Chelsea welcomed Shaktar Donetsk to Stamford Bridge tonight knowing that a win by more than two goals would see them go top of Group E.
The Ukrainian side played brilliantly in west London, but were denied a precious point by Victor Moses deep in injury time.
The former Wigan Athletic man headed home Juan Mata's corner with the last action of the game. It was not enough to see the Blues go top, but they are now equal on points with Shakhtar.
You can read how the action-packed five-goal thriller unfolded below.
Good evening folks. Welcome to Sports Mole for live text commentary of Chelsea's Champions League encounter with Shakhtar Donetsk.
We have some team news for you...
Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, David Luiz, Bertrand; Ramires, Mikel; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres
Subs: Turnbull, Romeu, Moses, Marin, Sturridge, Terry, Azpilicueta
Subs: Turnbull, Romeu, Moses, Marin, Sturridge, Terry, Azpilicueta
Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Fernandinho, Hubschmann; Willian, Mkhitaryan, Teixeira; Adriano
Subs: Kanibolotskiy, Chygrynskiy, Stepanenko, Shevchuk, Douglas, Ilsinho, Eduardo
Subs: Kanibolotskiy, Chygrynskiy, Stepanenko, Shevchuk, Douglas, Ilsinho, Eduardo
John Terry starts on the bench tonight, with Di Matteo opting for the central defensive partnership of Gary Cahill and David Luiz.
Juan Mata has overcome a hamstring injury to be named in tonight's starting lineup, and Branislav Ivanovic makes his 300th career appearance today, so well done to him.
These two teams have only ever met once before, and that was two weeks ago when Shakhtar won 2-1.
Shakhtar have never won on English soil; a run stretching four games. The best they have done is a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane in 2009, when they advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup 3-1 on aggregate and went on to win the tournament. Remember Vagner Love? Yeah, well he's still only 28 and playing at Flamengo, despite bursting onto the scene about a billion years ago.
As well as topping this group, the visitors are 12 points clear in the Ukrainian league with a 100% record from 14 games. And tonight is their 50th Champions League game. There's certainly a lot to be happy about in Donetsk at the moment.
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We also have coverage of Manchester United's trip to Braga with Matt Law here, while Robert Summerscales is on duty for Celtic vs. Barcelona here.
The teams are making their way onto the pitch and we're just minutes from kickoff at Stamford Bridge.
Shakhtar get this game underway...
Bertrand concedes a needless corner.
The corner comes to nothing, but Shakhtar regain possession and come forward once again. They've won a free kick from around 35 yards.
The free kick bounces once and then into Cech's arms. On target, but never troubling the Czech.
Chelsea now have a free kick from 30 yards out. David Luiz looks like he wants this one...
It's a similar free kick, but this time Pyatov spills the catch and Cahill nearly latches onto it.
GOAL! TORRES GIVES CHELSEA THE LEAD!
And just when the Spaniard had missed a golden opportunity to score, he capitalises on a poor back pass to block Pyatov's clearance and give Chelsea the lead!
Oscar had played a lovely ball from the left and Torres took too long to get a shot away and was closed down by Pyatov. Shakhtar tried to play their way out of defence and got it all wrong. Torres charged down Pyatov in a flash.
The Spanish striker is really on his game tonight, as he skips past a challenge and shoots at goal, but Pyatov saves down low.
GOAL! WILLIAN DRAWS SHAKTAR LEVEL!
It was a superb run by Fernandinho, as he weaved his way into the box and cut back for Willian, who found himself 12 yards out with a mass of players on the line, but found a way through.
Shaktar are pressing forward now. They are looking rather lively and passing the ball very nicely.
Cech spills a corner but Hubschmann can't capitalise. It's been an action-packed start at Stamford Bridge!
SHOT! Fernandinho forces Cech to make a save. It was sweetly struck but was palmed away.
A nice dummy from Torres creates half a chance but the Spaniard can't work Pyatov from a tight angle. Unlucky.
It's been a terrific first 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Both teams look dangerous going forward and there's certainly more goals in this one.
SHOT! Adriano knocks down a long ball for Mkhitaryan to run onto but he blazes his volley wide.
Mkhitaryan has a bit of space on the edge of the area but produce and air shot. Always embarrassing for a professional footballer, surely.
Torres nearly gets on the end of Ivanovic's cross but it's headed away from goal.
Both teams are working extremely hard without the ball. It's great to watch and it looks like causing problems for the defences, but I can't see this pace lasting.
There's no doubt that Shakhtar have come to win this game, because victory would see them qualify tonight. They have the tools as well, it seems. And with Juventus 2-0 up against Nordsjaelland Chelsea must win this game.
CLOSE! Some lovely build-up play sees Teixeria with a sight at goal, but his shot goes wide of Cech's goal. That was a fantastic move by Shakhtar!
Celtic are at it again. They are leading Barcelona 1-0 at Celtic Park.
