Late goals clinch dramatic Chelsea victory

Chelsea 4 Reading 2

Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic netted late goals for Chelsea as they came from behind after a first-half blunder by Petr Cech.

Following Gary Cahill’s fortuitous equaliser, the European champions kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Torres – who was in an offside position – tapped in Ashley Cole’s low cross with 10 minutes remaining.

Ivanovic sealed the victory right at the end. Chelsea countered after Reading keeper Adam Federici had gone forward for a corner, with Eden Hazard sprinting down the right and teeing up the Serbian to slot into an empty net.

Frank Lampard had put Chelsea ahead with a 17th-minute penalty after Hazard was brought down by Chris Gunter.

But former Fulham man Pavel Pogrebnyak levelled with a brilliant header into the far corner from Garath McLeary’s right-wing cross.

And Reading then went ahead when Danny Guthrie’s tamely-struck free-kick, which was hit straight at Cech, ended up in the net after being woefully fumbled by the Chelsea keeper.

Another goalkeeping mistake, this time by Federici, helped Chelsea draw level midway through the second half.

It was not an error on the scale of Cech’s, but the Australian badly misjudged Cahill’s 30-yard shot, parrying it into the net after seemingly being caught out by the flight of the ball.

The move which led to the next goal was well worked, with Juan Mata linking nicely with Torres and then finding Cole, whose ball to the far post left Torres with an easy finish.

And Ivanovic’s second goal of the season capped a determined comeback by Roberto Di Matteo’s side, who lost their way after a commanding start.

Their opener was richly deserved as they had dominated the early stages, with Hazard dragging a shot wide after being put through by Mata, and Ramires having an effort saved after racing on to Ivanovic’s pass.

Reading initially continued to look vulnerable after going behind – not least when Torres nutmegged Gunter and skipped away from Kaspars Gorkss before being stopped by Alex Pearce’s last-ditch challenge.

However. two goals in the space of five minutes left Stamford Bridge stunned – and Chelsea with work to do in the second half.

Di Matteo brought Oscar on for Ramires on 57 minutes and Daniel Sturridge for John Obi Mikel 10 minutes later in an attempt to give his side some much-needed impetus.

But the all-important equaliser was from an unlikely source in Cahill and it came as Chelsea were growing increasingly frustrated.

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