MATCHDAY LIVE - UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H: CHELSEA VS MALMO

Join Toby Farmer for live updates as Chelsea seek to bounce back from their loss last time out with victory over Swedish champions Malmo.

CHELSEA 4-0 MALMO (FULL TIME)
Christensen 9'
Jorginho (pen) 21', (pen) 57'
Havertz 48'

Words: Toby Farmer

Until next time...

Tougher tests will come for Chelsea, but it's been a routine night for them in another enthralling round of Champions League fixtures.

Bring on Matchday Four!

Goodbye for now!

Elsewhere in Europe...

Ronaldo completed a fine comeback for the Red Devils, who beat Atalanta 3-2. Meanwhile, Juventus beat Zenit to maintain their place at the top of Group H.

Nevertheless, Chelsea should easily progress into the Last-16.

Straightforward. Solid. Superb.

Chelsea scored four, but it could've been more. Malmo struggled from the first minute, and the hosts made life very difficult for them with their intesnity.

But they were also clinical in front of goal. A string of fine performances from Kai Havertz and Mason Mount will encourage Thomas Tuchel. But injuries to Lukaku and Werner may worry him.

My MOTM: Mason Mount. He looked sharp all evening, and probably deserved a goal for his efforts. It was a much needed performance from him after missing out for Chelsea over the last few weeks.

FULL TIME: CHELSEA 4-0 MALMO

Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrate Chelsea's third of the evening.

Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrate Chelsea's third of the evening.

90+1' CHANCE!

A wonderful passage of passing sees Havertz played in on goal. He can't quite get there before Diawara, and the German international clatters the goalkeeper.

Diawara remains down for a little while. Concussion checks are going on but he seems ok. One last corner for Chelsea... It's headed over by Saul.

TWO ADDED MINUTES.

Two too many for Malmo.

87' Rudiger clearly wants a goal tonight.

He steps up to take a free-kick about 30 yards out. It's blazed over high and wide for a goal kick.

85' Chelsea are playing with some crisp passing, as Malmo look very weary. The home side are doing a professional job tonight of seeing the game out.

The only thing riding on this is my prediction... (Which currently stands correct at 4-0!)

As we near the end of the game, let me know who your MOTM is!

Get tweeting in @BoarSport

I've just heard some celebrations from my local pub next door, just as Cristiano Ronaldo puts Man Utd 3-2 up against Atalanta.

81' Former Ajax and Werder Bremen defender Niklas Moisander is readying on the touchline.

80' Glenn Hoddle remarks that 'if this game were a boxing match, they'd have to stop it'.

I'm sure Malmo wouldn't mind that. They look like they've had the stuffing knocked out of them.

Meanwhile in Manchester...

75' CLOSE!

Chelsea are really strutting their stuff. Mount combines with James, who slips a chipped ball into Jorginho. The Italian midfielder lashes a cross towards the backpost, where Hudson-Odoi keeps the ball alive, hitting it back towards Havertz, who ultimately fouls goalkeeper Diawara.

73' Inventive play from Chelsea on the right wing. Substitute Reece James combines well with Havertz before forcing a corner.

I don't speak Swedish, but I can sense the disappointment in this tweet.

69' Chelsea unsuprisingly holding the lion's share of possession. 69% to be exact. I wonder if they have the weekend's game against Norwich in mind.

I realise I left you all wondering what Malmo did with their second corner of the game...

Erik Larsson smashed it about as high and wide as you can get.

62' It's cleared away... for another corner!

The away fans are celebrating that one.

Saul Niguez looks like he's about to come on for Ngolo Kante. There's a change at left-wing back as Alonso is on for Chilwell, who can chill well for the rest of the night after another impressive display.

61' Hudson-Odoi with a half-chance for the hosts. He cuts in from the left onto his right foot, before lashing a ball across goal. Diawara punches it away.

What's this? Malmo have a corner!

Never in doubt. Look at that rain!

Never in doubt. Look at that rain!

A couple of replacements for Malmo as Rakip and Nalic are on for Pena and Christiansen. It could get ugly for them here...

...Another goal & another cool penalty!

GOAL! CHELSEA 4-0 Malmo

Jorginho 57'

54' This is great work from Rudiger. He presses Malmo in unrelenting effort, before stealing the ball off them in a dangerous position. Havertz plays him in in front of the goal and he's sent tumbling by Eric Larsson as he goes to strike the ball. Another chance for Jorginho...

54' PEANLTY TO CHELSEA... AGAIN!

52' Kante speeds away from Malmo captain Christiansen, who brings down the frenchman to give Chelsea a great position form a free-kick. Mount takes it, but he hits the wall.

48' Kai Havertz does really well to score his second goal of the season. There's a lot of space for him on the left. Hudson-Odoi accelerates at the Malmo defence before feeding in Havertz. He bears down on goal before chipping ball above the oncoming Diawara.

