Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Chelsea's trip to Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.
Many pundits have stated their belief that this is Chelsea's biggest match in the Champions League since they won the competition at the expense of Bayern Munich in May of this year.
After all, Shakhtar have won 12 of their last 18 matches in all European encounters, as well as drawing two.
In contrast, the Blues have emerged victorious from just two of there last eight away fixtures at this level.
Will they be able to pick up maximum points in Donbass Arena? Stay tuned right here to find out. Please note that the match is due to get underway at 7.45pm.
Thank you for joining us this evening. Be sure to check out our analysis of the action, which will be coming your way shortly.
Chelsea can have no complaints with this result. They only began to play in the last 10 minutes or so, having been thoroughly outplayed for the opening 80. However, they have been saved by the fact that Juventus have only managed to draw 1-1 Nordsjaelland.
FULL TIME: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Chelsea
The ball is in the wrong part of the pitch where Chelsea are concerned. Shakhtar are in possession inside the Chelsea half and the clock is ticking down.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time for Chelsea to find a leveller.
Hang on a minute! I said Oscar had woken from his slumber and so he proves it. Branislav Ivanovic raids down the right and drills in a cross for the Brazilian, who has the easiest of tap-ins. Nervy ending for the home side now.
GOAL! Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Chelsea (Oscar)
SUBSTITUTION: The impressive Willian is replaced by his fellow Brazilian Douglas Costa.
We've got a stoppage in play as Chelsea midfielder Ramires receives treatment on a foot injury.
The likes of Oscar and Hazard have woken up in the last few minutes. The pair are beginning to knock the ball around neatly. However, it seems as though it's too late for Chelsea to get back into this.
SAVE! Hazard races clear of the home defence but again finds his route to goal blocked by Pyatov. The goalkeeper has done his work really well tonight.
CHANCE! How is it not 3-0? Only Hubschman will be able to tell you as his low effort somehow misses the target from close range. Meanwhile, up the other end Hazard is denied by the feet of Pyatov.
Willian is a real class act. He's been linked with both Chelsea and Tottenham recently. He would be a real asset to the Premier League. He has just beat two defenders and picked out Mkhitaryan, who drove straight at Cech.
SUBSTITUTION: The ineffective Torres trudges off and is replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
CHANCE! Fernandinho is everywhere at the moment! This time he drills in a shot from 10 yards out that just fizzes past the post. Cech was rooted to the spot there.
BOOKING! Trickery from Hazard ends with him being took out by Kucher, who is correctly booked.
There is still plenty of time to go in this but Chelsea look a side that have resigned themselves to the fact that they have lost this. There is no urgency in their play whatsoever.
CHANCE! No sign of any caution from the Ukrainians. A clearance from Terry finds Fernandinho 25 yards from goal. The Brazilian drills in a shot but the ball skids wide.
This is where Chelsea miss Drogba's influence. Time and time again when they were up against it he delivered. You never get the impression that Torres has that in his locker these days. Their failure to replace Drogba in the summer could come back to haunt them long term.
Chelsea quite simply shoot themselves in the foot. They squander possession to Willian and that is something you do not want to be doing! He races through before slotting a pass to Fernandinho, who applies the finishing touch from 10 yards out.
GOAL! Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Chelsea (Fernandinho)
CHANCE! A quick break from Chelsea sees Hazard pick out Mata on the edge of the area. The Spanish international takes an instant shot which squirms just wide. That's better from the Blues.
The visitors have started his half in similar fashion to how they begun the first half. They're seeing plenty off the ball. However, David Luiz is limping and doesn't look too comfortable at the moment.
The players are back out and Chelsea get the second half underway. Big 45 minutes for the Blues.
While we wait for the teams to emerge for the second half, here is our half-time report from the Donbass Arena.
The other game in this group is currently 0-0 between Nordsjaelland and Juventus. If the Danish side can hold on to that scoreline it will be a real bonus for these two teams.
Well the only good thing from a Chelsea point of view is the fact that they only trail by one. Cech has been at his very best between the posts for the visitors. It's going to be a big team talk for Roberto Di Matteo. His opposite number will no doubt be asking for more of the same from his Shakhtar players.
HALF-TIME: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Chelsea
One minute of stoppage time to be played...
SAVE! Another stop by Cech (I hope he gets some sort of bonus!) This time it is more routine as Fernandinho curls the ball into his hands from 20 yards out.
SAVE! Cech is keeping Chelsea in this match at the moment. This time he denies Hubschman's bouncing effort from close range. Half-time cannot come soon enough for Chelsea.
SAVE! Slick passing from Willian frees leading Shakhtar's leading goalscorer Mkhitaryan inside the area. The ball bounces up awkwardly though and Cech is able to turn away his rising effort.
CHANCE! It can be really painful watching Torres play sometimes. Oscar puts him through with a lofted pass but his touch resembles that of a Sunday League player and Pyatov is able to collect.
A neat move between Mikel and Oscar ends with the latter getting to the byline. However, the Brazilian fails to pick out either Torres or Mata in the box and the danger passes.
Shakhtar's attacking unit have been impressive thus far. There's a lot of intelligent movement going on which is allowing them to pick up virtually every second ball inside the Chelsea half.
What has happened to Torres?! He is half the player he once was. Ramires squares him the ball on the edge of the box but he is lacking in bravery and goalkeeper Pyatov nicks the ball away. Nevertheless, Torres grabs the rebound but as he tries to beat his marker, the pace is lacking and the chance disappears. Torres of old scores, no doubt.
