well the atmosphere has been building up all day long and we're almost ready for kickoff here at
stamford bridge i'm derek ray on the commentary gantry and delighted to be joined as always by
stuart robson and what we have for you tonight is live champions league group stage match day one
action it's chelsea facing manchester city well thanks derek this should be a tight group so it's
vital these teams get off to a good start here this should be a very competitive game tonight
here's the lineup for chelsea edward mendy stands between the posts
ben chilwell starts with azpilicueta in the fullback positions kai harvard starts with
mason mount on the flanks and the main threat in attack today will likely be romelu lukaku
and a look at the starting eleven for manchester city anderson gets the node in goal chihuahua
starts with kyle walker as full backs kevin de bruyne starts alongside rodri in the center of
midfield and rather than use a strike partnership they've gone with just the one player in attack
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
looking confident with the ball at his feet
in the center well a bit short with the clearance
how they survived the attack
and chelsea have given us away
that's what he does
and a long way out here the crossbar got in the way cleared away
we'll have started the game really brightly and that real chance
oh a save right out of the top drawer superstar
but he's gone short with it
tremendous challenge
and now they can celebrate
well let's look at this again derek because the transition when the ball changes hands
is so quick and then the shot could not be hit any better struck with such venom great goal
only go again a wake-up call for the city players maybe can they find a response now
well they'll be happy to have regained possession
a chelsea move still flowing advantage to them aspiely
this looks promising out wide
but ultimately up a cul-de-sac good pressure can they make something of this options in the middle
it is now with jorginho superblock lukaku
well chelsea are piling on the pressure now but they need to score during this dominant period
their fans can certainly sense a goal coming here well he almost nodded that one in
and a retrospective yellow card is the referee's verdict
well no doubt about it that earlier challenge was a definite booking
oh
looking for that final pass and for that chance to level the game gundogan
and torres on the ball using his body is a good effect real defensive commitment there
well chelsea controlled the last 15 minutes and with it have created some great openings
they certainly look as if they get another before too long
and running it back
now a potentially dangerous position for good use of advantage by the referee
greelish
well he reacts so quickly there that's a great save
another short corner here it's one corner after another
can he deliver it with accuracy
and i think the threat has been averted
and so the first half draws to a close here in west london
okay habits very difficult to contain in the first half
how would you sum up his performance well i thought he had a really effective first half
not only did he get the goal that gave him the lead but his general play was really good
he was a constant threat and i'm sure we'll see more of him in the second half
and so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
thiago silva christensen
now with georginio
kai havertz georgina
lukaku now perfect example of how to execute a slide tackle christensen thiago silva
not showing good patience
harvest mount aspiri clearance
and breaking at pace with menace
a decisive clearance it was
that's very effective good high pressing
and chelsea looking dangerous
mount could cross it in here can he put it away sound piece of goalkeeping
rotary
ruben diaz really good challenge
going well and it's gone in here just what chelsea fans wanted to see the lead extended to two goals
well he wasn't going to waste this chance 1v1 against the keeper and
he slots it away with great confidence that's a good finish
just 15 minutes remaining
well as the second half draws to a close we can reflect on a very fine chelsea performance
yeah this has been a good performance they've looked really sharp going forward and they've
shown a lot of energy they'll certainly be pleased with their overall display up to now
lukaku mounts as eyes for goal still alive and the keeper was finally able to claim it well what
a great piece of goalkeeping firstly the save and then the recovery brilliant from him gundam
all right in the nick of time
the high press was very much on
might be able to get in behind the defense palms away by the keeper
there will be one minute added on at the end perfectly positioned to take it away
so full time it is and the morale boosting three points on the board to begin the european campaign
well you always want to get off to a good start and that's exactly what they've done here
now they can look forward to the next game they're in a great position
lukaku does know how to take a game by the scruff of the neck what would be your verdict
on his performance yeah he'll be happy coming off the pitch he worked hard he was always
involved in the game and he scored a very good goal that was an impressive performance today