Not the introduction the new goalkeeper was hoping for. 3-0.

GOAL! CHELSEA 3-0 Malmo

Kai Havertz 48'

A couple of substitutions for Malmo, including the goalkeeper.

SECOND HALF KICKS OFF

The players are back out...

The rain keeps coming. Without a recongised No.9, can Chelsea add to their first half advantage?

HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 MALMO

A straightforward first half for the home side. Malmo are struggling to stay in the game. Can we expect more goals in the second-half?

I'll be back in 15.

Jorginho celebrates Chelsea's second goal of the evening.

Jorginho celebrates Chelsea's second goal of the evening.

45+2' The first half is peetering out, but Chelsea are in full control.

Brentford defenders Pontus Jansson and Kristoffer Ajer have been spotted in the crowd tonight. How Malmo would've liked them on loan at centre back for the first half.

Three minutes added on...

43' It's really pouring down now in West London. Both in terms of chances and the weather.

41' More pain for Chelsea's frontline. It looks like Timo Werner tweaked his hamstring on that last Chelsea attack. Hudson-Odoi is getting ready to replace him.

40' CHANCE!

Kante does exceptionally well by driving at the heart of Malmo. Havertz shows good movement and nearly some good finishing. He receives the ball on his right foot, but his deflected strike goes out for a corner.

The only down side so far tonight for Chelsea is that Lukaku limped off with an ankle problem. Other than that, they're in complete control.

35' Chelsea seeing lots of the ball on the right wing, meaning BT Sport's Ian Darke is getting the chance to really show off his pronunciation of 'Azpilicueta'.

33' Chelsea moving the ball very quickly. Often against teams with a low-block, that's not always the case.

32' Werner feeds Havertz with a beautiful pass. He's through on goal but flagged for offside.

Oh dear...

30' There is so much space for Chelsea in front of Malmo's wing-backs. The out-ball is an option every time. Another cross comes in for Chilwell who acrobatically volleys it over.

28' 3-0 is looking ever more likely. Malmo are struggling to keep up with Chelsea's intensity.

Another attack gives Chelsea a corner after more good work from Mount on the right.

25' Malmo sitting a little deeper now. Chelsea with a bit more possession.

Meanwhile... more pressure for Ole. Man United trail at home to Atalanta.

21' No hop, skip, and jump this time from Jorginho. He places it very nicely past Dahlin into the net.

Lukaku is actually a little injured from that challenge for the penalty. Havertz replaces him.

21' Jorginho to score!

CHELSEA 2-0 MALMO

Jorginho to take...

18' PENALTY TO CHELSEA!

This time it is a penalty. And it looks like trouble for Lukaku. Lass Nielsen is booked as he brings Chelsea's No.9 down after being twisted inside out. It's clear as day. Malmo look out of it already.

Lukaku looks ok now after some treatment.

17' Malmo venture up the pitch for the first time. They are immediately snuffed out before Chelsea spring a counter-attack.

15' Penalty?

The home crowd complain as Jorginho wriggles free, before seemingly fouled in the penalty area. The 32-year old French referee Letexier says 'non'.

15' Mount fizzes a vicious cross into the box. Lukaku was the only blue shirt in there. A bright start from Mason Mount.

13' Chelsea have a free-kick in a promising position. Chilwell and Mount stand over it. The latter takes... and he skies it.

An unlikely assist from Thiago Silva

An unlikely assist from Thiago Silva

09' Centre-back to centre-back playing as if it were playmaker to goal-poacher.

Chelsea win a corner and its cleared to Thiago Silva, who whips in a fine cross to Andreas Christensen, who hits volley down into the ground and past Dahlin.

1-0 and very well deserved.

GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 Malmo

Andreas Christensen 09'

07' CHANCE! PINBALL!

Werner drives forward. He plays it to Mount, who crosses it towards Chilwell. It's cleared and falls to Lukaku, who's deflected strike is parried away.

Kante drives forward in the opening stages

Kante drives forward in the opening stages

04' CHANCE!

Lukaku receives the ball on the right. He fires it across to Werner. Surely an easy tap in...

But the forward can only tamely put it behind for a goal kick. He is given offside, but I'm not sure he was.

03' Rudiger lets Pena know he's there 'early doors'. The Malmo midfielder wasn't too happy.

02' Tomasson looking for his side to press Chelsea from the bench. The Blues go direct as Mount and Werner run in behind. A cross comes in for Chilwell, who can't quite direct his header towards goal.

01' Stamford Bridge is in good voice. Malmo press high and Chelsea flurry forward.

KICK OFF - We're under way

Nearly there...

The players are walking out.

Great minds think alike, Joe Cole is also predicting 4-0 to Chelsea.

