Chelsea have earned their first Champions League points of the season with an emphatic 4-0 win over Steaua Bucuresti.
The Blues suffered an early blow when Fernando Torres was withdrawn with a knee injury, but Ramires and an own goal from Daniel Georgievski gave the visitors a two-goal advantage at the break.
Andre Schurrle was giving his best performance in a Chelsea shirt, and he helped Ramires net his second, before Frank Lampard wrapped up the scoring in the final minute with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.
Read below to see how the action unfolded in Romania.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the Champions League match between Steaua Bucuresti and Chelsea.
When the fixtures came out, I doubt that many people would have seen this match as a game that Chelsea must not lose. Of course, they could still mathematically qualify if they did fall to defeat this evening, but it would certainly be an uphill struggle.
The team news is already in from Romania. That will be coming up shortly...
CHELSEA XI: Cech; Ivanovic, David Luiz, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Oscar, Schurrle; Torres
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Mikel, Willian, Ba, Eto’o
Jose Mourinho had already confirmed that Juan Mata would be starting this match, so his inclusion doesn't come as a surprise. The most interesting selection comes in attack, with many expecting Samuel Eto'o to regain his starting place after remaining on the bench for the past two games. However, Mourinho has opted to retain his faith in Fernando Torres, who despite getting sent off at the weekend, did put in an impressive display.
Now for the Steaua lineup...
STEAUA BUCURESTI XI: Tatarusanu; Georgievski, Szukala, Gardos, Latolevici; Bourceanu, Fillip, Popa, Stanciu, Tanase; Piovaccari
We will bring you news of the Steaua bench as soon as we have it, but the Romanian side have gone with the lineup that many expected. Popa and Piovaccari are known to be two of their biggest threats.
If you did want to do your research on Chelsea's opponents this evening, then why not give our profile of the Romanian's a quick read.
Going back to what I quickly spoke about earlier, Chelsea go into this contest under pressure to register their first points of the group campaign. They were expected to earn three points against Basel on matchday one, but the Swiss side stunned the Blues with a comeback after the break. Another defeat would see Chelsea a minimum of four points between the group leaders come the end of the evening.
Tonight's fixture does not represent the first time that these two teams have met this year. They were paired together during the knockout stages of the Europa League last season, and while Chelsea did eventually progress, it wasn't before they had suffered a 1-0 defeat out in Romania during the first leg. That result should go a long way to ensuring that Chelsea don't take their opponents lightly this evening.
Bucuresti's attack will be headed by Italian Federico Piovaccari, who is currently on loan from Serie A side Sampdoria. The 29-year-old has spent his career playing for over half a dozen teams in Italy, but he has enjoyed immediate success with his new team, already scoring seven goals this season.
We are less than 30 minutes away from kickoff in the Arena Nationala. I imagine we will be a fair few short of capacity this evening, but hopefully the players will still be greeted by an electric atmosphere.
As you can see from the graphic, there are plenty of star names that are on show in the Champions League this evening. More of the same can be found on our Instagram account, which can be found by clicking the icon at the top of the screen.
If you missed the news earlier, Fernando Torres has avoided an extended ban for his altercation with Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen at the weekend. The general feeling was that Samuel Eto'o could have needed some time on the pitch before being thrust into the action against Norwich City at the weekend, but it appears as though he will be thrown in from the cold.
Brazilian winger Willian would also have been expecting a chance from the start, but he too has had to make do with a place on the bench. It hasn't been the most ideal of opening weeks at Stamford Bridge for the former Shakhtar Donetsk star.
PREDICTION! I imagine Jose Mourinho will instruct his side to sit tight for the opening 30 minutes, but at the same time, he will be aware that Chelsea can't give Bucuresti too much encouragement. Tonight is a night where the Blues need to show their class, and I'm backing them to edge the game with a late goal to give them a 2-1 win.
The other game in this group comes from Switzerland, where Basel host Schalke 04. If you would like to follow that match, you can do so by clicking here.
Here come the two sides. It has been pouring down in Romania for the past 48 hours, resulting in the retractable roof covering the pitch tonight.
