Chelsea’s future in this season’s Champions League will come down to the final group match after they were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Valencia.
In an incident-packed clash, the Blues were eight minutes from sealing progress to the last-16 before Daniel Wass’ cross somehow found a way into the net.
Mateo Kovacic netted his first Chelsea goal after after Carlos Soler put the hosts in front, then VAR came to the visitors’ aid by awarding a Christian Pulisic strike.
Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a penalty to keep Frank Lampard’s side in the lead, but the Spanish goalkeeper was helpless as Wass’ cross sailed over his head and cannoned in off the post.
A draw still leaves Chelsea in a favourable position, with Lille travelling to Stamford Bridge on the final day while Ajax and Valencia face off.
And, in truth, it was probably the fairest result after the hosts missed a staggering amount of unbelievable opportunities, including a sitter at the death in a breathless finale.
Lampard will probably reflect on a point gained rather than two lost, despite the lead, and a win against Lille will definitely send them through.
But they may have to do so without star striker Tammy Abraham, who was stretchered off and taken to hospital after a nasty-looking fall in the fist-half.
Chelsea started brightly with Willian and Abraham both unable to convert teasing crosses from James.
But once Valencia settled, the middle third of the half turned into Maxi Gomez’s profligacy show.
Parejo sent Rodrigo racing down the inside right and his delicious cross left Gomez salivating on a far-post tap-in. The charitable description would be that he tripped, but in truth he kicked his feet together and the ball trickled past an open goal and to safety.
The Uruguay star at least connected with a header, but could not steer it away from Kepa, and when the Chelsea stopper deflected his point-blank effort he was left to kick out at the only thing left within range, those advertising boards.
Chelsea came again, Abraham firing wide from another James cross and then seeing a fine snap shot tipped over the bar by Jasper Cillessen after Kante’s cute flick.
Winger Soler broke the deadlock when Kepa could not keep out his flicked finish despite reaching the effort with enough of a palm to feel frustrated not to complete the save.
But in a flash and out of the blue Chelsea were level, back on terms in less than a minute. Kovacic controlled well on the edge of the area and drilled home a fine, accurate finish.
The former Real Madrid man then jumped straight from breaking his Blues duck to almost doubling his club tally, only to see his close-range effort rebuffed after Pulisic had played him in on the left.
Abraham was carried from the field on a stretcher to end the half, with Michy Batshuayi on in his stead after the interval.
The personnel change did not disrupt Chelsea’s attacking flow however and Lampard’s men quickly stole the lead.
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Pulisic turned in Zouma’s knock down, squeezing the ball under Cillessen. The assistant referee raised his offside flag, but after a lengthy VAR check the goal was awarded.
Valencia rallied and Rodrigo fluffed an attempted lob after Kepa and Christensen were caught in a muddle, with the failed effort a big reprieve for both.
Jorginho was lucky to escape a second booking and red card when conceding a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Gaya, leaving the hosts incensed that the Brazil star remained on the field.
Home skipper Parejo stepped up for the spot kick, only to see Kepa pull off a stunning save.
Just as Chelsea thought they could see out the pivotal victory, Wass launched a cross into the area that hung so high as to drift over Kepa and into the net.
The stunned visitors toiled away in search of a late winner but to no avail, and Rodrigo even had time to fluff another far-post tap-in.