Chelsea complete stunning comeback to draw with nine-man Ajax in crazy eight-goal battle

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Believe nothing until the all-seeing eye of the video assistant referee has decreed it so, and as if to prove the case at this remarkable event, when history was rewritten in front of a disbelieving stadium across eight goals, VAR served up two red cards, two penalties and one disallowed winner.

Chelsea vs Ajax, the director’s cut. A Champions League game when nothing could be taken for certain until VAR had rewound and reviewed and it was hard to keep up at times for those in the stadium without the benefit of television replays. There were two Ajax players sent off in the same passage of play and then there was a dramatic late Cesar Azpilicueta winner ruled out long after the Chelsea captain had kissed his armband and launched himself chest-first on the turf.

Azpilicueta thought he had won it before VAR spotted a handball and all concerned looked a bit embarrassed about the preceding ebullience as Chelsea were forced to seek another winner against the nine men of Ajax. The best you could say was that VAR got the decisions right, and that will be enough for most, but watching this game in person was an exercise in piecing the evidence together as best as possible.

“A mad one” was how Frank Lampard would later describe it, although his team were the big VAR beneficiaries especially when it came to the double-red card for Daley Blind and Joel Veltman, the two Ajax centre-halves, with 20 minutes to play. The first for a second yellow for Blind for a foul on Abraham, then a second yellow for Veltman moments later when advantage was played and substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi’s shot struck the defender’s hand.

Unpicking the muddle was the Italian VAR Paolo Valeri, and within a few moments Ajax were two men down and then their lead cut to 4-3 by the resulting penalty. Erik Ten Hag, the Ajax coach, would later say that Blind had been fouled earlier in the key phase of play and that the VAR should have taken that as his starting point.

It leaves Chelsea and the other three clubs in Group H all level on seven points from four games. Lampard’s team will go to Valencia in three weeks’ time for a crucial game. He said that there was much he could admire in this performance, “the spirit we showed and the character – I love”, he said, although it is about to get serious.

There was a first Chelsea goal for the 19-year-old Reece James, on as a substitute for the second half and lashing a shot through the penalty area to equalise at 4-4. He was one of five homegrown Chelsea players to feature over the course of the night. There were two penalties converted in either half by Jorginho, and they will need that composure over the last two group games.

For all their undoubted qualities going forward Chelsea remain vulnerable at the back. Indeed, when Donny Van de Beek scored in the 55th minute to make it 4-1, it felt like Ajax simply had more ringcraft than their opponents. Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists had outplayed Chelsea in the first half and their confidence was undimmed in those late stages when they continued attacking with nine men.

In many respects, Ajax are what Chelsea would like to be – a confident, fluent side who suck opposition in and pass around them. They have two Moroccans, two Argentines, a Brazilian, a Cameroonian and a Serb in their starting line-up, as well as the Dutch; all unmistakeably schooled in the same style of play. They lost their two best players in the summer and yet the daring of last season’s team endures with some wonderful players who will, one assumes, also one day leave.

The first Ajax goal flicked in off Tammy Abraham’s boot, from Quincy Promes’ free-kick out on the left wing with just 1min 46 secs on the clock. The ball that whipped into the area caused Chelsea many problems and no-one did it better for Ajax than the Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech.

His cross on 20 minutes from the right was perfectly flighted for the head of Promes to make it 2-1. Later, on 35 minutes, it was from a free-kick out wide and barely a few feet in from the goalline which Ziyech struck so perfectly that it eluded Kepa Arrizabalaga, cannoned off the post and then went in off the goalkeeper’s face. Ziyech could never have meant it - but his left foot does deliver the ball in ways that make unusual things happen.

Chelsea had equalised shortly after the first Ajax goal in what was a thundering start to the game, Christian Pulisic drawing a foul from Veltman on 2min 50secs, the defender’s first booking. From the penalty spot, the little skip in Jorginho’s run-up sent Andre Onana the wrong way for the first time. Abraham had a goal ruled out for offside on 14 minutes.