It will be Chelsea to get us underway.
Some fine tracking back from Torres sees him begin an attack for Chelsea, but he looks to have picked up a knock. He doesn't appear to be moving all that freely.
Chelsea should be ahead. Andre Schurrle does well to break clear of the Bucuresti defence and after the ball returns to him from Mata, he scuffs his shot with just a couple of defenders in front of him on the line.
Torres is down again for Chelsea, and it doesn't look at all good. It looks as though the board is coming out...
Torres is giving in another go, but I think he has signaled to the bench that he wants to be withdrawn. Chelsea have began well though, with Steaua looking threatening on the break.
SUBSTITUTION! Here comes Samuel Eto'o. It's a huge blow to Torres, but it's a chance for the former Barca striker to impress Mourinho. The problem appears to be a knee injury, rather than an ankle problem.
Mourinho has definitely instructed his players to press Bucuresti at every opportunity. It's working at the moment, but they don't want to over-commit themselves and allow their opponents to break. Bucuresti have a free kick midway inside Chelsea's half.
Nothing comes of the set piece, but they have another after a push from Ashley Cole, which Chelsea manage to clear.
GOAL! Steaua Bucuresti 0-1 Chelsea (Ramires)
Just as Bucuresti were coming into the game, Chelsea take the lead through Ramires. Schurrle did well down the left-hand side before linking up with Eto'o. The Cameroonian scuffed his shot but it fell kindly for Ramires, who dinked the ball over the goalkeeper.
Ramires's finish took the attention of Eto'o, because he didn't exactly look the sharpest there! Schurrle is Chelsea's best player by far, but a stray pass to Mata brings a Blues break to an end.
The other game in the group is currently goalless. As long as Chelsea can win this game, I'm sure that's a result that Mourinho would be looking for.
Chelsea are putting some fine exchanges together, but Bucuresti are packing their defence with bodies. Schurrle attempts a speculative effort from distance but it flies harmlessly into the stands.
Another chance for Chelsea, this time for Mata. Oscar set up his midfield partner, but the Spaniard's shot lacked power and it was easily stopped by Tatarusanu.
It's worth noting that Ramires was missing from Chelsea's defeat to Basel. They look a far more fluid outfit with the Brazilian pulling the strings in midfield.
BOOKING! The first yellow card of the game goes to Frank Lampard, who blocks Nicolae Stanciu in the centre of the park.
Lampard wins a free kick around 35 yards out. David Luiz is soon on the scene...but his shot goes straight into the wall.
Bucuresti put together a superb one-touch move that finds the right winger, but he can't control the ball when in a threatening position. The home side retrieve the ball though, and Petr Cech has to be alert to claw away a cross.
There's less than five minutes to go for the break, and Chelsea need to be careful not to let Bucuresti back into this. They are certainly gaining in confidence as he head towards half time.
Chance for Chelsea, but they can't make the most of an incisive break that started through Ramires, with Oscar curling the ball a couple of yards over the bar.
GOAL! Steaua Bucuresti 0-2 Chelsea (Georgievski own goal)
What a disaster for Daniel Georgievski! Chelsea broke clear once again through Eto'o, and after the Cameroonian got his shot away, the goalkeeper parried the ball straight at the Bucuresti defender and the ball flew into the bottom corner.
HALF TIME: Steaua Bucuresti 0-2 Chelsea
What a difference that goal could make. Bucuresti were looking the better of the two sides as half time approached, but they are now up against it to get a result from this match.
Chelsea suffered an early blow when they lost Fernando Torres to a knee injury, but they have recovered well to open up a two-goal advantage. Ramires and Andre Schurrle have been the stars of the shows, but Samuel Eto'o has looked sluggish since entering the fray. Mourinho will be hoping for an improved second half from the summer signing.
Chelsea may be 2-0 ahead, but they had as many as 12 opportunities in that opening 45 minutes. They also shaded the possession by 52% to 48%.
The two teams are slowly emerging for the second half. No news of any changes.
Ignore that, Steaua are making two changes. Leandro Tatu has come on from Popa, while Pantelis Kapetanos has replaced Piovaccari. We are back underway.
