And that wraps up our coverage. We hope you enjoyed our commentary, and until next time, goodbye!
Both sides return to domestic duties this weekend, with Chelsea facing Crystal Palace on Saturday while Ajax host Utrecht in the Johan Crujiff Arena the following day. Key Champions League fixtures await both teams though, as Lampard’s Blues will travel to Valencia on the 27th of November while Ten Hag's side head to Lille on the same day in what will be must-win games in their quest for progression to the second round.
For the neutral, this was a game that had everything. Mesmerising play from both sides, player dismissals, penalties, a comeback from a large deficit, and the only thing missing was a winner. But in the end, both Chelsea and Ajax will feel that they should have emerged from this fixture with a win, despite the latter having had both of their centre-backs sent off in quick succession. Lampard’s Blues will feel aggrieved that Azpilicueta’s 78th-minute strike was disallowed thanks to VAR, but he will undoubtedly be pleased at his side’s reaction after starting the second half with intent and purpose. As for Ten Hag, he will see this as an opportunity lost after leading 4-1, with the turning point being Blind’s and Veltman’s red cards, and he and his charges will head back to Amsterdam the less happier of the two sides. With Valencia’s 4-1 win over Lille, the LaLiga side are now equal on points with Chelsea and Ajax on seven, leaving Group H wide open for the coveted top two spots.
90' + 4' FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 4-4 AJAX
90' + 4' Chelsea go for broke with time quickly running out, and Willian finds Batshuayi in the box once more only for the substitute to drag his shot harmlessly wide.
90' + 2' James, who has made a huge difference since coming on, goes on the offence again from deep and finds Abraham with a wicked cross but the striker, who has been uncharacteristically profligate all game, heads well wide of the Ajax goal.
90' There will be four minutes of added time to be played.
90' BATSHUAYI SHOULD’VE SCORED THERE! Jorginho is able to play in the Belgium striker, who does excellently to turn away from his marker before forcing Omana to make the best save of the match from close range!
89' HUDSON-ODOI ALMOST WINS IT FOR HIS SIDE! Playing a dangerous game in trying to play the ball out from the back, Ajax carelessly give the ball away in midfield and the substitute attempts to curl it in the bottom corner with Omana in no-man’s land after being played in by Abraham!
88' Mazraoui forces another good save from Arrizabalaga after venturing forward from right-back. And, as quick as a flash, Chelsea break away at the other end only for Abraham’s header to go straight at Omana!
M. Batshuayi
M. Kovačić
87' Lampard throws his last roll of the dice in search of a winner and brings on Batshuayi for the impressive Kovacic.
85' ALVAREZ NEARLY MAKES IT 5-4! Tadic, who has been on the periphery for the majority of this contest, is able to wriggle out of a couple of Chelsea challenges down the wing and plays it towards the hosts’ penalty area only for the loose ball to fall towards the substitute, who forces Arrizabalaga into making a good save!
83' Hudson-Odoi is able to find space and dinks in an early cross towards Abraham, but the latter is unable to get much contact on the ball and it goes out of play for a goal kick.
82' Jorginho floats in an exquisite ball towards the other flank, where Willian is able to connect first-time only for Onana to go down low and save well.
81' James (19 years and 332 days old) has become Chelsea's youngest ever goalscorer in Champions League history.
79' NO WAIT, THE GOAL IS DISALLOWED! Incredibly harsh for Chelsea there, as referee Rocchi reviews the VAR footage and chalks off Azpilicueta’s strike after replays showed that Jorginho’s shot hit Abraham’s hand! The scoreline remains 4-4, and the home crowd are just as incensed as their team!
78' GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!! AZPILICUETA COMPLETES THE COMEBACK! Stamford Bridge goes wild as the skipper runs towards the home crowd with unbridled joy! Ajax’s nine-man disadvantage has proved their undoing, as another swarm of Chelsea players surround the box with Jorginho’s blocked shot falling towards the path of the right-back who finishes with aplomb!
76' Good fingertip save by Arrizabalaga there, who had to be at full stretch to deny Promes’ free-kick from nearly 30 yards out. Ajax get the corner, but Willian is able to clear the set-piece.
75' Willian threatens Tagliafico once more, fooling the left-back with a step-over before attempting to cut it back towards Pulisic only for Omana to collect the ball. What a game this is turning out to be!
R. James
Goal
74' GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!! JAMES MAKES IT 4-4!!! Zouma’s header following Willian’s corner his the bar and bounces clear only as far as the substitute, who rifles it home through a crowded Ajax penalty area! What a comeback from 4-1 down!
Edson Álvarez
H. Ziyech
72' The excellent Ziyech is also sacrificed as Alvarez comes on in his place.
