Chelsea earned their first victory in this season's Champions League group stages by beating FC Nordsjaelland.

The champions went ahead when Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard combined to set up Juan Mata to slot home.

Danish side Nordsjaelland rattled the Blues, with Joshua John sending a shot just wide and striking a post.

But David Luiz scored with a free-kick, Mata added his second with a left-foot shot and Ramires tapped in to give the scoreline a flattering look.

Chelsea had shown commendable resilience but had also had lived dangerously, with their failure to add to their early lead encouraging their largely unknown and unfancied opponents, who were playing first ever game on home soil in the Champions League.

Chelsea in focus

  • Chelsea failed to win away in the group stages of last season's Champions League
  • The last time Chelsea won a Champions League away match by at least a 4-goal margin was on 28 November 2007 at Rosenborg
  • David Luiz became the first Chelsea player to score from a direct free kick in the Champions League since Alex on 14 April 2009 in a 4-4 draw with Liverpool

Nordsjaelland went close to an equaliser on several occasions as the visitors almost buckled, but Luiz's free-kick after 79 minutes proved key to restoring Chelsea's hold on the game and sparked three late goals in 10 minutes.

Chelsea moved top of Group E with the win, while Nordsjaelland might feel aggrieved with the size of their defeat considering the qualify of their performance after a shaky start.

The home side gave the ball away to Chelsea from an early throw-in, allowing Victor Moses, making his Champions League debut for the London club, to backheel a pass to Oscar, whose shot across goal went narrowly wide.

Almost immediately, Oscar crossed for Moses at the far post, but, just as the winger appeared set to head home, Nordsjaelland centre-back Jores Okore flung himself across to force the effort against the post.

Okore had to have treatment after the clash, but, sporting a bandage around his head, was an inspirational presence for his side with his all-action style.

Nordsjaelland gradually shook off the nerves and began to play a style of passing football that meant the visitors had to be wary.

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole gave the ball away to Dutch striker John, who has eight goals in seven league appearances so far this season, but he sent an ambitious long-range shot well off target.

The home side's weakness was an uncertain defence and, after Torres had a shot saved having picked up Ivan Runje's miscued headed clearance, Chelsea deservedly took the lead through Mata.

Torres caught Enoch Adu in possession and laid the ball across to Lampard, whose deft first-time pass between two defenders was met with a confident finish by Mata past keeper Jesper Hansen.

An alert Hansen then denied Torres but Chelsea failed to extend their lead and were almost punished.

John arrowed a shot just the wrong side of the post before Mikkel Beckmann latched on to Okore's lofted pass, only to send a 10-yard header high.

A 20-yard strike from Nicolai Stokholm stung the palms of Petr Cech, who also pushed another John effort against the post.

However, a dipping free-kick from Luiz went in off the post and signalled a late flurry of Chelsea goals.

Some clever passing from the visitors ended with Mata sidefooting in before Oscar crossed for Ramires to tap in after 89 minutes.

Chelsea are now top of Group E with four points and face second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine on 23 October.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

FC Nordsjaelland

  • 01 Hansen
  • 02 Okore
  • 08 Mtiliga
  • 18 Parkhurst
  • 21 Runje Booked
  • 06 Adu
  • 07 Stokholm
  • 10 Beckmann (Christensen - 75' )
  • 20 Lorentzen (Laudrup - 84' )
  • 11 Nordstrand (Ticinovic - 65' )
  • 15 John

Substitutes

  • 16 Villadsen
  • 05 Christiansen
  • 17 Christensen
  • 19 Gundelach
  • 22 Laudrup
  • 30 Petry Andersen
  • 23 Ticinovic

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 03 Cole
  • 04 David Luiz
  • 24 Cahill
  • 07 Ramires
  • 08 Lampard
  • 10 Mata (Mikel - 83' )
  • 11 Oscar
  • 13 Moses (Hazard - 65' )
  • 09 Torres

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 26 Terry
  • 28 Azpilicueta
  • 34 Bertrand
  • 06 Romeu
  • 12 Mikel
  • 17 Hazard
Ref: Strahonja
Att: 42,000

Match Stats

Shots

12 11

On target

7 7

Corners

2 3

Fouls

9 10

Live Text Commentary

93:11 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +1:14

Foul by Jores Okore on Fernando Torres, free kick awarded. Emboaba Oscar takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:18

Fernando Torres is ruled offside. Ivan Runje takes the direct free kick.

88:53

Assist on the goal came from Emboaba Oscar.

88:53 Goal scored

Goal - Nascimento Ramires - Nordsj'and 0 - 4 Chelsea Nascimento Ramires finds the back of the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. FC Nordsjaelland 0-4 Chelsea.

86:59

Nicolai Stokholm gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Branislav Ivanovic. Free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.

84:45

Effort from just outside the area by Frank Lampard goes over the bar.

83:58 Substitution

Substitution (FC Nordsjaelland) makes a substitution, with Andreas Laudrup coming on for Kasper Lorentzen.

82:48 Substitution

Substitution Juan Mata goes off and Mikel comes on.

81:32 Goal scored

Goal - Juan Mata - Nordsj'and 0 - 3 Chelsea Juan Mata finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. FC Nordsjaelland 0-3 Chelsea.

78:58 Goal scored

Goal - David Luiz - Nordsj'and 0 - 2 Chelsea David Luiz grabs a fantastic goal direct from the free kick from outside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. FC Nordsjaelland 0-2 Chelsea.

78:19

Michael Parkhurst gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres.

76:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ivan Runje on Nascimento Ramires. Juan Mata shoots direct from the free kick.

76:39 Booking

Booking Ivan Runje is shown a yellow card.

