Chelsea youngsters take the spotlight despite the Blues finishing the group-stage with a lacklustre draw against Krasnodar.
Academy graduates Billy Gilmour and Faustino Anjorin were the shining light in a stale 1-1 draw against Krasnodar at Stamford Bridge.
The goals were scored by Remy Cabella and Jorginho in a match that lacked a serious cutting edge.
Both teams were simply playing for pride in their final match of Group E, as the Blues had already topped the group and the Russians had already confirmed third spot and a place in the Europa League.
Frank Lampard took the opportunity to rest several first team players, making 10 changes from the side that beat Leeds at the weekend.
It gave the Chelsea manager a chance to field Anjorin, who made his Champions League debut with his first ever start for the West London club.
Whilst Gilmour, who hadn’t started for Chelsea since undergoing surgery on his knee in July, also featured from the off.
Following the match Lampard hailed both youngsters’ contribution on the night, “Tino showed a real ability to step straight into the level, in terms of ability on the ball, his physical attributes to protect the ball and run shone through well.
As for Billy I thought he was outstanding on his return, so I expect more of the same from him as he gets stronger now that he is past his injury.” Said the Chelsea manager.
The hosts started slowly and fell behind midway through the first half when former Newcastle winger Remy Cabella beat Kepa Arrizabalaga at his near post.
However, the Blues were not behind for long as four minutes later as Tammy Abraham was fouled by Kaio Pantaleao in the box and Jorginho converted the resulting penalty.
Chelsea upped their levels following the break, but the match lacked many clear-cut chances throughout.
Anjorin was at the heart of every dangerous attack the hosts had in the second half, seeing his goal-bound effort blocked by Alyaksandr Martynovich.
That was before he created the best chance in the second half, playing Kai Havertz through on goal, only for the German to mis-control and allow the Krasnodar keeper, Yevgeni Gorodov, to smother the ball.
The 19-year-old English midfielder was eventually subbed off in the 80th minute to a standing ovation from the 2000 fans in attendance at Stamford Bridge.
Following the match Anjorin was delighted to make his full debut in front of his family and friends he said, “It’s an amazing night for me and family and to have the fans back now as well, on my full debut, it was an amazing atmosphere and an amazing night.
“I had lots of people asking for tickets but obviously because of Covid they couldn’t all come so I had to select a few but they’re all delighted for me.”
Anjorin felt he played well despite starting out of position on the left wing. “It was different, and it took me a while to get used to it but I thought on the ball I did well and it’s a performance I can definitely improve on.”
On his effort on goal the 19-year-old joked “It was going in, it had a little knuckle on it, it was definitely going into the top corner.”
By Sajidur Rahman