P. Schuurs
David Neres
72' Ten Hag brings on Schuurs for Neres in an attempt to shut up shop now that his side are now down to nine men!
Jorginho
Penalty Goal
71' GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! IT'S NOW 4-3!! Jorginho makes no mistake from the spot once more as he scores his second penalty of the game after wrongfooting Omana once again! This has the makings of a Champions League classic right here!
J. Veltman
Yellow 2nd/RC
69' AND VELTMAN IS SENT OFF TOO! The Ajax defender is penalised for handball following Hudson-Odoi’s shot and his defensive partner’s dismissal, and Ajax have not only conceded another penalty but are also shorn of their two centre-backs! Unbelievable scenes at the Bridge!
D. Blind
Yellow 2nd/RC
68' BLIND IS DISMISSED! The Ajax players surround Rocchi after the ex-Manchester United defender’s trip on Abraham is played on, and once Hudson-Odoi’s shot appeared to have hit Veltman’s hand in the penalty area, Rocchi stops play to hand Blind his second yellow!
67' Willian, who has been increasingly influential during this second half, cuts it back to Jorginho in space who attempts a low drive that fizzes past Abraham and well wide of Onana’s goal.
65' Both of Azpilicueta's Champions League goals for Chelsea have come at Stamford Bridge (also against FK Qarabag back in September 2017).
T. Abraham
Assist
63' Abraham does well to help the ball towards his skipper amidst pressure from Veltman breathing down his neck in the six-yard area!
Azpilicueta
Goal
63' GOOOOOAAAALLLL!! AZPILICUETA GETS ONE BACK FOR CHELSEA! The skipper cajoles his teammates back to the centre circle following more Chelsea pressure inside the Ajax penalty area, with James’ cross directed towards Abraham and the latter’s touch helping it on to the onrushing right-back at the far post to poke it home! It’s now 4-2, and Stamford Bridge has found its noise once again!
Q. Promes
Yellow Card
62' Referee Rocchi makes no hesitation in booking Promes after a clumsy shove on Willian in a vain attempt to win the ball.
61' Since the start of last season, only Riyad Mahrez (seven) has provided more assists in the Champions League than Ziyech (six). The Ajax playmaker is part of an exclusive club that also contains Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria, and his teammate Tadic.
C. Hudson-Odoi
M. Mount
60' Mount is unable to carry on, and he limps off the pitch with the help of the club's medics. Hudson-Odoi comes on in his place for Lampard's second substitution.
58' Willian tries to conjure another attack by switching the play out to Pulisic to no avail. In the meantime, Mount goes down on the pitch after running into Van De Beek, and club medics are currently tending to him.
57' Chelsea have conceded four goals in a single Champions League game for only the third time in their history and the first time since drawing 4-4 at home to Liverpool back in April 2009.
H. Ziyech
Assist
55' Ziyech is once again the architect of another Ajax goal, capping off an excellent display with another assist after playing in Van De Beek in acres of space.
D. van de Beek
Goal
55' GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! VAN DE BEEK MAKES IT 4-1! Not long after another Chelsea breakaway, Ajax counter at will down the wing and after Neres is tackled by Zouma, Ziyech collects the loose ball and calmly plays in Van De Beek who slots it past Arrizabalaga!
53' WHAT A SAVE BY ONANA! More scintillating football by Chelsea as Kovacic releases Abraham down the middle, and the forward wins the battle of pace against Veltman only for his effort to get thwarted by the Ajax stopper! Replays show that the England striker was offside though.
51' Abraham manages to get a header in off of Pulisic’s cross following more offensive play by the Blues, but the forward’s effort is tame and Onana easily collects the ball.
49' Pulisic gets into the box and delivers it low towards the onrushing James, who forces a corner to start the second half with. Willian’s set-piece comes to nothing though, and Ajax clear.
47' WHAT A RUN BY ZOUMA! The centre-back embarks on an unchallenged run through the centre of the pitch and tries a shot from distance only for the chance to go well wide! The home crowd applaud his efforts though, and Lampard even can’t help but raise a smile!
46' Chelsea get play restarted as the second half gets underway!
R. James
Marcos Alonso
46' Lampard makes his first change before the start of the second half, bringing on James for Alonso after the latter's error-strewn performance.
