Chelsea v Sydney FC video highlights: EPL champions defeat A-League outfit 1-0 at ANZ Stadium
SAME result, different English Premier League opposition.
For the second time in three days Sydney FC were beaten by a goal to nil, this time against the champions Chelsea in front of a record crowd of 83,598 at ANZ Stadium.
But the Sky Blues will be far from disappointed with their showing, particularly when a late flurry of chances so nearly earned them an equaliser. Graham Arnold’s men were beaten by a stunning Loic Remy strike, who led the line of a near full-strength Chelsea side that included stars Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic and John Terry.
But Sydney gave an excellent account of themselves, particularly young Alex Gersbach down the left. In a moment he just might cherish for a while, the 18-year-old got the better of Cesar Azpilicueta at the byline, before cutting the ball back to Robert Stambolziev, who blazed his shot high and over.
Chelsea forward Loic Remy was the difference between the sides. Source: AFP
At the other end, Rhyan Grant will also be reminding everyone of the time he went shoulder to shoulder with Costa and won.
It was end to end stuff in the first half, but Chelsea’s quality was unmistakable. From Terry’s crunching tackle on Chris Naumoff, to Costa’s dance through three Sydney defenders before squeezing the ball through Vedran Janjetovic’s legs.
Chelsea's Loic Remy, centre, is congratulated by his teammates. Source: AP
Then there was Remy’s goal in the 30th minute. The French forward created space for himself on the edge of the box by cutting the ball back onto his left foot, before curling his shot into the top corner. Just like Harry Kane’s strike for Spurs three days earlier, it was a worthy winner.
But, to Sydney’s credit, they got right back into the game and had a chance to reply immediately after. Shane Smeltz unleashed Naumoff, who forced Petr Cech into a save before Alex Brosque’s attempt from the rebound was cleared off the line by Branislav Ivanovic.
Chelsea F.C. player Eden Hazard was at his breathtaking best. Source: AP
Both Jose Mourinho and Arnold may have joked before the game about who could park the bigger bus, but there was none to be seen on either side of the field.
The game opened up, with both sides creating enough chances, but at the break it was still 1-0 to Chelsea. Costa couldn’t quite see out the first half after he picked up a slight knock to his Achilles and was forced off early.
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho in action. Source: AFP
As expected, a string of substitutions were made at the start of the second half, but Mourinho left the EPL’s player of the season on the field for a while longer. So many in the huge crowd would have come to get a glimpse of Hazard, and the Belgian No.10 provided plenty of value with some excellent touches.
But it was Gersbach again who made a telling contribution, this time in defence, when he cleared Remy’s goal-bound shot off the line after Janjetovic was beaten. Other than that, Janjetovic pulled off a couple of super saves.
But, try as they might, the Sky Blues just couldn’t break through Chelsea’s famed defence.
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