74:47 Substitution

Substitution Soren Christensen replaces Mikkel Beckmann.

72:39

Shot by Joshua John. Brilliant save by Petr Cech. Mikkel Beckmann has a drilled shot. Clearance by Ashley Cole.

72:00

Foul by Eden Hazard on Jores Okore, free kick awarded. Jores Okore restarts play with the free kick.

70:00

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicolai Stokholm by Emboaba Oscar. Direct free kick taken by Nicolai Stokholm.

69:12

A cross is delivered by Patrick Mtiliga, Gary Cahill makes a clearance.

69:01

The referee blows for offside against Fernando Torres. Indirect free kick taken by Nicolai Stokholm.

68:39

The referee blows for offside against Mario Ticinovic. Petr Cech takes the indirect free kick.

68:13

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joshua John by Emboaba Oscar. Ivan Runje takes the direct free kick.

64:30 Substitution

Substitution Eden Hazard replaces Victor Moses.

64:30 Substitution

Substitution Mario Ticinovic joins the action as a substitute, replacing Morten Nordstrand.

63:51

Mikkel Beckmann produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.

63:27

The ball is delivered by Victor Moses, Jesper Hansen makes a comfortable save.

62:03

Morten Nordstrand challenges Juan Mata unfairly and gives away a free kick. Juan Mata restarts play with the free kick.

61:23

Nicolai Stokholm takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Petr Cech.

61:08

Joshua John sends in a cross, David Luiz makes a clearance.

58:57

Header from deep inside the penalty area by Mikkel Beckmann goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

56:34

Nicolai Stokholm takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.

55:37

Fernando Torres concedes a free kick for a foul on Jores Okore. Jesper Hansen takes the direct free kick.

55:00

Unfair challenge on Enoch Adu by Emboaba Oscar results in a free kick. Enoch Adu restarts play with the free kick.

54:25

Foul by Nicolai Stokholm on Frank Lampard, free kick awarded. Frank Lampard takes the free kick.

53:58

The assistant referee flags for offside against Juan Mata. Ivan Runje takes the indirect free kick.

52:48

Victor Moses concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Parkhurst. Indirect free kick taken by Jores Okore.

51:40

Shot from just outside the box by Joshua John misses to the left of the goal.

50:51

Nascimento Ramires gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mikkel Beckmann. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kasper Lorentzen, Ashley Cole manages to make a clearance.

43:45

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save made by Jesper Hansen. Frank Lampard takes a shot.

49:39

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata from the right by-line, clearance made by Jores Okore.

49:04

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard from the left by-line, fantastic save by Jesper Hansen.

48:18

Enoch Adu concedes a free kick for a foul on Fernando Torres. Direct free kick taken by Juan Mata.

46:02

Fernando Torres is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Jesper Hansen.

45:35

The referee blows for offside against Fernando Torres. Patrick Mtiliga restarts play with the free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +1:06 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

44:28

Fernando Torres is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Jesper Hansen.

43:45

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Jesper Hansen makes a save. Frank Lampard takes a shot from 20 yards.

39:58

Patrick Mtiliga takes a shot. Comfortable save by Petr Cech.

39:41

Joshua John produces a cross, David Luiz manages to make a clearance.

39:04

Mikkel Beckmann decides to take a short corner.

38:48

Kasper Lorentzen crosses the ball, clearance made by Gary Cahill.

32:39

Assist on the goal came from Frank Lampard.

32:39 Goal scored

Goal - Juan Mata - Nordsj'and 0 - 1 Chelsea Juan Mata gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the area low into the middle of the goal. FC Nordsjaelland 0-1 Chelsea.

32:06

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Morten Nordstrand by David Luiz. Direct free kick taken by Nicolai Stokholm.

29:27

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Patrick Mtiliga.

29:06

Effort from 20 yards by Enoch Adu. David Luiz gets a block in.

25:58

Free kick awarded for a foul by Juan Mata on Nicolai Stokholm. Nicolai Stokholm restarts play with the free kick.

22:58

Michael Parkhurst produces a cross, Effort from deep inside the area by Mikkel Beckmann misses to the right of the target.

21:38

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Jesper Hansen.

20:09

Joshua John crosses the ball, David Luiz makes a clearance.

18:41

The ball is swung over by Nicolai Stokholm.

16:16

Morten Nordstrand takes a shot. Gary Cahill gets a block in. Mikkel Beckmann decides to take a short corner.

14:39

Effort from outside the penalty box by Joshua John goes wide right of the target.

14:11

Joshua John delivers the ball, clearance made by David Luiz.

13:54

The ball is sent over by Michael Parkhurst, Ashley Cole manages to make a clearance.

12:04

Fernando Torres is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jores Okore restarts play with the free kick.

11:25

Joshua John delivers the ball, comfortable save by Petr Cech.

9:46

Frank Lampard takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

8:43

Handball decision goes against Victor Moses. Indirect free kick taken by Nicolai Stokholm.

7:00

Unfair challenge on Victor Moses by Mikkel Beckmann results in a free kick. David Luiz takes the direct free kick.

6:26

The assistant referee signals for offside against Joshua John. Branislav Ivanovic takes the indirect free kick.

5:08

Enoch Adu gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ashley Cole. Free kick crossed right-footed by Frank Lampard from left wing, Jesper Hansen makes a comfortable save.

3:13

Emboaba Oscar crosses the ball, Header from close range by Victor Moses strikes the post.

1:51

Emboaba Oscar crosses the ball.

0:35

Mikkel Beckmann fouled by Nascimento Ramires, the ref awards a free kick. Nicolai Stokholm takes the direct free kick.

0:00

The match begins.

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