BOOKING! Chelsea's Ashley Cole gets his name taken. Not too sure in all honesty! It looks as though it could be for dissent. Cole and dissent in the same sentence? Surely not!
Lampard is cutting a frustrated figure on the bench. Not sure what he has done, but it is certainly connected with his lower leg. There was nobody around him when he hit the deck so it could be a twist.
SUBSTITUTION: It's goes from bad to worse for Chelsea. Lampard's night is over. He looks to have a foot injury. Eden Hazard will replace him.
CHANCE! It's a wasted chance for Willian. He does the hard bet by jinking his way past Ramires and moves towards the edge of the box. Composure eludes him though and he fires over.
Shakhtar are looking so composed on the ball at the moment. Even their defenders are happy to keep the ball among themselves. You can tell that the Brazilian players in their squad have had an effect.
Oh Fernando! Torres loses his marker and moves deep into the Shakhtar half. If he gets his head up there is a square pass for Juan Mata, who is through on goal. Torres delays though and is robbed of possession.
The Blues look rather unsettled at the moment and who can blame them? They've fallen behind to a sloppy goal and the home faithful are making a hell of a noise at the moment!
Well after all that early possession, Chelsea have fallen a goal behind! Luiz is weak in the challenge and the ball drops to Teixeira inside the area. His low shot is by no means clean, but it goes across Petr Cech and into the Chelsea net.
GOAL! Shakhtar 1-0 Chelsea (Alex Teixeira)
Chelsea are enjoying some early possession which has not gone down to well with the home faithful. Every Chelsea touch is being greeted with a rather large jeer.
The hosts get us off and running. Chelsea will be kicking from left to right in the opening 45 minutes.
Anthem time, which is followed by a massive roar from the home crowd. We'll be underway shortly.
Players are now in the tunnel, no doubt humming that number from Duffy!
Duffy's 'Wawrick Avenue' is currently blaring out of the tannoy system at the Donbass Arena. That's not going to get the home side pumped up, is it? It's hardly 'Two Tribes' or 'We Will Rock You.'
Back to Chelsea matters and when asked by Sky Sports News about John Terry's state of mind, Di Matteo replied that "he is fully focused on the game". Personally I can't see Terry being affected. He deals with a lot worse back in England!
On the subject of videos, let's have a look at Willian while we wait for the start of this match. The Brazilian midfielder, who has a bag full of tricks, has been linked with the Blues in recent months.
I'm sure Chelsea fans will be hoping for something similar this evening. He's certainly capable.
For those of you who can't remember that strike, here it is below with added bonus of analysis from housewives' favourite Jamie Redknapp.
Other of Chelsea's midfielders, Oscar, has also scored both of his efforts - one of which was that stunner against Juventus on the opening day of the competition.
One player that is starting the game that has been impressive for Chelsea in recent weeks is Juan Mata. The pint-sized Spaniard has become a key player since joining from Valencia last summer. He's had two shots in the Champions League this season and scored both!
That's not to say Chelsea's is too shabby! After all, Eden Hazard is among the replacements. The forgotten man Daniel Sturridge is also included.
Have to say that there are some decent names on the home side's bench. As well as Eduardo, Ilsinho and Costa have reputations as creative midfielders.
Shakhtar: Kanibolotskiy, Stepanenko, Eduardo, Gai, Douglas Costa, Kryvtsov, Ilsinho
Chelsea: Turnbull, Romeu, Hazard, Sturridge, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Bertrand
Talking of the bench, let's bring you both sets of substitutes...
That attacking trio are keeping a familiar face on the bench in the form of Eduardo. Remember him? The Croatian international only faced the Blues once during his spell with Arsenal which ended in a 3-0 victory for Chelsea.
No real surprises in that team. The front three of Mkhitaryan, Willian and Luiz Adriano are expected to give the Chelsea rearguard a busy evening. Terry may wish he was banned for European matches as well come the final whistle!
Shakhtar: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Hubschman, Fernandinho, Alex Teixeira; Mkhitaryan, Willian, Luiz Adriano
We'll be bringing you the Shakhtar lineup very shortly...
Incidentally, Lampard's appearance for the Blues will be his 100th in European competitions. He is the first player to have achieved that feat.
So, England duo Terry and Frank Lampard return to the starting lineup. It seems as though head coach Roberto Di Matteo is keen to utilise the pair's experience. Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill drop out.
Chelsea X1: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole; Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Mata; Torres
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: As expected, Terry captains Chelsea. Full team news coming up...
I would bring you Chelsea's previous record against clubs from Ukraine but I can't...this is their first outing against a side from the Eastern European country!
Fulham! Under Roy Hodgson they claimed a 1-1 draw in Ukraine, before recording a 2-1 win at home on their way to the Europa League final in 2010.
Arsenal (twice) and Tottenham Hotspur have both traveled back from Donetsk in recent seasons with defeats. Only one English team has managed to avoid a loss. Any guesses?
On paper, it looks a tough test for Chelsea. In fact, the majority of supporters on forums throughout the day have admitted that they would take a draw. The statistics show that even a point would be good going here...
It will be extremely disappointing if this game fails to entertain tonight. These two are level at the top of Group E with four points from two matches. With Italian champions Juventus fully expected to defeat minnows FC Nordsjaelland in the other match, losing in the Donbass Arena could prove fatal for their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
If you've watched Sky Sports News at all today, you won't have been able to avoid that little fact about Terry! Anyway, enough of that drama, let's talk football.
Evening all. Here we go again then - matchday three of the Champions League. Tonight we've got a crucial clash for you - yes there is a football match being played and not just John Terry wearing an anti-racism armband!
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
