Late Willian strike gives Chelsea victory

Chelsea 2 Dynamo Kiev 1

Willian’s 83rd-minute free-kick gave Chelsea a vital Champions League victory.

Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic, whose first-half own goal put the Blues ahead, atoned by equalising for the Ukrainian side.

But Willian responded five minutes later, easing the pressure on boss Jose Mourinho by clinching only Chelsea’s second win in nine matches.

The outstanding Willian was also involved in the opening goal. Dragovic attempted to clear the Brazilian’s right-wing cross with a diving header but succeeded only in diverting the ball into the net.

Chelsea had been well on top up to that point.

Oscar’s first-time shot from Cesar Azpilicueta’s low cross was saved, and as the hosts kept up the pressure Dynamo Kiev defender Domagoj Vida needed a last-ditch challenge to deny the recalled Cesc Fabregas a close-range header.

The breakthrough eventually arrived and prompted Chelsea fans to loudly chant Mourinho’s name in defiant support of the manager.

And the home crowd wanted a penalty when Diego Costa went down in the area shortly before the interval, but referee Pavel Kralovec was unimpressed.

Mourinho’s side had to endure some anxious moments in the early stages of the second half as Dynamo upped their game and both teams created openings.

Artem Kravets was put through on goal and looked certain to score before Kurt Zouma came to Chelsea’s rescure with a superb tackle to win the ball.

And Dynamo themselves appealed in vain for a penalty when Derliz Gonzalez’s shot struck Ramires.

At the other end, Zouma missed a great chance by firing wide, and Willian had a header saved by keeper Olexander Shovkovskiy, who also produced a fine stop to deny Oscar.

With Chelsea looking increasingly nervous, the visitors equalised when keeper Asmir Begovic came to clear a corner but Matic met it first and the Serbian’s unconvincing header fell to Dragovic, who smashed home.

Mourinho, who left Eden Hazard out of the starting line-up, responded to the goal by sending him on along with the fit-again Pedro.

But it was Willian who delivered, restoring the lead with a glorious strike from near the left-hand edge of the penalty area.