Chelsea against FC Nordsjælland

Cahill and Luiz are linking up on the right wing as Chelsea continue to look for their seventh goal. It is still a pointless exercise as Juventus continue to lead.

Oscar's cross from the right finds Cahill who knocks down into Torres' path but Hansen saves well from the contact Torres gets on the ball, which isn't much.

Hazard's cross finds Torres in the box, he juggles the box three or four times as he tries to tee himself up but with his back to goal he can't do it and lays it off to Oscar instead whose drilled shot is saved. Corner.

Torres goes to ground in the box after a shove - a clear penalty - but after already giving three tonight the referee doesn't consider it and waves away the appeals.

Ferreira breaks with purpose down the right, but collides with his team-mate Moses, perhaps giving a clue at how little he is on the wavelength of his team nowadays.

Easy to see why Nordsjaelland have the worst defensive record in this competition - completely overpowered.

A poor goal kick by Hansen is cheered, it is scuffed but fortunately lands at the feet of one of his defenders rather than one of the opposition's attackers

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Juan Mata departs, Paulo Ferreira comes on to replace him and make his first appearance of the season.

20 minutes remain - Juventus still lead 1-0 against Shakhtar meaning the margin of Chelsea's win is ultimately fruitless.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Oscar fires homes Chelsea's sixth after Nordsjaelland loses possession just outside their own box allowing Mata to send the Brazilian through on goal. The home side have completely overwhelmed their opposition tonight.

The game has become something of a glorified training ground exercise with Chelsea's various attacking options taking it in turns to carve out openings for Torres to score a hat-trick.

Chelsea are attacking relentlessly here, Mata, Moses, Hazard all finding chances for Torres in the box.

There is no respite for Nordsjaelland - Chelsea keep attacking and only a fine save by Hansen's legs stop a sixth goal.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> 5-1 now. Mata gets in on the act - Hazard squares the ball on the edge of the six-yard box but Hansen saves Mata's first effort, he is quick to follow up and tap into the empty net though making the scoreline emphatic.

Torres goes down in the box looking for a penalty, and it is right in front of the referee, but it is not considered. It looked like a valid shout.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ryan Bertrand enters the fray, replacing Ashley Cole who picked up a knock at the end of the first half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Chelsea counter attack, and have an extra man, Torres feeds Hazard down the left flank and the Belgian cuts inside and plays the ball back to the Spanish striker at the near post to tap in. 4-1, Torres has two.

Juventus have taken the lead in Donetsk - that means regardless of Chelsea's result they will be going out of the Champions League and into the Europa League. Silence around Stamford Bridge as word gets around.

Mata and Moses link up on the right wing and force a corner.

Chelsea are on the attack and looking for the fourth. Torres is getting involved in the build up play well, but when it comes to putting the finishes touches he is nowhere near the required standard.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Goal machine Gary Cahill restores Chelsea's two goal advantage. A free kick from the right is swung into a crowded box but Cahill, as he so often does, leaps highest, and gets a firm head on the ball.

Hazard tries to do just that, breaking down the left, but his poked ball to Torres is too hard and goes for a goal kick.

Nordsjaelland have started with real purpose this half. It is down to Chelsea to snatch the initiative back and force a third goal.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> They mean business - Nordsjaelland have pulled a goal back straight away. A long ball over the top finds John who neatly prods it over Cech and into the goal.

The teams are out for the second half and Nordsjaelland get us underway...

<img src="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1205/davidluizcelebratespenvnords20121205_275x155.jpg"> Here is David Luiz celebrating that neat penalty against Nordsjaelland

So - it looks like Chelsea could be on for their first win under Rafa Benitez. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/2066?cc=5739" target="_blank">Find out why he is the odd man out here</a>.

Shakhtar and Juventus is goalless, Chelsea still have a chance of qualification but they need Juve to lose.

HALF TIME: Chelsea 2-0 Nordsjaelland

In the process of Torres scoring that goal, Hansen, Nordsjaelland's goalkeeper, has injured his head but he gets to his feet after treatment and looks ok.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> You won't believes this - but - TORRES GOAL!!! Moses plays the Spaniard through and his shot rebounds back off the goalkeeper into his body presenting him with a near open goal to shoot at. He doesn't miss and Chelsea look to have sewn up the win.

There has been a slightly more subdues atmosphere on the pitch since the goal, Nordsjaelland are happy to defend until the break while Chelsea aren't throwing bodies forward so desperately.

Luiz's ball from the back is searching for Torres and only just misses him. Lovely vision from the Brazilian defender.

Chelsea enjoying a lot of possession around the Nordsjaelland box but the visitors have lots in defence and are proving hard to break down.

