Valencia 'STUN' Chelsea at the Bridge as Lampard continue to hunt for his first home victory

Rodrigo’s 74-minute goal was enough to hand the Spanish team three points

Valencia 'STUN' Chelsea at the Bridge as Lampard continue to hunt for his first home victory
Cheslsea lose at the Bridge

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea lost at home in their UEFA Champions League opener against Valencia for the first time in three years.

Rodrigo’s 74-minute goal was enough to hand the Spanish team three points after Ross Barkley failed to redeem the home side through a penalty.

Newly-appointed Valencia coach Albert Celades sprung a surprise in his first Champions League line-up, with Goncalo Guedes omitted from the side that were thrashed 5-2 at Barcelona over the weekend. Guedes made way for Denis Cheryshey and Geoffrey Kondogbia replaced Ferran Torres in midfield.

Former Arsenal players Gabriel and Francis Coquelin also started for Valencia.

Frank Lampard made one change to the Chelsea team that demolished Wolves at Molineux. It came in defence, as Kurt Zouma replaced the injured Antonio Rudiger at the heart of the Blues' three-man defence.

Mason Mount was subbed off the game as early as the 15-minute after former Arsenal player, Coquelin was shown the yellow for a wild tackle on the Chelsea talisman. He made his way down as Pedro too his place.

Chelsea enjoyed posession in the introductory minutes with Jorginho and Alonso being key personnel for driving the team on.

Chelsea tried to force an opening in the 26 minute through midfield with wonderful interplay passes between Kovacic, Jorginho and Willian. The Brazilian tried to find the onrushing Pedro but his pass bounced through to Cillessen.

Valencia devised an opportunity as Gameiro beat Chelsea’s offside trap but his touch was heavy and Tomori got back to clear the danger before he could get a shot away.

Pedro drive Chelsea on

The second half saw both teams knocking at each other’s door with fine cautious possession. Valencia was at it again against the hosts. A corner was waved in and pulled back to Gameiro on the edge of the area, and a number of smart blocks prevented the Chelsea defence from scrambling out to close the angle. The Frenchman had a free shot from 18 yards but sent a curling effort over.

Chelsea begun to turn their screw in hunt for the opening goal. Willian led a rapid counter but got in the middle and neither shot nor released Abraham through on goal as Valencia scrambled it clear. Pedro received the ball on the edge of the box and curled a left foot effort a yard wide of the top corner.

Valencia finally broke the deadlock in the 74-minute. Parejo floated a beautiful ball into the Chelsea area and from the left, which reached Rodrigo unmarked six yards out. He had a lot to do from a narrow angle but dug out an effort, scuffing a shot into the ground that looped over Kepa into the top corner.

Chelsea was awarded a penalty six minutes to time after Tomori’s header from a Chelsea corner struck Wass arm in in the area. VAR checked the incident and a confirmation was given. Jorginho and Barkley fought over the ball as the former Everton man did not back down but failed to find the back of the net with his kick clipping the top of the bar.

The game ended in favor of Valencia.