Van de Beek made it 4-1 ten minutes after the break when a malfunctioning Chelsea defence gave him space for the shot. For all that, Chelsea had started the half well and their reward came. First a goal from Azpilicueta that looked offside as he turned it in on the line. Then the red cards for Blind and Veltman. Jorginho scored the penalty for 4-3. James drove the ball in for 4-4 and it would have been won for Chelsea by Azpilicueta had VAR not spotted a handball by Abraham. They had already celebrated it like a winner, and faced with scoring another they fell just short.

10:24PM

Frank Lampard's post-match

On the four minutes of extra time.

10:04PM

Reece James post-match interview

9:58PM

That was brilliant fun to watch

An absolute joy to watch and liveblog it.

Games like that make all the 0-0 draws worth it.

9:55PM

Robin Van Persie enjoyed that

9:51PM

FULL TIME

The clock doesn't even go to four minutes of added time and the referee blows his whistle. That was awesome.

9:51PM

90 mins+4 - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

No it's not! Batshuayi takes the ball on the half turn, shows the defender wide but drags his shot wide of the far post. Didn't get a clean hit.

9:50PM

90 mins+4 - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Reece James (19y, 332d) has become Chelsea's youngest ever goalscorer in Champions League history. In other news, he's just crossed directly to Onana. Is that the last chance?

9:49PM

90 mins +3 - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

According to BT Sport the red cards alone took three minutes out of the game. Abraham punts a header way wide of the near post. I'm not sure it's happening. Ajax hanging on.

9:47PM

90 mins +1 - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

What. A. Save. Batshuayi has his back to the defender, draws him in and spins him with one touch, but the shot is blasted low at goal and somehow Onana gets down and is strong enough to block it with one arm.

Only four minutes of added time for two red cards and about 90 goals.

9:46PM

90 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Hudson-Odoi curls one from 25 yards a yard wide of the goal. So close. The goal is coming. Surely.

9:45PM

89 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Another attack for Ajax as Promes dances his way through at goal but the right-back overlaps and shoots hard into Kepa's gloves. Chelsea break, have men over (obviously) and a cross to Abraham is headed straight at the keeper.

Batshuayi is on for Kovacic.

9:45PM

89 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Another attack for Ajax as Promes dances his way through at goal but the right-back overlaps and shoots hard into Kepa's gloves. Chelsea break, have men over (obviously) and a cross to Abraham is headed straight at the keeper.

Batshuayi is on for Kovacic.

9:43PM

87 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Ajax are determined to hold onto the draw and working hard. Tadic squirms away from two players in the corner, the ball is cut back into the area and Chelsea have left the box empty! Alvarez turns and shoots at goal! KEPA SAVES! It's a curling effort struck with power but the goalkeeper turns it away. That would have been a twist!

9:41PM

85 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Apparently quite a few Chelsea fans left at 4-1 and have since tried to make their way back inside. Imagine missing out on all this fun?

9:39PM

83 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Chelsea have the ball in Ajax's half again, they need to move the ball quickly to stretch the Ajax defence but switched passes are being cleared at the moment.

Jorginho chips to Willian on the right, he slices a volley into the area with a stunning first time pass... but Onana saves it.

9:37PM

81 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

And now Ajax have a corner. Can Chelsea get themselves revved up again after the crushing feeling of that disallowed goal?

9:36PM

VAR SAYS NO

And the dastardly video referee has found a reason to disallow that! I don't know what it was but it might be handball. The ball comes off Abraham's hand inside the area.

9:35PM

Chelsea 5 Ajax 4

Azpilicueta scores it. Hudson-Odoi flicks in Azpilicueta with a clever back heel, the ball comes out, the keeper has to save a shot, there's more of a stramash, bodies everywhere.

9:34PM

THIS IS MENTAL

AAGLKLKJDSLKAJDLKSAJDS

9:34PM

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!

THEYVE DONE IT!!!!!!a dsasa jhdsa  lkjhalkjhhdahdsalkjdsadsadsa

9:33PM

77 mins - Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Promes steps up to take a free-kick and Kepa has to touch it over the bar. Lots of dip and power on that shot. Ajax win the corner but how many players do they put in the box? Seems like four in the area. Chelsea clear and then immediately go on the counter.

9:30PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

OH MY GOD ARJHGAJHGJHGRSJHGRSAHGRSAHGRSAJHGRSA

IT'S 4-4 WHAT IS GOING ON THIS GAME IS MENTAL!

