Latest: Chelsea 1 Schalke 1 – Blues rattled by Huntelaar equaliser

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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted a 62nd-minute equaliser for Schalke at Stamford Bridge.

Cesc Fabregas’ first goal for Chelsea had given them a flying start in their opening Champions League game.

Fabregas struck in the 11th minute when he found Eden Hazard on the left and then collected the Belgian’s pass before steering his shot beyond keeper Ralf Fährmann.

Schalke were unhappy because Fabregas appeared to foul Max Meyer before scoring, but the tables were turned in the second half because Chelsea felt the Spaniard was fouled in the build-up to Huntelaar’s leveller.

After Fabregas was bundled off the ball, Julian Draxler burst downfield and picked out skipper Huntelaar, who fired into the bottom corner.

It came against the run of play as Chelsea appeared to be in control.

They made a bright start and Ramires should have put them ahead but miscued after being found by Didier Drogba.

After the opener, Hazard’s low shot was blocked before Fabregas might have scored a second but blazed over following great work on the right by Branislav Ivanovic.

At the other end, Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois did well when he was finally called upon, palming away an effort from former Tottenham man Kevin-Prince Boateng.

And in the final minute of the first half, Draxler missed a great chance for the German side when he shot wide of the far post.

Drogba recovered from an ankle problem in time for the match and is making his first start since returning to the Bridge, while summer signing Filipe Luis was handed his full debut.

Drogba looked set to score with a tap-in early in the second half but the Ivorian failed to make contact with Willian’s excellent ball into the danger area.

And he missed another chance shortly before Schalke’s equaliser, dragging a shot wide after being put through by Hazard.

Oscar has been sent on in place of Ramires as Chelsea look to regain the lead.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Ramires (Oscar 67), Willian, Hazard; Drogba.
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Remy, Costa.

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