Huddersfield Town have secured safety in the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Chelsea dominated the opening 50 minutes but Huddersfield took the lead when Laurent Depoitre capitalised on Willy Caballero and Antonio Rudiger going to ground before tapping into the net from 12 yards.
Marcos Alonso equalised in fortuitious circumstances but the Terriers held on to secure the point that they required to guarantee another 12 months in the top flight.
Find out how all of the action unfolded at Stamford Bridge courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Chelsea and Huddersfield Town. Both teams are scrapping for places at either end of the table but who will prevail in West London on Wednesday evening? Let's see who features in each starting lineup...
CHELSEA XI: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Zappacosta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Pedro
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Eduardo, Cahill, Moses, Bakayoko, Barkley, Hazard, Giroud
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN XI: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe; Kongolo, Hogg, Billing, Mooy, Van La Parra; Depoitre
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN SUBSTITUTES: Coleman, Malone, Pritchard, Ince, Quaner, Mounie, Hadergjonaj
Let's start with Chelsea as Antonio Conte opts to make a number of changes from the team which began the fixture with Liverpool. The most notable switch comes in goal as Willy Caballero replaces Thibaut Courtois, who we assume has picked up a knock in training.
Gary Cahill has also been handed a rest by his boss as Andreas Christensen returns to the centre of defence, while Davide Zappacosta is preferred to Victor Moses at right wing-back.
In the middle of the pitch, Conte has decided to ditch the three-man midfield with Tiemoue Bakayoko dropping to the bench. It means that both Pedro and Willian have been brought back into the team to partner Alvaro Morata, who has recovered from injury.
Recalls for the front three mean that Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud only feature on the bench. Conte is obviously trying to keep players fresh for Sunday in the event that a result is required at Newcastle United, but it feels like a bit of a risk to take two in-form players out of the team.
As for Huddersfield, David Wagner has opted to make three alterations from the team which began the goalless draw at Manchester City. There is a change in attack with Laurent Depoitre being preferred to Steve Mounie, who only features on the bench.
Wagner has also taken the decision to bring Rajiv van La Parra back into the mix with Alex Pritchard being named among the replacements. The third and final switch sees Philip Billing being given the chance to impress in midfield, with Florent Hadergjonaj also on the bench.
Wagner did have doubts over both Terence Kongolo and Chris Lowe but both are fit enough to start in West London. Tom Ince has been absent for nearly a month but the winger is in reserve for tonight's match.
Simply put, Chelsea need to win this match if they want to retain hope of a top-four place. If the Blues can win their remaining two fixtures, it means that Liverpool cannot afford to miss out on victory against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur are unable to lose to either Newcastle United or Leicester City.
As for Huddersfield, the Terriers will remain in the Premier League with a point from tonight's game or the one at home to Arsenal on Sunday. Southampton's victory over Swansea City has left things simple for Huddersfield in one regard but it is still a big ask to gain a positive result against either of the London teams.
Huddersfield stunned pretty much everyone by holding Manchester City to a goalless draw on Sunday and Conte has been full of praise for tonight's opposition. Click here to see what the Italian has to say.
Conte has also acknowledged that Chelsea may pay for a period where they dropped "stupid" points. It's needed a run of 13 points from six games to get the West Londoners back into contention.
If Chelsea miss out on the top four, it will be just the third time in 16 attempts. That's not bad for a team who have had 12 managers since September 2000.
Tonight's game marks Chelsea's 500th home contest in the Premier League. As many as 313 wins and 120 draws have been recorded.
Chelsea have been indebted to Giroud in recent weeks. The Frenchman has netted just five times since January, but three important goals have come in fixtures against Southampton while the former Arsenal man scored the winner against Liverpool at the weekend. It's a surprise to only see him on the bench tonight, regardless of the schedule.
However, the recall of Cahill has been equally as important. The centre-back has played every minute of the club's recent resurgence with just one goal being conceded in 390 minutes plus added-on time. Like with Giroud, we did not expect to see the England centre-back kept in reserve.
Huddersfield deserve all of their praise for shutting out Man City but scoring goals remains an issue. Just two have been netted in eight matches!
In total, Huddersfield have failed to score in 20 matches. If they fail to find the back of the net again this season, they will match Derby County's 10-year record.
The Terriers are also looking to avoid an unwanted record. Failure to score tonight would see the club reach 14 away games without a goal.
We will continue on a less-than-positive theme. Huddersfield have suffered seven consecutive defeats against London clubs with the aggregate currently standing at 2-22.
There are positives to take from a defensive standpoint. It has been 13 matches since Huddersfield last conceded more than two in a match. I bet you were not expecting that!
PREDICTION! Huddersfield will be full of confidence after shutting out Man City but the chances of keeping clean sheets at the home of two of the Premier League's biggest clubs in the space of just over 72 hours are remote. Expect Chelsea to be business-like on Wednesday night and we are backing the home side to run out comfortable winners.
HEAD TO HEAD! Wednesday's fixture represents the 66th competitive meeting between the clubs, with Chelsea claiming 29 wins in comparison to 27 victories for Huddersfield.
