Chelsea have failed to break the deadlock against Maribor in their Champions League fixture in Slovenia.
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Straight from the first whistle Chelsea had the upper hand, with Kurt Zouma missing the top corner by inches after directing a header towards goal from a Filipe Luis cross.
Didier Drogba, who had replaced Diego Costa, also looked a threat in the opening stages and he saw a deflected shot saved by Jasmin Handanovic after combining well with Eden Hazard.
Maribor had improved by the midway point of the half but it was Chelsea who were creating the clearer opportunities with Andre Schurrle miscuing at the back post from a Willian cross, but the German was adjudged to have been marginally offside.
Drogba had a set piece comfortably held by Handanovic but the Maribor stopper would have been struggling had Schurrle's blistering strike not been a couple of yards off target.
Chelsea continued to press as the half wore to a close, but Maribor comfortably held out and will take confidence from holding the Premier League leaders at the break.
Darren Plant
