Romelu Lukaku proves the difference again for Chelsea with his fourth goal in four matches as Blues begin their Champions League defence with a narrow win against stubborn Zenit St Petersburg
- Chelsea just about edged the first half but there were no clear chances for either side before the break
- Romelu Lukaku broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when he met Cesar Azpilicueta's cross at the back post
- The visitors came inches from equalising but Artem Dzyuba was unable to turn a low cross on target
Last season, when they won the Champions League, Chelsea were deemed to have the best overall player in the competition, the best midfielder, the best goalkeeper and the best coach.
This season, as they set out to defend the title, they have Romelu Lukaku. And quite an acquisition he is proving to be. Just four games into the second coming and Lukaku has silenced any doubters and he is stealing the show.
One goal against Arsenal, his first for the club, two against Aston Villa, his first at Stamford Bridge, and then this, his first in Europe for the Blues, the only goal on an arduous night when Thomas Tuchel's team toiled against Zenit St Petersburg.
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Little over 20 minutes remained when Cesar Azpilicueta shaped in a splendid cross and Lukaku assessed the flight of the ball, adjusted his feet, sprang high above his marker and aimed his header down powerfully, inside the post.
'An excellent header,' agreed Tuchel. 'That's why he's here. He likes to score and he was again decisive for us, which is great.
'We did not create many chances for him but he is a guy who brings confidence and belief, and takes pressure from the shoulders of others around him.
'You do not find many strikers of this quality. Goals change the whole momentum of the match.'
The guarantee you might expect for £97.5million, perhaps. One chance, one goal, a lethal strike, the killer touch to turn one point into three just as the celebratory air at Stamford Bridge was fizzling into an anxious hush.
With Juventus in Turin next, it was important for Chelsea to take maximum points in their opener and such a positive outcome seemed unlikely at times in the first half.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin appeared on the pitch before kick-off to hand out prizes to Jorginho (best player), N'Golo Kante (best midfielder), Edouard Mendy (best 'keeper) and Tuchel (best coach).
But Chelsea made a sluggish start as the Russian champions flexed their usual formation to mirror Tuchel's back-three, with holding midfielder Wilmar Barrios deployed as one of three central defenders.
They snapped into tackles and broke quickly on the turnover with Brazilians Claudinho and Malcom trying to spring forward in support of lone striker Sardar Azmoun from their positions out wide.
But for all their promise they were able to create very little and Chelsea assumed control in midfield as half time approached and, after the interval, moved the ball around at a brisker tempo, and the visitors retreated.
Tuchel cut an agitated figure on the touchline, spinning on his heel in frustration and trading thoughts with his coaching staff, just as he had done for long parts of the win against Aston Villa on Saturday.
But he insisted he was content with his team's display, saying: 'We had to work really hard but I felt a huge intensity from us against a very strong opponent with very good players.
'It was tough for us in the first half to find a way of accelerating the game and be dangerous and create touches in the box. We had to be very focused and aware because they have a lot of individual quality up front. We did all that.
'With time it got a bit easier, we played better and it was hard for them to constantly defend spaces. It was a deserved win.'
Antonio Rudiger stirred the atmosphere, soon after the interval, with a careering run from deep inside his own half, slicing through the centre of the pitch, cutting past two Zenit defenders onto going for goal.
Rudiger caught it sweetly and his fierce strike flashed narrowly wide and slammed into the advertising boards but supporters were brought to their feet, roaring their team on.
'Sometimes you need stuff like this,' said Tuchel. 'It was not too crazy but suddenly the gap opened and he tried to finish it himself.'
Moments later, Rudiger swooped at the other end to stop the threat of Azmoun on the break and celebrated his successful challenge with an index finger raised into the air. Again the home crowd rose in response.
Tuchel made his first change soon after the hour. On went Kai Havertz, goal hero on that night in Porto, and Zenit sank ever deeper, until the resistance was broken from Azpilicueta's cross. 'A beautiful ball,' said Lukaku. 'I just had to get my timing right.'
There was a late scare for Chelsea when substitute Artem Dzyuba almost converted a low cross at the back post and crashed into 'keeper Mendy.
But the champions escaped. They start their defence with a win. Lukaku goes from strength to strength.
Scroll down to see how the evening's Champions League action unfolded...
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Spencer Morgan Host commentator
Kiev nick it at the feath.
Lukaku almost scores in the final play of the game as Chelsea break but he's denied by a fine last ditch challenge.
