Chelsea vs Zenit LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action as the Blues began the defence of their European crown
Romelu Lukaku’s pinpoint header rescued Chelsea’s first match as Champions League holders in a 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg.
Belgium hitman Lukaku bagged his third goal in two games and his fourth for Chelsea since his £98million switch from Inter Milan.
The 28-year-old converted captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s hanging far-post cross with a header of stunning accuracy, and that after shrugging aside three touch-tight Zenit defenders.
Chelsea laboured past a resolute and regimented Zenit, for much of the match running the risk of limping to a dispiriting draw.
But then Lukaku rose up, highest of all, to nod home and turn the night entirely. Relive all the action below:
Penalty shout for United!
Young Boys 0 - 1 Man Utd
54 mins: Varane heads another ball out of the box and it’s wonderfully controlled by Pogba in midfield before he squirts it away to Fred. Fred gives it to Fernandes who plays a first time ball over the top up to Ronaldo. The bouncse does for centre-back Camara and Ronaldo is able to sprint into the box. Camara catches up with him, there’s a little shove in the back and Ronaldo goes down. He wants a penalty but the decision goes Young Boys’ way.
Young Boys 0 - 1 Man Utd
51 mins: Dalot concedes a corner but Varane heads it clear from the middle of the box. United look a lot more solid within this new shape with three at the back.
Young Boys 0 - 1 Man Utd
48 mins: It’s been a positive start from Man Utd to this second half. They look confident on the ball despite having one man less. Martins arrives late lunging into a tackle on Fernandes and he goes in the book as well.
Young Boys 0 - 1 Man Utd
Second half: Raphael Varane has come on for Manchester United replacing Donny van de Beek. That change means United will move into a back three with Shaw and Dalot acting as wingbacks.
Young Boys also make a change as Jordan Siebatcheu replaces Christian Sierro.
Sevilla vs RB Salzburg
In the other Champions League early kick off Sevilla are drawing 1-1 with RB Salzburg.
What’s remarkable about this game though is that there’s been four penalties in the first half. Both teams have scored one with Salzburg missing another two!
United down to 10-men
Aaron Wan Bissaka is the first Manchester United player to be shown a straight red card in a Champions League match since Nani against Real Madrid in March 2013.
Ronaldo scores again
It’s that time again.
In 68 Champions League appearances since turning 30, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 63 goals - 35 more than any other player has scored aged 30 or older in Champions League history.
He’s also got three goals in two games since returning to Manchester United.
Half-time: Young Boys 0 - 1 Man Utd
45+1 mins: Fassnacht is shown a yellow card for a tackle on Fred. De Gea boots it long and the whistle goes for half-time. The Red Devils have the lead but they’re down to 10-men after Aaron Wan Bissaka was sent off.
Lots to think about for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Young Boys 0 - 1 Man Utd
45 mins: Garcia swings another decent cross into the box for Young Boys but Harry Maguire is first to the ball. He knocks it down and Van de Beek completes the clearance.
One added minute to play.
Young Boys 0 - 1 Man Utd
42 mins: Young Boys need to develop a bit of patience. They’ve got a man advantage and can take longer on the ball to work it into the box. Sierro receives the ball about 25-yards out and shoots immediately drawing De Gea into a low save to his right. It’s comfortably work for the Man Utd goalkeeper.
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