Chelsea 4 Ajax 4

Reece James has struck this with the power of a thousand hammers, putting his foot clean through the ball inside the box after a Chelsea corner found Zouma, who hit the bar with a header. It is a stunner of a finish. Ajax are punch drunk, on the ropes.

9:30PM

73 mins - Chelsea 3 Ajax 4

Here we go! Schuurs is on for Neres and Alvarez on for Ziyech.

9:27PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!

JORGINHO SCORES AGAIN!

WHY DOES THE SKIP WORK SO WELL?!

Chelsea 3 Ajax 4

This game is insane. The crowd are right behind their team and Ajax only have nine men!

9:27PM

ANOTHER RED CARD

ANOTHER RED CARD! Veltman is shown a second yellow for dissent - I think. It's Veltman who gave away the penalty as a shot is pinged off his arm. That decision alone is harsh - let alone the second yellow shown by the referee!

This game is mental!

9:25PM

RED CARD

This is so stupid from Blind! First he shoves Jorginho to the floor, gets up then slams into Abraham with a slide tackle and is shown a yellow card. And it's a penalty! I don't really know what's going on!

9:24PM

68 mins - Chelsea 2 Ajax 4

Ajax's press is stopping Chelsea playing out from the back but they stay patient and suddenly Chelsea are away.,.. and IT'S A PENALTY!

9:23PM

67 mins - Chelsea 2 Ajax 4

Pulisic keeps the ball in play with a sexy drag back and the linesman lets play continue even though Ajax are convinced it's gone over the line. Chelsea work the ball all the way up the pitch, Jorginho stabs a shot into the area and it comes off a Chelsea striker in the box, deflecting wide of the far post. Great game.

9:19PM

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!!!!

THE COMEBACK IS ON!!!!

Chelsea 2 Ajax 4

The goal is Azplilicueta's but the run and cross from Hudson-Odoi is key to the goal. He switches play, Willian sends in the assist and Azpilicueta finishes off at the far post.

VAR has a quick check and says the goal is fine.

9:18PM

62 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 4

• Since the start of last season, only Riyad Mahrez (7) has provided more assists in the Champions League than Hakim Ziyech (6). Tadic/Mbappe/Di Maria also on 6.

Hudson-Odoi is on for Mount. Would imagine that'll be the same on the weekend if Mount has rolled his ankle.

9:16PM

60 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 4

Mount has gone down in a lot of pain and may have rolled his ankle. Van De Beek stood on his foot accidentally... or he's just gone over his ankle accidentally. He looks like he's in a lot of pain. If you've done that before yourself you'll know that he'd be as well going off the pitch - takes ages for that to stop hurting, let alone recover enough to play elite football.

9:15PM

58 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 4

Chelsea have a chance to get counter straight away - a loose pass to Willian gives them a three v two... but the pass is poor and across the box.

9:11PM

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!

Ajax have a fourth!

Chelsea 1 Ajax 4

This is a brilliant finish. Ajax keep the pitch nice and wide, work it down the wing, Van de Beek ghosts into space in the area and kills a pass dead before smashing it low across the goalkeeper.

9:10PM

54 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

Chelsea looking really good here, playing with intensity and driving at Ajax every chance they get. A move through the middle lets Jorginho thread a little ball through to Abraham, he's behind the defence and one v one with the goalkeeper... but he hits the shot off balance and it's saved.

They keep the pressure up from the corner, James overlaps to put a cross into the area and it's a goal kick. Fun game to watch.

9:08PM

52 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

Pulisic is absolutely rapid. He has a 10 yard start on the full-back, pushes it past him and still reaches the ball first, hitting low across the box but  there's no striker - hardly surprise considering how hard it is to keep with Sonic the Hedgehog.

Chelsea are on the attack, every player allowed to run with the ball towards goal. It must be a nightmare to play against.

9:05PM

49 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

I think Zouma's shot has just landed at Heathrow.

9:04PM

48 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

What the... what's he doing.. where.... why... Zouma is running... with the ball... from his own box... all the way and he's in the final third and he's only got one to beat and he does a stepover and moves onto his right foot aND HE SHOOOOOOOTSSSSSS over the bar. That would have been the best goal in history. Zouma. Did not see that coming.