Luiz is mobbed by all his team-mates, it shows just how much it means to them, and they deserve to be in the lead for the run of chances they have made.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> David Luiz looks flustered but we all know that doesn't matter - he runs up and places the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal.

ANOTHER CHELSEA PENALTY - Mata's shot from the edge of the box strikes an arm and a third spot kick is given.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Anders Christiansen goes into the referee's book for a challenge on Luiz.

Chelsea had scored all six penalties they were awarded this season before tonight.

Ten minutes until the break - there is no doubt Chelsea have been on top for the majority of the game, but are they going to pay for not taking their chances.

Hazard, hands on hips, casually struts up and puts the penalty to the goalkeepers left but it is saved. No pace or power. Very poor.

ANOTHER PENALTY - From the corner Chelsea win a penalty for handball on Beckmann.

Torres picks up the ball, cuts inside and finds the space to shoot but his attempted toe poke reveals a striker low on confidence - deflected for a corner.

Petr Cech makes himself big and dives to his right to keep Stokholm's penalty out and Stamford Bridge erupts.

PENALTY TO NORDSJAELLAND - GARY CAHILL'S ARM CUTS OUT A THROUGH BALL.

Adu's long-range shot offers no threat to Cech. Chelsea in control.

It is worth noting at this point that it remains goalless between Shakhtar and Juventus.

A combination of Hazard and Moses down the left wing forces Hansen in the Nordsjaelland goal to make another desperate save. The pressure is building.

Moses right wing cross goes along the goal line and Stokholm, a makeshift centreback nearly slices the ball into his own net. It hits the bar and flies out for a corner.

Hazard's promising counter-attack down the left comes to an end when his ball into the box is cut out by a defender.

Luiz plays a ball over the top onto the chest of Torres but as the Spaniard shapes to shoot he is hustled off the ball and dumped on the ground by an unassuming Nordsjaelland defender.

But Ramires wins the ball back and Chelsea come away - eventually Cole's left wing pass to Torres is too heavy and the ball is out of play for a Nordsjaelland throw.

When they are in possession Nordsjaelland are well capable of passing the ball around.

A burst of quick one-touch passing sees Chelsea break into the box but Torres' final shot is tame, he can't really reach the ball in all fairness. Lovely build-up play from the hosts.

Chelsea fans sing: 'Come on Shakhtar'

Nordsjaelland are camped out in their own half with Chelsea attempting to pick out the pass which cuts them open. Ramires eventually feeds Moses but he is just offside. Great try.

Moses wins a corner on the right wing. Moses and Hazard have provided the real danger for Nordsjaelland so far.

Moses, looking for space on the right, cuts back to Ivanovic who loses possession and Nordsjaelland counter attack.

Torres swings wildly at a Moses cross from the right and it hits his standing leg and bounces away - all together now WAHEY!

Hazard turns and rides two challenges down the left wing before firing in a cross and earning a corner.

There's a good atmosphere is Stamford Bridge tonight, probably the best of Benitez's short reign. 'Champions of Europe' rings loudly round the stands.

A Nordsjaelland corner is cut out by Torres so we now know he is good at keeping the ball out of goal.

Chelsea make more chance through Torres and Ramires. Hansen in the Nordsjaelland goal has been busy in this opening ten minutes.

Torres (offside) goes through on goal and chips the goalkeeper to loud cheers. Shame.

Great save from the Nordsjaelland goalkeeper after Victor Moses volleys on target from a tight angle.

Nordsjaelland already have the worst defensive record of any team in the competition and with Runje gone they now have to make do without both of their first choice central defenders.

The stretcher is on for Runje, a central defender, and it is not the start Nordsjaelland would have wanted.

An injury stops play.Nordsjaelland's Ivan Runje is down and receiving treatment in his own half. It looks like he has a muscle injury.

It is an energetic start from both teams with Chelsea positioned high up the pitch.

Headed away at the front post before an over-zealous from Ramires sees Nordsjaelland win a free kick.

Early pressure from Chelsea earns a corner.

Cahill pumps the ball forward towards Torres whose attempted 1-2 with Mata is cut out by the Nordsjaelland defence.

KICK OFF. Torres and Mata get us underway.

Nordsjaelland are without one of their main central defenders and their main striker. They're up against it tonight facing the European Champs with a point to prove.

The teams are out, Chelsea in blue, Nordsjaelland in red, Rafa in all black suit and tie.

'Fergie: Hands off Mourinho. He is our Special One' reads a banner in the crowd at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea stand to grab an unwanted record if they are eliminated tonight. They will be the first holders to exit the Champions League at the group stage.