Lampard will have his work cut out to inspire his troops to salvage something from this game, with a much improved defensive showing in the second half a must in this battle to top Group H. As for Ten Hag’s side, more of the same, particularly with Ziyech’s dangerous set-pieces, and their chances of leaving London with three points will increase with each passing minute. A fascinating second half awaits.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the first half of this enthralling encounter would make for the perfect advert for the Champions League. Two goals within the first five minutes, one from either side, set the tone for a frantic opening which later saw Ajax go two goals clear from their hosts. Chelsea’s tormentor-in-chief Ziyech has been magnificent throughout, while Promes and Neres continue their recent good form with their constant pressing at a Chelsea defence that has struggled to deal with their attacks for long spells of the game. Despite the unfortunate nature of having conceded two own goals, the Blues can't have any arguments against the fact that Ajax deserve their 3-1 lead heading into the half-time break.
45' + 1' HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-3 AJAX
45' Abraham goes into defensive mode once again, heading away Promes’ free-kick for another corner. There will be one minute of added time to be played.
Azpilicueta
Yellow Card
45' Azpilicueta gets his side’s second yellow card for obstruction, stopping Ziyech from getting on the end of Van De Beek’s throughball.
44' Despite scoring three goals in the first half against Chelsea, Ajax have landed just one shot on target so far.
43' Alonso, who can hit them from distance, gets a low half-volley in amidst a crowded Ajax penalty area to which Onana is equal to.
F. Tomori
Yellow Card
42' Martinez blazes a promising effort over the bar after some enterprising attacking play from the Dutch side. In the meantime, Tomori is booked following a clumsy challenge on Neres despite the latter electing to play on, eventually leading to his teammate’s chance.
40' Chelsea are now the second team to score two own goals in the first half of a Champions League game after CFR Cluj (against Bayern Munich back in October 2010).
38' Better from Chelsea there, as Willian makes a dangerous run into the Ajax penalty area and manages to whip in a low cross that forces Onana to intervene with his outstretched left leg! The visitors clear once again.
37' Pulisic releases Azpilicueta out on the other wing, and the Blues skipper is able to venture forward into the box only for his cross to be intercepted by the Ajax defence and cleared away!
Kepa
Own Goal
35' GOOOOOAAALLLL!!! IT’S NOW 3-1 TO AJAX!! Alonso pays the price for his carelessness as Ziyech’s free-kick is whipped towards Arrizabalaga’s far post with such precision that it hits the bar before going into the back of the net by bouncing off of the Chelsea stopper’s face! A farcical way to concede a goal, and Stamford Bridge falls into silence!
34' Alonso concedes a needless free-kick near the corner flag after an overzealous attempt at winning the ball off of Tadic.
D. Blind
Yellow Card
33' Blind now gets himself in the referee’s book following his cynical attempt at stopping Kovacic as the Chelsea midfielder drove forward.
32' Pulisic’s free-kick is too high to find anyone in a blue shirt though, and Onana comfortably catches the ball.
J. Veltman
Yellow Card
31' Willian goes down after a hard shove on the back by Veltman. The Ajax centre-back gets the game's first booking as a result.
29' Ziyech has either scored or assisted in nine of his last 12 Champions League appearances (four goals and five assists).
27' Ziyech floats in another wonderful cross towards the Chelsea box, forcing Abraham to head the ball behind for a corner. The set-piece is played short, but comes to nothing as Chelsea attempt to counter only for Pulisic to get outmuscled by Mazraoui at the vital moment.
25' Great ball by Willian to release Mount, but the latter quickly loses possession and Ajax quickly go on the break. However, Alonso recklessly lunges into Neres and concedes the foul.
23' Tagliafico tries to play his way out of trouble only to run into a sea of blue shirts. He manages to win the throw-in, and his teammates are able to play the ball back to Onana for the keeper to boot it away.
21' Promes has now scored three goals from just four shots on target in the Champions League this season.
H. Ziyech
Assist
20' Excellent vision by Ziyech there, who managed to spot Promes' run with the latter heading it home.
Q. Promes
Goal
20' GOOOOAAAALLLL!! AJAX MAKE IT 2-1!! Ziyech plays a lovely cross towards the hosts’ six-yard area after more keep-ball from the visitors near the touchline and Promes reacts quickest to head it past Arrizabalaga in no man’s land!
18' Abraham is the only Premier League player to score two own goals in all competitions this season.
16' Tagliafico sends one in the box only for Tomori to head it clear. Martinez regains possession and plays in Ziyech who elects to shoot from distance only for the effort to sail harmlessly wide of Arrizabalaga’s goal.
14' TADIC MISSES A SITTER! Blind plays a lovely ball from deep towards the ex-Southampton frontman, who takes a brilliant touch over Tomori before rifling a powerful drive that really should’ve hit the target! Chelsea escape there!
13' GOOOOAAALLLL!! ABRAHAM MAKES IT 2-1! But it’s not to be, as the flag goes up as soon as the striker is put through on goal by Kovacic with only Onana to beat! Still 1-1 at the Bridge.