Steaua start offensively, but Chelsea break through Mata. The Spaniard finds Eto'o, but his strike from 25 yards is straight at the goalkeeper.
BOOKING! A Chelsea breakaway comes to nothing, and Ashley Cole is caught out of position. The left-back attempts to get back, but he ends up hauling back Tatu.
Chelsea are beginning to dominate possession in the Steaua half. They switch the play from right to left to get Schurrle on the ball, who finds Eto'o. His lay-off is tad too hard for Lampard who miscues his shot well wide of the goal.
GOAL! Steaua Bucuresti 0-3 Chelsea (Ramires)
Ramires wraps up the game for Chelsea with his second goal, but all of the credit goes to Schurrle. The German turned past the defender on the left before cutting inside and playing the ball to Oscar, who directed the ball into the path of Ramires who made no mistake in firing past the goalkeeper at the near post.
How unlucky! Chelsea are almost showboating now, and the most creative of moves ends in Mata driving the ball against the post. That would have been something special.
OUCH! Petr Cech is down for Chelsea after hitting his back against the post after turning a shot over the bar. There's some concern from his teammates. The Czech stopper looks to be winded more than anything.
Schurrle is in the thick of it once again, running at the defender before driving the ball at goal from 14 yards. Unfortunately, it was straight at Tatarusanu.
Without speaking too soon, Mourinho has been striving for a more creative performance from his side, and he has certainly found it this evening. Bucuresti aren't the strongest opposition, but the Portuguese coach will be delighted so far.
WOODWORK! Oscar leads a three-on-two break for the visitors, but he opts to take the direct route, striking the crossbar from 20 yards.
There are just 20 minutes remaining in Romania. I imagine that changes are imminent from the visitors. Schurrle goes close to his first Chelsea goal, but his delicate attempt just passes by the far post.
CHANCE! Bucuresti are continuing to fight, and it takes an excellent save from Cech to prevent Stanciu from pulling a goal back for the home side. The Romanian had a chance on the follow-up too, but he blazed over from 12 yards.
That's a bit more promising from Eto'o, who created space for himself at the back post to volley a Lampard cross on goal, but Tatarusanu was equal to it. Chelsea are about to bring on Azpilicueta.
SUBSTITUTION! Here comes the change, and it will be Oscar who will depart for Azpilicueta. Willian looks like he will follow shortly.
SUBSTITUTION! Juan Mata makes way for the Brazilian, and after tonight's performance, I imagine that he will firmly in his manager's thoughts...as he should have been from the start of the season.
There's literally nothing happening in this match at the moment. Chelsea are more than happy to sit back and save their energy for the weekend, while Steaua aren't creating anything of note.
Cole sloppily gives the ball away for Chelsea, and Tamase takes the chance to test Cech from distance, with the Czeck goalkeeper tipping the ball away for a corner. The resulting set piece causes mayhem in the box, but Chelsea survive.
I wouldn't expect the referee to add on too much time, three minutes at the most.
GOAL! Steaua Bucuresti 0-4 Chelsea (Lampard)
Just as the game looked like petering out without incident, Chelsea net their fourth. Eto'o does well down the left and finds Willian, who touches the ball into the path of Lampard, and the England international makes no mistake in driving the ball into the net via the post from 18 yards.
FULL TIME: Steaua Bucuresti 0-4 Chelsea
The referee blows the final whistle, and Chelsea record their first points of the group with an emphatic victory in Romania.
In truth, Chelsea couldn't have expected an easier victory. Bucuresti were fancied to test the Blues, but the Premier League outfit never looked likely falling short. Ramires nicked in with a couple of goals, but it will be Andre Schurrle who will earn praise from his manager. The German winger was terrific.
In the other game in this group, Schalke 04 have recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Basel in Switzerland, which will take them to the top of Group E. They will host Chelsea in Germany in three weeks time. What a game that promises to be!
That will be all from Sports Mole for this evening. Thank you for joining us, and be sure to return tomorrow - like tonight, we will be covering all eight of the fixtures in the Champions League. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
