Atletico 1 Chelsea 2: Michy Batshuayi strikes in the dying seconds as he and Alvaro Morata leave Diego Costa distraught after stunning comeback
MICHY BATSHUAYI scored in the dying seconds to secure a thrilling Champions League comeback for Chelsea and ruin the watching Diego Costa's night at Atletico Madrid.
Costa, who officially rejoined Atletico this week from the Premier League champions, was in the stands to watch his new and old employers lock horns – but he was left slumped and distraught by the Belgian’s late winner.
Chelsea will have felt unfortunate to have found themselves behind at the break after largely dominating against the Spanish side.
Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata, the latter returning to the capital for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in the summer, twice went close.
But when the opener did arrive it was an absolute gift from Blues defender David Luiz.
The Brazilian had been excellent for most of the half but a moment of madness cost his side dear in the dying moments.
He locked arms with an opposition attacker, and even though a similar challenge earlier had gone unpunished, this time the referee pointed to the spot.
And Antoine Griezmann kept his cool to slot confidently right down the middle.
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However, Chelsea refused to roll over and it was not long until they found a way back – and boy did Morata enjoy silencing his haters.
Hazard bent in a cross on the hour mark from the left and the ex-Real Madrid star met it with his head and flicked home to level.
After being hammered all evening by the Atletico supporters he milked his celebration too as he sprinted down the sidelines to embrace his boss Antonio Conte.
It could have got even better for Chelsea just seconds later when the ball fell to Cesc Fabregas just a few yards out – but the midfielder could only direct his close-range effort agonisingly wide.
And Morata came close to stealing the points late on after breaking away from Lucas Hernandez to go clean through. But goalkeeper Jan Oblak came racing out to meet him and the forward poked his effort wide off the post too.
But with the very last kick of the game, substitute Batshuayi grabbed the headlines and the points as he slammed home Marcos Alonso’s cross to seal a first-ever win for an English club at Atletico.
What they said
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte blasted Premier League bosses for having so little time to prepare for the game against Man City on Saturday.
He said: "I think we are a bit penalised. To have only one day to prepare for this type of game is not right.
"Honestly I'm very surprised to see that this big game we have to play on Saturday, not on Sunday. I don't understand why."
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said: "The opponent was the better team, they were the more comfortable team in all moments and deserved to win."
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