9:02PM

KICK OFF 2

Alonso is off, Reece James on! He goes to right back and Azpilicueta to left, which I think might be so that there's a right footer to defend against Ziyech's left foot on that side.

8:57PM

Ziyech's goal which was actually an own goal

8:47PM

Scripting

• Ajax have scored three goals in the first half so far vs Chelsea, despite landing just one shot on target.

8:46PM

HALF TIME

The referee decides there's no time for the corner and that's the end of the half. Lovely stuff.

8:46PM

45 mins +2 - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

Ajax win another free-kick wide left, from the same spot they scored the opener. Azpilicueta booked. Will Chelsea defend this one better?

Yes they do and it goes behind for a corner.

8:44PM

45 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

Alonso hits a powerful low drive at goal but it's down the middle and Onana saves easily.

Having watched the replay of the Kepa own goal, it is really funny and definitely an own goal. Kepa is diving, mid air and the ball smacks off his face before going in.

8:42PM

43 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

Alonso has just hit one of the worst crosses of the season, possibly ever witnessed at Stamford Bridge in a Champions League game. Rather than cross it he puts his foot through the ball and launches it away from goal. Pretty weird. Ajax don't care and counter-attack, there's a bit of a rammy as Chelsea think they're getting a free-kick but don't... and the Ajax attack comes to nothing.

8:39PM

40 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

• Chelsea have conceded three goals in the first half of a Champions League game for the first time in their history.

For those who like a statistic.

And the goal has been given as an own goal. How is that fair?

8:38PM

38 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

That goal might be given as a own goal because the ball hits off Kepa's face before going in. Would be so harsh if it is.

8:35PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!

HOLY MOLEY! Ziyech scores!

Chelsea 1 Ajax 3

What a hit. That is unbelievable! Ziyech smashes one high and curling over the goalkeeper. It hits the far post and goes in! It's brilliant.

8:34PM

35 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 2

Blind is booked for fouling Kovacic which means both centre-backs are on yellow cards. Tadic earns himself a free-kick as Alonso needlessly pushes him to the floor near the corner flag. I predict another in-swinger.

8:32PM

33 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 2

Veltman is booked for a bit of a lunge on Willian, shoving him out of play.

Pulisic gives a signal before he takes the free-kick and apparently raising his right hand in the air indicates the ball will be swung into the goalkeeper's arms. An interesting ploy but not one I'm sure will work.

8:30PM

31 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 2

Chelsea don't seem to be in control but their strength really is in the counter-attack - the way this game is shaped suits both teams.

8:27PM

28 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 2

Another inswinging corner from the right for Ajax and again it nearly ends up in the back of the net! A header flicks it out for a corner but Kepa was at full stretch diving to stop that one.

8:26PM

25 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 2

Glenn Hoddle reckons that as Ajax get fatigued from this high press, Chelsea will find more ways into the game. I'm not sure Chelsea even need the ball, they're great on the counter and Willian's pass to split two defenders nearly puts Mount away on the attack. A tackle stops the move.

8:22PM

22 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 2

Chelsea being pressed high up the pitch, Ajax forcing mistakes out of them.

8:19PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

What a goal! Ajax are back in front!

Chelsea 1 Ajax 2

Ajax work the ball on the right, stay patient, pass it around and then a curling cross guided to the back post from Ziyech's left foot finds Promes sneaking in behind Azpilicueta. Superb finish.

8:15PM

16 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 1

A long ball up from Blind, Tadic takes it down with a brilliant first touch but then shoots over with his left foot. The touch to kill the ball was superb.

Ajax have a free-kick soon after and the delivery makes the defenders work. Cleared.

8:14PM

14 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 1

Another nice Chelsea move is cut short as Martinez slides in and takes out Willian. And ABRAHAM IS IN BEHIND THE DEFENCE! A brilliant run from Kovacic to take the ball up the pitch, Abraham goes a little early and though he finishes past the goalkeeper, it's clear he's offside.