There have only been four games since 1999 with three coming in cup competitions. Huddersfield prevailed in a League Cup tie in 1999, but Chelsea came through FA Cup contests in 2006 and 2008 respectively.
The reverse fixture between the two clubs took place in December as Chelsea coasted to three points at the John Smith's Stadium. Click here to read back on that game.
There are three other games taking place in the Premier League this evening but we will be paying most attention to Tottenham Hotspur's encounter with Newcastle United. Chelsea need the Magpies to return to form at Wembley Stadium. Click here to follow that match.
It's time for the two teams to make their way out at Stamford Bridge. There's not a lot riding on many more top-flight games this season but this is one of them. Can Huddersfield pull off another surprise result? It would arguably be the greatest result in their history...
A reminder of the two teams...
CHELSEA XI: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Zappacosta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Pedro
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN XI: Lossl; Smith, Jorgensen, Schindler, Lowe; Kongolo, Hogg, Billing, Mooy, Van La Parra; Depoitre
KICKOFF! Chelsea get us underway in West London.
Not a lot doing in the first two minutes. Huddersfield are prepared to sit deep and Chelsea are taking the opportunity to get their foot on the ball.
See the previous post. Huddersfield have no intent of moving from their own 18-yard box during these early stages.
CHANCE! Almost a brilliant goal from Chelsea. A cross-field ball finds Alonso who controls the ball into his path. Alonso's second touch sees a well-struck volley head towards the near corner but Lossl stands big to keep the ball out.
Huddersfield are doing their best to launch counter-attacks but Depoitre's not really the striker that you need to run beyond the opposition's defence.
SHOT! Good effort from Willian, who bursts into life around 35 yards from goal before drilling a long-range effort just wide of the far post. I think Lossl had it covered.
Chelsea are really starting to up the tempo. It's Willian again - this time on the opposite side of the pitch - but the Brazilian's inswinging delivery has too much pace on it for Rudiger at the back post.
CHANCE! As sitters go, this is up there. Azpilicueta's header is heading marginally wide of the far corner but Rudiger should convert from two yards. However, the defender miscues the ball wide.
Chelsea are pushing hard during the early stages of this fixture. Huddersfield will not get anywhere if they continue in this manner. The Blues have just had a corner but the visitors got the ball away at the second time of asking.
Not much has happened over the past two minutes but Chelsea continue to have possession of the ball and Huddersfield struggle to get away from their own penalty area.
For the first time in this match, Huddersfield have made up some ground and manage to win a throw-in close to the corner flag. However, Chelsea get the ball clear and eventually win back possession.
When signing for Leicester, Kante was initially used as a wide midfielder and we have just seen why. The Frenchman has just dribbled past three Huddersfield players on the flank before nearly forcing his way into the area.
Chelsea are not getting frustrated but Huddersfield have prevented any opportunities being created for around 10 minutes now. Still a long way to go...
Huddersfield win a free kick on the left flank and the ball is delivered to the back post for Depoitre. However, the forward is outmuscled rather easily and the home side get the ball away.
Maybe that frustration is setting in. Willian has just attempted a 40-yard pass but it does not come near to finding a teammate. It left the Huddersfield supporters amused as well.
Huddersfield are certainly showing plenty of desire to stifle Chelsea. Wagner will no doubt be worried about his side's fitness levels but it is so far so good. Chelsea have a game on their hands here.
CHANCE! We've not seen a whole lot of Morata but he almost opens the scoring. Fabregas's cross finds the run of his compatriot, but the resulting volley is too close to Lossl.
There's not much of an atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. In all fairness, Chelsea have not given their supporters much to shout about over the past 20 minutes. The Huddersfield fans are enjoying themselves behind the goal.
A free kick from a threatening position should be headed on goal by Christensen but somehow, the Dane sends the ball behind him and Huddersfield clear the danger. That was a bit of a let-off.
Chelsea need something to happen in these remaining nine minutes. Everything is just really flat. Conte surely won't hang about if the game continues with this pattern of play.
Don't be fooled into thinking that Huddersfield are content to see this first half out either. Mooy has just chased and harried the Chelsea defence before being out-numbered by Rudiger and Kante.
Alonso is offering a threat down the left flank but the Spaniard's cross is over-hit on this occasion. Huddersfield are five minutes away from half of the job being done.
CHANCE! Better from Chelsea. Morata is played through on goal but after making the choice to round Lossl, the Spaniard stays on his feet and is forced to shoot from an acute angle, with the ball going straight across the six-yard box and away from danger.
Huddersfield respond with an attack down the left before winning a throw-in by the corner flag. Some time will be wasted here. There should not be much added-on time.
There will be two minutes. I'm surprised by that. Chelsea have the ball in the Huddersfield half.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Huddersfield Town
The half-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and we remain goalless. It has been all Chelsea in terms of both chances and possession but so far, Huddersfield are holding firm. The visitors are 45 minutes away from securing their place in the Premier League for another 12 months.
Huddersfield have played their part but Chelsea will not know how they are not ahead. Rudiger has missed a tap-in from two years while Morata should perhaps have done better when being played clear of the Huddersfield defence.
