Genk: Chelsea's bad week continued to their European exploits as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Racing Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Brazilian midfielder Ramires opened the scoring for the Blues mid-way through the first half, however a missed first-half penalty from David Luiz inspired the hosts to make a comeback and equalise through Jelle Vossen in the second half and claim a memorable point for the Belgian side.
Andre Villas-Boas dropped his controversy-hit captain John Terry to the bench to make room for David Luiz, while Oriol Romeu was given an opportunity to impress in the centre of midfield and Fernando Torres returned up front. Kevin de Bruyne, understood to be a long-time target for the Blues, lined up against them for the home side in midfield.
The hosts controlled possession in the opening exchanges but the visitors worked hard to get into the game and quieten the lively Belgian fans. The majority of the game was spent in the middle of the pitch and chances were limited. The one opportunity the hosts did have was inspired by De Bruyne, he lifted a cross past the Chelsea defence to find Jelle Vossen in space in the area, but the forward's shot was tame.
The game's first clear chance came in the 24th minute and it led to Chelsea's opening goal. Ramires picked the ball up on the right of midfield and set off on a surging run towards the Genk penalty area, as he neared the 18-yard box he exchanged passes with Fernando Torres, and the Brazilian fired low through the legs of Koteles from a tight angle.
Buoyed by the goal the visitors looked to double their advantage quickly and came close through the lively Torres. Five minutes after Ramires' goal he picked the ball up 30 yards from goal, set himself and fired a powerful shot towards goal, but his effort flew wide.
Chelsea were now in total control and the chances kept coming for Villas Boas' men. In the 34th minute they had a great opportunity to double their lead, Ashley Cole delivered a perfect cross for Ramires, but the Brazilian was unable to get his header on target from five yards.
And a minute later they were nearly gifted their second by former Portsmouth defender Anthony Vanden Borre. Florent Malouda got himself into the penalty area and pulled the ball into the six-yard box where the defender's stretched out foot nearly sent the ball beyond his goalkeeper.
Raul Meireles had been influential for Chelsea and the next opportunity fell to the Portuguese midfielder and although he beat Koteles, he was denied by the woodwork. Torres controlled a long ball out of defence and rolled the ball into the path of Meireles, who let fly from 30 yards, but it smacked against the crossbar.
A crazy 10 minutes ended with Chelsea's best opportunity to double their lead as they were awarded a penalty after a Malouda cross was handled by Thomas Buffel. The midfielder appeared to move his hand towards the cross which left the referee with no choice than to award the spot kick. In the absence of Frank Lampard, David Luiz stepped up to take the penalty but Koteles saved his effort diving to his right.
With the half coming to an end, Genk had an opportunity to go into the break level after Vossen was fouled by Branislav Ivanovic outside the penalty area. Daniel Tozser stepped up to take the set piece but his effort flew well over Petr Cech's crossbar.
The hosts came out for the second period fired up and ready to take the game to Chelsea and two chances within a minute lifted spirits of the home support.
Six minutes into the half Tozser played a neat ball into the impressive De Bruyne inside the penalty area, but his shot was easily saved by Cech in the Chelsea goal.
A minute later the Czech goalkeeper was called into action again, this time an excellent run from Vanden Borre ended with a pass into Kennedy Mwanganga in the penalty area. He let the ball come across his body but as he got the shot away, it was saved by Cech who had spread himself to deny the striker.
The visitors were withstanding the pressure well and they looked to take the sting out of the Genk attacks with a second goal, but their chances were easy for Koteles to handle. Torres could have done better with a header from a Malouda corner and Meireles sent a long-distance strike straight down the throat of the keeper.
However Chelsea's attempts to ease the pressure were in vain as the hosts got their first Champions League goal to level through Vossen. De Bruyne and Fabien Camus combined down the left, before the midfielder fired in a low cross into the penalty area, and it was Vossen who got on the end of the cross and he fired into the back of the net.
Genk were now applying serious pressure and Villas Boas showed his concern with the introduction of Lampard, Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge for the disappointing Nicolas Anelka, Oriel Romeu and goalscorer Ramires.
Chelsea had a great chance to retake the lead in the 74th minute through Meireles. Malouda worked himself into a good position to deliver a cross to the Portuguese international, but he could only head the ball straight at Koteles, who saved easily.
The changes made by Villas Boas were beginning to have an impact on the game as Sturridge and Lampard combined to create a brilliant opportunity for the midfielder. Sturridge raced clear down the Chelsea right before firing a low cross into the six-yard box but Lampard was unable to turn the ball into the net from three yards with the goal at his mercy.
As the game entered the final ten minutes Chelsea were back in the ascendancy and pushing for a winning goal, and the man at the centre of everything was the substitute Sturridge. The youngster fired a long range shot towards goal but Koteles was again equal to it and denied the striker.
Another substitute, this one for the hosts, Anthony Limbombe nearly sent the home crowd crazy with a great late chance. De Bruyne set the striker clear down the left side of the penalty area but his low shot was well dealt with by Cech.
Chelsea thought they were going to steal the victory in the closing minutes but they had watch in agony as Malouda's chip over Koteles was cleared off the line as the hosts hung on for a famous point.
However, a bad night for the Blues was saved by Valencia, who beat Bayer Leverkusen in Spain. It left Chelsea with two more points than second-placed Leverkusen in Group E.
Valencia striker Jonas scored the second-fastest goal in Champions League history and his team added two more in the second half to beat Leverkusen 3-1.
The Brazilian scored after 10 seconds before Stefan Kiesling equalized for Leverkusen with a 31st-minute header at Mestalla stadium.
Valencia kept alive their hopes of reaching the knock-out stages - they would have had little chance without a victory - thanks to goals from striker Roberto Soldado in the 65th and defender Adil Rami in the 75th.
Valencia's first victory gives them five points to sit one behind their German opponents with two games to play. Group E leaders Chelsea have eight points, while Genk have two points.
Jonas' goal was the quickest since Roy Makaay scored for Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in 2007, which was a shade faster than 10 seconds.
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