There is really only one permutation that matters tonight as far as Chelsea are concerned. Here it is: <b>Chelsea can only qualify if they beat FC Nordsjælland and Juventus lose in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donetsk.</b>

John Terry is urging Chelsea on in his programme notes. He says: "Let's not beat around the bush. No wins in six games is simply not good enough and since I have been here I have not experienced a run like this. "We, as players, have to stand up and take responsibility - stand up and stick together. We demand a lot of ourselves and we have to focus on rediscovering the winning habit."

Fancy a pre-match stat? This is on behalf of our friends at Opta: Oscar has attempted four shots from outside the area in the UCL this season, all four have hit the target and three have gone in. He is on the bench for Chelsea tonight.

<a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1251767/2012-club-world-cup-preview:-japan-set-for-global-gathering?cc=5739" target="_blank">Chelsea head off to the Club World Cup soon, read ESPN's preview of the comepetition here.</a>

This evening's referee is Bas Nijhuis from Holland.

Join me for live commentary of the Chelsea v Nordsjælland at 7:30pm GMT.

Chelsea face Nordsjælland, here is their team: Hansen, Mtiliga, Runje, Parkhurst, Ti&#269;inovic, Adu, A.Christiansen, Gundelach, Lorentzen, John, Stokholm

Benitez opts for Oriel Romeu and Victor Moses in his starting line up. There is no place for Oscar.

Chelsea subs: Turnbull, Oscar, Mikel, Ferreira, Marin, Azpilicueta, Bertrand

Chelsea team to face Nordsjælland: Cech, Ivanovi&#263;, Cole, Cahill , Luiz, Romeu, Ramires, Mata, Moses, Hazard, Torres

Let's get straight into the team news. Rafael Benitez has made a couple of interesting choices.

Good evening and welcome to what promises to be an exciting night for Chelsea FC.

Torres goes down in the box looking for a penalty, and it is right in front of the referee, but it is not considered. It looked like a valid shout.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ryan Bertrand enters the fray, replacing Ashley Cole who picked up a knock at the end of the first half.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Chelsea counter attack, and have an extra man, Torres feeds Hazard down the left flank and the Belgian cuts inside and plays the ball back to the Spanish striker at the near post to tap in. 4-1, Torres has two.

Juventus have taken the lead in Donetsk - that means regardless of Chelsea's result they will be going out of the Champions League and into the Europa League. Silence around Stamford Bridge as word gets around.

Mata and Moses link up on the right wing and force a corner.

Chelsea are on the attack and looking for the fourth. Torres is getting involved in the build up play well, but when it comes to putting the finishes touches he is nowhere near the required standard.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Goal machine Gary Cahill restores Chelsea's two goal advantage. A free kick from the right is swung into a crowded box but Cahill, as he so often does, leaps highest, and gets a firm head on the ball.

Hazard tries to do just that, breaking down the left, but his poked ball to Torres is too hard and goes for a goal kick.

Nordsjaelland have started with real purpose this half. It is down to Chelsea to snatch the initiative back and force a third goal.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> They mean business - Nordsjaelland have pulled a goal back straight away. A long ball over the top finds John who neatly prods it over Cech and into the goal.

The teams are out for the second half and Nordsjaelland get us underway...

<img src="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/1205/davidluizcelebratespenvnords20121205_275x155.jpg"> Here is David Luiz celebrating that neat penalty against Nordsjaelland

So - it looks like Chelsea could be on for their first win under Rafa Benitez. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/2066?cc=5739" target="_blank">Find out why he is the odd man out here</a>.

Shakhtar and Juventus is goalless, Chelsea still have a chance of qualification but they need Juve to lose.

HALF TIME: Chelsea 2-0 Nordsjaelland

In the process of Torres scoring that goal, Hansen, Nordsjaelland's goalkeeper, has injured his head but he gets to his feet after treatment and looks ok.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> You won't believes this - but - TORRES GOAL!!! Moses plays the Spaniard through and his shot rebounds back off the goalkeeper into his body presenting him with a near open goal to shoot at. He doesn't miss and Chelsea look to have sewn up the win.

There has been a slightly more subdues atmosphere on the pitch since the goal, Nordsjaelland are happy to defend until the break while Chelsea aren't throwing bodies forward so desperately.

Luiz's ball from the back is searching for Torres and only just misses him. Lovely vision from the Brazilian defender.

Chelsea enjoying a lot of possession around the Nordsjaelland box but the visitors have lots in defence and are proving hard to break down.

Luiz is mobbed by all his team-mates, it shows just how much it means to them, and they deserve to be in the lead for the run of chances they have made.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> David Luiz looks flustered but we all know that doesn't matter - he runs up and places the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal.

ANOTHER CHELSEA PENALTY - Mata's shot from the edge of the box strikes an arm and a third spot kick is given.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Anders Christiansen goes into the referee's book for a challenge on Luiz.

Chelsea had scored all six penalties they were awarded this season before tonight.