92 mins: Mount is replaced by Loftus-Ceek.
90 mins: four minutes of added time.
Another for Lewandowski!
It's another rebound as Gnabry's shot comes back off the post.
This one's over.
Gosens draws his side level.
82 mins: Two changes for the hosts as Silva and Chilwell replace Azpilicueta and Alonso.
80 mins: The visitors should score!
They break and Sardar Azmoun rolls the ball across the six-yard box for Artem Dzyuba - who turns it just wide on the stretch. Inches.
79 mins: Almost something special from Marcos Alonso as he shows great feet to trick a couple of defenders on the edge of the area before dragging his shot just wide.
Close.
75 mins: wo changes for the visitors.
They've turned it around. Danjuma with the goal.
That man again!
Chelsea shift the ball out to Azpilicueta on the right and he looks up and curls a cross to Lukaku at the back post.
The striker climbs above two defenders to guide it in from close range.
68 mins: Wendel tries to bend one from just inside the area but it doesn't trouble Mendy.
66 mins: Zenit under big pressure now. Some last ditch stuff required at the back.
63 mins: Havertz replaces Ziyech.
60 mins: Vital challenge from Rudiger as Zenit break and Azmoun almost runs clean through on goal. The Chelsea man just manages to get a foot in to clear the danger.
Lewandowski doubles the lead, poking the ball home after Musial's strike came back off the post.
A deserved two=-goal lead for the visitors who have been the better side.
56 mins: Close!
A ball reaches James on the right hand side of the box and he drags his shot just wide of the near post.
Should have done better.
54 mins: Almost a chance for Chelsea as Ziyech recives the ball in the box but his touch is just too heavy to get a shot away. Chelsea looking much better since the break.
50 mins: That's lifted the crowd!
What a run from Rudiger as he beats three men on his way into the box before firing wide. What a goal it would have been.
48 mins: Ziyech with the first effort of the half, forcing a save from the edge of the area.
Chelsea 0-0 Zenit
Barcelona 0-1 Bayern
Lille 0-0 Wolfsburg
Villarreal 1-1 Atalanta
Malmo 0-3 Juventus
Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Benfica
Muller's deflected strike is the difference.
Morata makes it three just before half-time.
Azpilicueta picks up a booking in the final action of the half.
Dybala doubles the lead from the spot.
44 mins: Lukakku does get his head to a cross from the right but can't keep it down.
43 mins: The Zenit goalkeeper flaps at a corner but it flies harmlessly wide of the far post anyway.
Manu Trigueros levels the scores.
39 mins: Rakitsky with the first shot on target of the game but it's a comfortable save.
36 mins: The Blues are asking a few more questions but Zenit are really defending well as a unit. Very little space to work with.
Muller gives Bayern the lead!
His strike from 20 yards takes a massive ricochet off Garcia to find the net.
33 mins: James does well to make space for himself on the right but he can't beat the first man with his low cross.
29 mins: This has been an underwhelming half from Chelsea so far. Zanit certainly frustrating them.
Alex Sandro breaks the deadlock in Sweden.
21 mins: A roar from the crowd as Lukaku drives into the box but the ball is stolen from him at the crucial moment.
The crowd come alive whenever the ball comes near him.
Ter Stegen keeps the scores level with a great reaction stop from Sane's deflected strike.
17 mins: Zenit starting to get a foothold in this game. Kuzyaev tries one from distance but it's high and wide.
13 mins: Crucial defending from James as a ball reaches Claudinho at the back post. The forward can't sort his feet out in time and the Chelsea man clears the danger.
A tight start at the Nou Camp. Bayern with the only shot of the game so far
10 mins: 75% possession for the home side but no attempts yet from either side.
8 mins: Zenit have barely had a touch of the ball yet. This could be a long night for their defence.
Remo Freuler gives the Italian side an early lead in Spain.
6 mins: Azpilicueta tries to find Lukaku in the box but just gets too much on the ball. Chelsea taking early control.
3 mins: Zenit really pressing Chelsea from the start here but the Blues still look calm in possession.
We're underway.
Chelsea vs Zenit
Barcelona vs Bayern
Lille vs Wolfsburg
Villarreal vs Atalanta
Malmo vs Juventus
Dynamo Kiev vs Benfica
And welcome to Sportsmail's live coverage of Tuesday night's Champions League action.
Our main focus will be on Chelsea vs Zenit but we'll also have updates from the big game between Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as the rest of the other matches.
Team news to follow shortly with the games kicking off at 8pm.
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