11' Another promising run by Pulisic is stopped by Mazraoui, but the hosts continue to threaten in the Ajax half. Both sides look to have settled after that frantic start.
10' Tomori gives the ball away to Tadic, and Ajax attempt to play keep-ball in the Chelsea half. However, Azpilicueta has Neres well covered out on the other wing and the latter concedes a throw-in.
9' Four of Jorginho's five career goals for Chelsea have been from the penalty spot.
8' Willian and Pulisic try to conjure something in the midfield but Ajax quickly regroup and regain possession.
6' Abraham's own goal is the earliest conceded by Chelsea in the Champions League after Stephan El Shaarawy's strike for Roma back in October 2017.
Jorginho
Penalty Goal
4' GOOOOAAALLLL!! CHELSEA EQUALISE! Calm as you like, Jorginho wrongfoots Onana and slots his third penalty of the season to level things and raise the volume at the Bridge once more. It’s now 1-1, and it’s barely been five minutes since the referee’s opening whistle!
3' PENALTY TO CHELSEA!! Immediately after conceding, Pulisic goes on a mazy run towards the visitors’ goal before being hauled down by Veltman in the penalty area! What a start to this game!
T. Abraham
Own Goal
2' GOOOOAAALLLL!!! AJAX GET THE EARLY LEAD!! Azpilicueta’s foul near the touchline brought about a free-kick, which was whipped by Promes and in the chaos inside the Chelsea penalty area, Abraham gets the unfortunate last touch past Arrizabalaga! 1-0 to Ajax, and Stamford Bridge falls silent.
1' Tadic applauds Ziyech’s early attempt to put him through, but Tomori is able to see the ball out for a Chelsea goal kick.
1' The hosts are out in their famed all-blue kit, while the away side are decked in their iconic red-and-white colours.
1' Referee Gianluca Rocchi blows his whistle, and Ajax get us underway at Stamford Bridge!
The players are out and kick-off is drawing near.
Chelsea have a 100% win record in Champions League matches against Dutch opponents, beating Feyenoord twice in the 1999/2000 season and Ajax on matchday three of this campaign.
Despite Martinez’s early withdrawal during Friday’s 4-2 win at Zwolle, Ten Hag names the same lineup that maintained their unbeaten start to their domestic campaign. Ziyech is tasked as the trequartista to supply the ammunition for the in-form Neres and Promes, while goalkeeper Amana, as well as Martinez, are each a booking away from a one-match ban.
Lampard makes only one change from the side that won at Watford over the weekend, with Alonso favoured at left-back over Emerson. Kante and Christensen have also been deemed fit enough to be named among the substitutes. In a surprise move, Olivier Giroud is out of the matchday squad altogether, leaving Batshuayi and Hudson-Odoi as the Blues’ only attacking options off the bench.
SUBSTITUTES: Perr Schuurs, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Razvan Marin, Siem de Jong, Sergino Dest, Edson Alvarez, Bruno Varela.
AJAX XI (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Joel Veltman, Daley Blind, Nicolas Tagliafico; Donny van de Beek, Lisandro Martinez; David Neres, Hakim Ziyech, Quincy Promes; Dusan Tadic (c).
SUBSTITUTES: Andreas Christensen, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Willy Caballero, Billy Gilmour, N'Golo Kante, Michy Batshuayi.
CHELSEA XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta (c), Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Marcos Alonso; Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic; Willian, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic; Tammy Abraham.
And without further ado, let’s take a look at how both sides line up, starting with the hosts.
Last season’s semi-finalists Ajax also head into London in fine form themselves, having only lost one competitive match since the start of the season. That defeat came against today’s opponents, who emerged from the Johan Cruyff Arena with a deserved 1-0 win in their last Champions League outing and by virtue of that victory, currently top the group. That loss doesn’t appear to have dented the Dutch side’s confidence though, with Erik ten Hag’s league champions currently leading the Eredivisie by six points, and he will know that a win today will put them in pole position as group winners and another shot at a fairytale run similar to the previous campaign.
Both sides head into this fixture with six points apiece (two wins and one defeat so far) as they each seek to establish top spot in Group H. Back-to-back losses against Liverpool in the Premier League and Valencia on the opening matchday of the Champions League have failed to deter Chelsea, who are currently on a run of eight wins in their last nine matches and are exceeding expectations as they sit in fourth in the Premier League. Despite their defensive frailties, Frank Lampard’s young Blues have notched two or more goals in six of their last nine games, and the hosts’ gaffer will be aware that his side must remain focused in their quest to consolidate first place and automatic qualification from their group.
Hello, and welcome to our LIVE coverage of this Champions League match as Chelsea host Ajax at Stamford Bridge!
Commentary