(Football news) After a disappointing defeat to Brighton, Chelsea bounced back in their final group stage match in the UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb at Stamford Bridge. Raheem Sterling, who played as a wing-back against Brighton, started in his natural position this time around and scored his first goal for the Blues since mid-September, cancelling out Dinamo Zagreb’s opening goal scored by Bruno Petkovic. After a disastrous match in the Premier League, Graham Potter’s side had the worst possible start as a miscued header by Cesar Azpilicueta set up Petkovic who scored in the seventh minute.
The visitors had a lot to play for as victory at Stamford Bridge along with favourable results elsewhere would have meant Europa League play-offs but they conceded a goal just 11 minutes later when Sterling capitalised on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's backheel to score the equaliser at the far post. Chelsea then went on to take the lead at the half hour mark, with debutant Denis Zakaria scoring the winner with a near post strike that crept into the back of the net. Aubameyang was unlucky not to score, hitting the bar after half-time as Chelsea looked to get a two goal cushion as the hosts went on to secure a morale boosting victory.
One of the talking points of the match was Ben Chilwell pulling his hamstring in stoppage time and could be a doubt for the World Cup which is due to start in less than three weeks. Speaking after the match about Chilwell’s condition, Chelsea manager Graham Potter said “You'd have to say [the World Cup is a concern] yes. I don't want to add any more than that, but when a player pulls up like he did and felt it, it's never positive. Ben's a blow for us on an otherwise positive evening. To see him pull up like that, it's not a great sight. So fingers crossed when we get it scanned it isn't too bad. It can be not as severe but we have to cross our fingers at the moment. But clearly, we're disappointed.
“I spoke to him briefly. He just felt something as he was setting off. He is disappointed and upset. We've tried to play Raheem as high and wide as we can. I know there is a lot of talk about him being a wing-back, but I played as a wing-back and I can assure you that Raheem has never played as a wing-back! He has never been asked to play and defend in a back five or back four even. His responsibility has always been against the full-back. With the back four behind him tonight probably helped, he was a little bit higher and a little bit wider. It was nice for him to score because he has been working hard for the team. As I said before, the team has to function well for the individuals to do well. So I'm really pleased he got his goal today."
Also read: Man United face Sociedad for top spot in Group E, Arsenal face Zurich
