Chelsea 1 Salzburg 1 : Chukwuemeka benched as Okafor's goal earns point for Austrians

Nigeria-eligible midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka was on the bench for all 90 minutes in Graham Potter's first game in charge of Chelsea as they drew 1-1 against Salzburg at Stamford Bridge Wednesday night on matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League in Group E.

A minute silence was observed in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II who died last week Thursday.

The Blues were desperate for a win after their opening day defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on matchday 1 of the competition which led to the the sacking of manager Thomas Tuchel.

Salzburg fielded cap-tied Switzerland international of Nigerian descent Noah Okafor in attack while Junior Adamu entered the game as a substitute with twenty minutes remaining.

However the visitors were without former Nigeria youth international Samson Tijani and Justin Omoregie through injuries.

Chelsea dominated play and went close to scoring a couple of times in the first half although Okafor gave Thiago Silva some problems with his energy at the other end.

Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 48th minute through Raheem Sterling who found the bottom right hand corner after Reece James and Mason Mount combined to set him up for his fourth goal for his new team.

Chelsea came close to doubling their lead but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz failed to finish the half chances they had.

Okafor equalised for the Austrian side in the 75th minute as he was set up by Adamu who teed up the forward albeit the Blues complained about a possible foul leading to the goal. Okafor earlier his header saved moments earlier.

Armando Broja had the last real chance for Chelsea to win it but fired his effort wide.

Chelsea, bottom of the log after two matches, will face AC Milan next on Matchday 3.

Izuchukwu Michael

Photo Credit : uefa.com

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