicueta, Iva, Cahill, Bertrand; Ramires, Lampard; Marin, Mata, Hazard; Torres - Subs - Turnbull, Ferreira, Cole, Terry, Ake, Oscar, Benayoun
Team Line-up & Ratings
Sparta PragueManager: Vitezslav Lavicka
ChelseaManager: Rafael Benítez
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- T. Vaclík
- T. Zápotocny
- O. Švejdík
- M. Holek
- M. Hybs
- L. Vácha
- J. Hušbauer
- M. Matejovský
- V. Kadlec
- L. Krejcí
- D. Lafata
Subs
Starting line-up
- P. Cech
- Azpilicueta
- B. Ivanovic
- G. Cahill
- R. Bertrand
- F. Lampard
- Ramires
- M. Marin
- J. Mata
- E. Hazard
- F. Torres
Subs
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Rate Players
81′ 
Chelsea will win the Europe League. TORRES IS THE BEST STRIKER IN THE HOLE WORLD
Top quality goal Oscar.Well done.Carefree....
torres is still one of the best strikers in the world.
Things that should be improved at Chelsea: I think some Chelsea players are not physically fit (strong) which EPL demands. Chelsea's performance in each game is not constant. Some day they play well on the other day their performance is poor.The club most of the time use Torres which resulted in weak result for the club. Please play well; win each game and avoid your criticism. The Manager, should work for the benefit of himself to continue with club otherwise you he will be sacked by the owner as it has been common by the club. the Club has talented players but the result do not go with the their quality. WHAT IS THE MAIN CHELSAE'S problem? Regular change of the manager (my opinion).
Marco Marin is very Well !!!
A Poor Performance , But A GOOD RESULT , Just Hope Luiz Is Playing In The Game At The Bridge !!!
Torres,floats like a butterfly&stings like a butterfly...CFC forever,forever CFC....
when is ba back ?
comment 80 amir: what shet breed u are????? I have never seen a donkey kok than u. you are not chelsea fan or sparta fan what the fak u doing here.. go away fakin wenker...i gave u good doze last time i think it wasnt enough. you try and sell ur cheap, stinky, ripped bum on chelsea articles and games. go play cricket footabll is non of ur business wenker hope now u will have peace for some time....
It is my opinion that some Chelsea players are over used or must sit on the bench for a few games. I would name Torres and co. who play the same style days in days out, on the snow or in the rain. Other players who could lift the team reputation are deliberated left on the bench. Chelsea needs a good coach to help elevate football in EPL. In the country (league) of blind men, a one eyed individual is KING or leader. We, fans need and demand competition not coronation.
LIKE
Bout time , Wot going on
Not the best we can do but a 1.0 win will do for now.
want LYON to win , just to make SUPER SPURS! night . HAHAHAHAHA
Chelsea win!!!!! In your face haters hahahahahaha
YEAAAAA
Good for Chelsea having in mind they play 10 players (can not count torres as player) against 11
chelsea Champions of Europe
Champions of Europe!!!!! We know what we are!!!!!!!
Match ratings
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Man of the match
Oscar - Chelsea
May only have been on for eight minutes, but did more than anyone else in a dour match to determine the result on the night.