Kick off in 10.

Chelsea's no. 19 warms up at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea's no. 19 warms up at Stamford Bridge

Tuchel's interview suggests he's prioritising 'stopping counter-attacks', which should consequentially sustain Chelsea's own attacks.

Additionally, Mason Mount might have a big part to play with his late runs into the box.

20 mins to go...

I'm going 4-0 Chelsea. Werner brace, Mount stunner, and a guilty-looking own-goal from Innocent.

It also looks like Tuchel is continuing to employ a 3-5-2 system, as opposed to 3-4-3, which he has used rather successfully last season.

It seems a little more defensive, which for tonight's game, may frustrate a few Chelsea fans.

Would you like to have seen a more attacking line-up from the home side?

Reaction to Team News

I'm a little surprised Tuchel didn't pick more of Chelsea's fringe players. Someone like Hudson-Odoi might've expected to start tonight against weaker opposition.

Let me know your thoughts on Twitter at @BoarSport

So just under an hour until kick off...

Here are tonight's lineups in full:

CHELSEA: Mendy; Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Jorginho, Mount, Chilwell; Lukaku, Werner.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Bettinelli, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, James, Havertz

MALMO: Dahlin; Larsson, Nielsen, Brorsson; Berget, Pena, Innocent, Christiansen, Olsson, Colak, Birmancevic

Subs: Ellborg, Moisander, Rakip, Abubakari, Gwargis, Nalic, Eile, Diarra Diawara, Bjorkvist, Lindman

Here's how the home side line up tonight:

And here's your Malmo Starting XI:

Team news at 19:00 BST

Tonight should be fairly straightforward for Chelsea. However, things rarely are in the Champions League.

More joy against British clubs?

Malmo recently beat Rangers 4-2 on aggregate in the Third Qualifying Round for this competition, sending the Scottish Champions down to the Europa League play-offs.

However, the Swedish outfit's last win in the group stages of the Champions League came in 2015, where they beat Shaktar Donestk 1-0.

They have also played against Chelsea as recently as the 2018-19 season, losing 3-2 on aggregate in the Round of 32 in the Europa League. 

A familiar face in the dugout

You may know Liverpool's famous 3-3 comeback in Istanbul back in 2005, where they beat AC Milan 3-2 on penalties. However, what you may not know is that one of Milan's two successful penalty takers that evening is the manager of Malmo FF.

No, it's not Kaka… But Jon Dahl Tomasson!

Apart from his brief spell for Newcastle in the 1997-98 season, his career highlights include winning the UEFA Champions League in 2003 with AC Milan. He also has a measly 112 caps for his country and remains joint top goal scorer for the national side with 52 goals.

He has been manager of Malmo since January 2020, helping the club win the Allsvenskan in his first season in charge.

Chelsea's opponents tonight…

Malmo are the most successful team in Sweden, with 21 league titles and 14 national cups, winning the Allsvenskan five times in the past seven years.

They also have a rich history in Europe, making the European cup final in the 1978-79 season. They ended up losing 1-0 to Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest, who would go on to win a second consecutive European title in 1980.

Nevertheless, Malmo are the only Nordic club to feature in a European cup final.

Matchday Three so far...

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool certainly wasn't lacking in drama last night, with Griezmann scoring two goals before getting sent off for a high foot on Firmino. Salah grabbed a brace while Keita scored yet another stunning volley for the visitors, who were deemed by the home fans to be fortunate for benefitting off two penalty decisions.

Elsewhere, Man City made light work of Club Brugges. They put five past the Belgian outfit, with teenager Cole Palmer registering his first UCL goal.

Ajax thumped Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in Amsterdam, while Messi's panenka sealed a thrilling win for Paris Saint-Germain over RB Leipzig.

Let's hope for plenty more goals this evening.

The Lay of the Land

Group H currently sees Juventus sitting top of the table with six points after two games, with Chelsea and Zenit level on three points each.

Malmo are without a point or a goal in their opening Champions League group fixtures.

Early Team news

Christian Pulisic is Chelsea's only absentee this evening, who is nearing a return from an ankle injury sustained in September.
The Blues will have centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva available again after they both missed Chelsea's 1-0 win away at Brentford.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Malmo.

Unfortunately, they will have to make do without centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic, who received a red-card against Zenit in Matchday Two.

Fortunately for me, I won't have to spell his surname too many times tonight.

Welcome Back…

After another pulsating night in the Champions League, I'm glad to say we have plenty more excitement to come this evening.

It truly is the Champions League tonight, as Chelsea and Malmo meet in Matchday Three, with both sides sitting top of their respective domestic leagues.

A straightforward home win? A score-draw? A memorable upset?

Let me know your thoughts and predictions by tweeting me through @BoarSport

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