A nervy moment in defence from David Luiz. Nothing new there, then.
Torres takes an ungracious tumble trying to backhell the ball to Hazard.
Fantastic technique from Razvan Rat! He nearly finds Adriano with a volleyed cross from a long ball. that would have been some goal.
Srna gets in down the right once again and nearly finds Adriano with the cut back! Corner to Shakhtar...
GOAL! OSCAR PUTS CHELSEA BACK IN FRONT!
Chelsea scrambled the ball clear from Shaktar's corner and broke down field. Pyatov came well off his line to head the ball away and only succeeded in finding Oscar. The Brazilian found the back of the net from around 40 yards out. Superb technique!
Shakhtar have not been deterred by that goal. They're coming forward again. Oscar's strike has reignited the contest and it's you attack/we attack again.
It's been a fantastic game so far. Non-stop action. Oscar manages to craft half a chance, but Pyatov pushes his stabbed effort over the bar. Corner for Chelsea.
Shakhtar's only weakness seems to be their goalkeeper. He is riddled with uncertainty and quite erratic.
Another piece of sloppy defending from David Luiz nearly gifts Adriano a chance, but the danger is cleared.
Chelsea 1-1 Shakhtar
Well that first half has just flown by. It's been such a good game to watch, with plenty for both managers to be pleased about.
David Luiz has been suspect at the back for the Blues, while Andriy Pyatov does not look all too secure between the sticks for Shakhtar.
His clearance made it easy for Torres to charge the ball down for the first goal, and he came so far off his line to head the ball away for the second goal, giving Oscar an open goal to aim at. The Brazilian still had a lot to do from well out, but managed to find the net with a beautiful strike.
You can read the Half-Time Report from this match by clicking here.
Celtic still lead Barcelona 1-0 at half time.
But back at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are ready to resume play for the second half.
GOAL! WILLIAN SCORES HIS SECOND OF THE GAME TO DRAW SHAKHTAR LEVEL ONCE MORE!
It was a goal of absolute quality! Fernandinho split the Chelsea defence with a great ball for Srna, and the Croatian international squared the ball for Willian to strike past Cech at his near post! Simple yet brilliant.
SHOT! Rat smashes one from 25 yards out and it cannons off the post! Great effort!
Chelsea's defending is so poor at the moment. Luiz is giving it away again. It's all Shakhtar and they're looking like the likely winners!
Hazard is about to whip a free kick into the box...
It evades everyone on its way out for a goal kick! Ivanovic was just caught a bit flat footed.
John Terry is warming up on the exercise bike on the sidelines. Let's face it, Luiz has to come off. He's been poor tonight.
Adriano is giving David Luiz the runaround.
And now it's the turn of Pyatov to rival David Luiz's bid to be tonight's worst performer. Another poor clearance, this time wit his foot, nearly gifts the ball to Hazard.
Torres wins a free kick on the edge of the area. Mata stands over it...
GOAL DISALLOWED! Mikel's header finds the net but the linesman correctly flags for offiside!
There's a brief delay as Kucher is down receiving treatment. It's been the first real interruption of the night. the game has flowed wonderfully, and it's been an enjoyable one to watch.
Torres nearly gathers another Pyatov spill. Dodgy keeper.
PENALTY CLAIM! Ramires goes down under the challenge of Srna but but referee isn't interested!
CLOSE Rat's dangerous ball into the box is knocked behind for a corner.
The corner is cleared but Shakhtar retain possession.
The visitors have proven that the result two weeks ago was no fluke here tonight. A very impressive display indeed.
Alex Teixeira is replaced by Ilsinho
Oscar darts into the box but his effort is blocked by three Shakhtar players. Chelsea continue to press forward and win a corner.
SHOT! Pyatov punches the ball to Mikel from the corner but the Nigerian shoots wide!
Victor Moses is coming on to replace Oscar
Ramires is playing left-back now and David Luiz has been moved into the midfield. Ryan Bertrand has been moved into the centre. John Terry must really be struggling with an injury.
Corner for Chelsea.
Ivanovic nearly gets on the end of it but Willian hacks clear for another corner.
Srna heads away Mata's cross.
Chelsea are pressing forward and Shakhtar look happy to counter. Neither team is able to find that killer pass, however.
BOOKING! Luiz gives away a rather silly foul and goes into the book for it.
Daniel Sturridge comes on for Fernando Torres
CHANCE! Shakhtar should be in front and are guilty of over elaborate play! They carved Chelsea open and had three bites at the cherry, but could not even muster a shot on target!
That looked like curtains for Chelsea! But they're still in this one!
Shakhtar are now finishing strongly. They have a free kick inside Chelsea's half.
Corner for Chelsea!
GOAL! VICTOR MOSES WINS IT FOR CHELSEA!
The new signing gets in front of his marker to score his first Champions League goal for Chelsea!
Chelsea 3-2 Shakhtar donetsk
Written by
Michael Penkman
Michael Penkman