The visitors are yet to register a shot on goal but Wagner will not mind too much. It has become clear that the Terriers are playing for a point and although it is difficult to see Chelsea being shut out for the entire 90 minutes, they are struggling to create chances on a regular basis.
Conte will probably give his Chelsea players 15 minutes to find a goal before opting to make alterations. Barkley, Hazard and Giroud are all in reserve so it won't be panic stations just yet.
KICKOFF! Huddersfield get us back underway.
As expected, Chelsea are dominating possession at the start of this second half and win a free kick on the right flank.
CHANCE! Should this be 1-0? Perhaps. Willian's set piece is superb and Rudiger has a free header, but the defender sends his effort over the crossbar from 12 yards.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Huddersfield Town (Laurent Depoitre)
Unbelievable scenes! A long ball catches Chelsea out and Depoitre gets to the ball ahead of Caballero. The goalkeeper goes down injured but it's not a foul and the ball falls for the striker to tap home from close range after Rudiger slips in front of him.
Huddersfield are well and truly in business here. Unless Chelsea score two goals, the Yorkshire side will remain in the Premier League. If Chelsea do not score twice, the Blues are going to struggle to qualify for the top four.
SUBSTITUTION! Wagner makes the first change, bringing on Pritchard for Van La Parra.
SUBSTITUTION! Conte does the same with Giroud being introduced for Zappacosta. Chelsea have to go for this now.
It's worth remembering that Huddersfield have not conceded more than two goals in a game for 13 matches. The visitors are capable of holding out here but will there be tired legs after the weekend?
The visitors are welcoming any chance that they get to stop running. Some players look visibly tired. They are not going to like what Chelsea are doing on the bench...
SUBSTITUTION! Hazard is on in place of Pedro. Chelsea have gone to a back four.
We are through an hour at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have not created a chance since going behind, despite dominating the ball. Don't expect Huddersfield to move from their own defensive third.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Huddersfield Town (Marcos Alonso)
Chelsea are back on level terms and it's such a lucky goal. Remember James Milner's own goal for Liverpool against Roma last week? It's almost an exact replica, with Jorgensen firing the ball off Alonso's forehead and the ball finding the bottom corner.
SUBSTITUTION! Wagner has acted by bringing on Hadergjonaj for Lowe.
LATEST! There has been a goal at Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur have taken the lead against Newcastle United. Harry Kane has got the goal.
You get the feeling that Huddersfield are going to require a second. The home side are now playing with confidence and by the minute, Huddersfield are starting to fade. It's going to take some effort from the visitors to get the point they require from this game.
Billing is down holding his ankle after a tackle, but the midfielder was blowing hard a few minutes ago so maybe he wants the breather. Just the 20 minutes to go. Chelsea remain in the ascendancy.
We are back underway and Billing is fine to continue. Hazard is getting on the ball more and more and the Belgian wins a free kick on the edge of the box. However, Chelsea try to be too smart and nothing comes from the set piece.
Depoitre is playing as a midfielder now. When Huddersfield do get the ball, it is being cleared straight to a Chelsea defender. It's a long time to hold out playing like this.
Rudiger mis-controlling the ball and seeing it go out for a throw-in is greeted like a goal by the Huddersfield supporters. I'm not surprised!
SHOT! Huddersfield engineer a three-on-three situation but Billing opts to shoot from 25 yards out, sending the ball just wide of the post. Caballero had it covered, however.
Nothing much to report over the past two minutes but Chelsea remain in the ascendancy. They also have one more change up their sleeve. Maybe we will see Barkley.
A couple of balls have been drilled across the Huddersfield penalty area but the visitors just about survive. Less than 10 minutes to go. The Chelsea pressure is relentless.
CHANCE! One of the most incredible goalmouth scrambles that you have ever seen ends with Lossl pulling off an absolute wonder save to tip Christensen's header onto the post before the ball is cleared frantically. Is that the moment?
SUBSTITUTION! The final switch for Huddersfield sees Smith leave the pitch for Malone.
SHOT! Hazard tries his luck from 25 yards but the ball goes well wide of the post. There are three minutes to go plus probably around five minutes of added-on time.
BOOKING! Lossl has been booked for time-wasting.
CHANCE! Chelsea are getting closer. The ball arrives at the feet of Morata who stings the palms of Lossl with a shot from 20 yards.
There will be six minutes of added-on time...
Huddersfield manage to get the ball into the corner but all that Depoitre can do is knock the ball out for a throw-in. Four minutes to go.
This is incredibly tense. Chelsea are minutes away from probably missing out on millions and Huddersfield are nearing a lucrative 12 months in the top flight.
Huddersfield win a free kick from 25 yards. There is very little time left. Huddersfield are almost there.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Huddersfield Town
The full-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Huddersfield have done it! How they have done it, I don't quite know but the Terriers have registered back-to-back draws at Etihad Stadium and the home of last year's champions to stay in the Premier League! What a night.
It also means that Chelsea are staring at Europa League football, and this could very well be Conte's final match at Stamford Bridge. This is Huddersfield's night, however. Wagner has pulled off the improbable, if not the impossible.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
