Izuchukwu Okosi
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By Izuchukwu Okosi
Timo Werner was the star of the night for Chelsea in their enthralling 3-3 draw against FC Zenith on Match day 6 in the Champions League group stages in Wednesday night.
The draw ensured that Juventus that had beaten Swedish Malmo 1-0 finished as Group H leaders and guarantees to get an easier draw on Monday for the round of 16.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel made eight changes for the game as Kepa, Cesar Azpilicueta, Malang Sarr, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ross Barkley, Saul Niguez, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku all started with a few including N’golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic out injured.
Thomas Tuchel’s side went ahead in just the second minute when the much maligned Timo Werner converted Ross Barkley’s corner from close range following a flick on by Zenit’s Sardar Azmoun.
The Blues had chances to add to their tally but their sloppy defending at the back saw Zenit levelled in the 38th minute when Claudinho glanced a header past Spanish keeper Kepa after a mistake from Cesar Azpilicueta allowed Douglas Santos to send in a cross.
The Russians then went ahead just three minutes later as England international Barkley who has a Nigerian father, Peter Efanga, gave the ball away to Claudinho and Zenit played in Azmoun who rounded Kepa before firing his side in front.
Chelsea restored parity in the 62nd minute when a neat move led the returning Romelu Lukaku with a tap in as he was teed up by the impressive Timo Werner.
Chelsea scored what looked like the the game’s winning goal in the 85th minute as Christian Pulisic played in Werner who shifted inside before firing home a clinical finish past ‘keeper Mikhail Kerzhakov.
However Zenit responded brilliantly as Sarr’s headed clearance fell straight to Magomed Ozdoev who rifled home a terrific finish from the edge of the box.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