8:11PM

11 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 1

Kovacic picks up a loose ball - Ajax have been really scrappy so far - and dribbles past a couple of chances before reaching the box! Could he go all the way?! No. No he can't.

8:08PM

9 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 1

Willian does well to read a pass and intercepts, knocking it Pulisic, who heads back trying to put him away beyond the defence but gets the direction a little off.

8:06PM

7 mins - Chelsea 1 Ajax 1

And Ajax have a corner immediately after kick off. The stadium sounds so weird without away fans - there are little periods of silence and rustling even after that action packed start. Usually TV companies set up mics next to the away end because they always sing loudly and throughout - without them it's hushed.

8:04PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

JORGINHO LEVELS!

Chelsea 1 Ajax 1

Jorginho does that little skip just before he kicks the ball and Onana goes the wrong way. That skip really seems to work.

8:03PM

PENALTY!

And now Chelsea have a penalty! Jeez this has started well. Chelsea attack straight away, Pulisic is taken down inside the area, the referee has no doubts about it.

8:02PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

AJAX SCORE!

Chelsea 0 Ajax 1

What a weird sound - nobody celebrates! It sounds like Chelsea fans going 'OH NO!'. The free-kick is sent into the area, Abraham goes to attack/clear it and ends up flicking the ball past his goalkeeper.

8:02PM

2 mins - Chelsea 0 Ajax 0

Ajax have started aggressively, pushing high up the pitch and showing intent to get at Chelsea. They win a free-kick wide left after a foul by Azpilicueta.

8:00PM

KICK OFF

And they're off!

7:44PM

Lampard pre-match words

Lampard says Alonso is in because he's protecting Emerson as he's coming back from injury, and doing the same with Kante, who "needs a bit of love and care". We need him, he's world class."

"Against a real high end opposition [bravery] comes into play. The press is good, the lines are good, we have to reach that level and even off the back of two good wins there's a lot of work to be done."

7:40PM

Listen to our podcast

We had an idea at the Telegraph. This podcast thing - it's going to be big, mark my words. Always innovating, we decided to launch the world's only football podcast.

7:36PM

A tennis man is here

Not Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but Alexander Zverev, who I am led to believe is very good at tennis. He's being given a tour of Stamford Bridge - no confirmation that he's going to play a set on the pitch during half time.

7:23PM

Ajax fans planning to make their way inside?

Ajax fans are barred from attending the game tonight and Chelsea are prepared for any who attempt to get into the home end tonight. The reason for the fans being banned is crowd trouble caused in Valencia last month. According to reports, 100s of Ajax fans have made their way to London for the game tonight.

7:15PM

Christian Pulisic

I wrote this piece on Christian Pulisic and it seemed to really divide people, with a huge amount slagging me off on Twitter for it.

The idea is that he's not the finished article yet and needs to be a little more positionally disciplined... but that the chaos created without that polish is how he managed to score a hat-trick against Burnley. To be clear, he's a great player. See what you think.

6:56PM

Starting lineups

6:54PM

Chelsea team news

Alonso back in for Emerson, Kante rested on his return from injury and Abraham starts again. Expect to see Batshuayi midway through the second half.

6:51PM

The chaaaaaampions

Hello and welcome to our liveblog for Chelsea vs Ajax, the return leg of a fantastic game Frank Lampard's team won in Amsterdam. Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to win that one but will he get a run in the first XI tonight?

Chelsea have been excellent fun to watch this season and tonight should be no different. Somewhat predictably, Lampard has assured everyone that they're not finished cooking yet.

"At times we are certainly producing some of the form I want from us.

"I will say our work-rate off the ball, although this was a different type of game, in some games we’ve been pushed hard – Ajax away, Liverpool and games like that. That’s been something that’s really pleased me. They’ve worked and they’ve done that through training at a level that’s got them fit enough. We work a lot on that. In periods of games I’m really pleased with how we’re combining and switching the ball, the wingers are getting involved in the game.

"If I’ve got a gripe it’s that we’re not sustaining that for long enough periods at times. I know it’s not easy, but we always strive for more. I’m pleased with big parts of it, but we can get better."

Ajax lost a couple of big players over the summer but are still a fantastic side, full of creativity and capable of taking the three points tonight. You can follow all the action with us right here in this liveblog.