Ten minutes until the break - there is no doubt Chelsea have been on top for the majority of the game, but are they going to pay for not taking their chances.

Hazard, hands on hips, casually struts up and puts the penalty to the goalkeepers left but it is saved. No pace or power. Very poor.

ANOTHER PENALTY - From the corner Chelsea win a penalty for handball on Beckmann.

Torres picks up the ball, cuts inside and finds the space to shoot but his attempted toe poke reveals a striker low on confidence - deflected for a corner.

Petr Cech makes himself big and dives to his right to keep Stokholm's penalty out and Stamford Bridge erupts.

PENALTY TO NORDSJAELLAND - GARY CAHILL'S ARM CUTS OUT A THROUGH BALL.

Adu's long-range shot offers no threat to Cech. Chelsea in control.

It is worth noting at this point that it remains goalless between Shakhtar and Juventus.

A combination of Hazard and Moses down the left wing forces Hansen in the Nordsjaelland goal to make another desperate save. The pressure is building.

Moses right wing cross goes along the goal line and Stokholm, a makeshift centreback nearly slices the ball into his own net. It hits the bar and flies out for a corner.

Hazard's promising counter-attack down the left comes to an end when his ball into the box is cut out by a defender.

Luiz plays a ball over the top onto the chest of Torres but as the Spaniard shapes to shoot he is hustled off the ball and dumped on the ground by an unassuming Nordsjaelland defender.

But Ramires wins the ball back and Chelsea come away - eventually Cole's left wing pass to Torres is too heavy and the ball is out of play for a Nordsjaelland throw.

When they are in possession Nordsjaelland are well capable of passing the ball around.

A burst of quick one-touch passing sees Chelsea break into the box but Torres' final shot is tame, he can't really reach the ball in all fairness. Lovely build-up play from the hosts.

Chelsea fans sing: 'Come on Shakhtar'

Nordsjaelland are camped out in their own half with Chelsea attempting to pick out the pass which cuts them open. Ramires eventually feeds Moses but he is just offside. Great try.

Moses wins a corner on the right wing. Moses and Hazard have provided the real danger for Nordsjaelland so far.

Moses, looking for space on the right, cuts back to Ivanovic who loses possession and Nordsjaelland counter attack.

Torres swings wildly at a Moses cross from the right and it hits his standing leg and bounces away - all together now WAHEY!

Hazard turns and rides two challenges down the left wing before firing in a cross and earning a corner.

There's a good atmosphere is Stamford Bridge tonight, probably the best of Benitez's short reign. 'Champions of Europe' rings loudly round the stands.

A Nordsjaelland corner is cut out by Torres so we now know he is good at keeping the ball out of goal.

Chelsea make more chance through Torres and Ramires. Hansen in the Nordsjaelland goal has been busy in this opening ten minutes.

Torres (offside) goes through on goal and chips the goalkeeper to loud cheers. Shame.

Great save from the Nordsjaelland goalkeeper after Victor Moses volleys on target from a tight angle.

Nordsjaelland already have the worst defensive record of any team in the competition and with Runje gone they now have to make do without both of their first choice central defenders.

The stretcher is on for Runje, a central defender, and it is not the start Nordsjaelland would have wanted.

An injury stops play.Nordsjaelland's Ivan Runje is down and receiving treatment in his own half. It looks like he has a muscle injury.

It is an energetic start from both teams with Chelsea positioned high up the pitch.

Headed away at the front post before an over-zealous from Ramires sees Nordsjaelland win a free kick.

Early pressure from Chelsea earns a corner.

Cahill pumps the ball forward towards Torres whose attempted 1-2 with Mata is cut out by the Nordsjaelland defence.

KICK OFF. Torres and Mata get us underway.

Nordsjaelland are without one of their main central defenders and their main striker. They're up against it tonight facing the European Champs with a point to prove.

The teams are out, Chelsea in blue, Nordsjaelland in red, Rafa in all black suit and tie.

'Fergie: Hands off Mourinho. He is our Special One' reads a banner in the crowd at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea stand to grab an unwanted record if they are eliminated tonight. They will be the first holders to exit the Champions League at the group stage.

There is really only one permutation that matters tonight as far as Chelsea are concerned. Here it is: <b>Chelsea can only qualify if they beat FC Nordsjælland and Juventus lose in Ukraine against Shakhtar Donetsk.</b>

John Terry is urging Chelsea on in his programme notes. He says: "Let's not beat around the bush. No wins in six games is simply not good enough and since I have been here I have not experienced a run like this. "We, as players, have to stand up and take responsibility - stand up and stick together. We demand a lot of ourselves and we have to focus on rediscovering the winning habit."

Fancy a pre-match stat? This is on behalf of our friends at Opta: Oscar has attempted four shots from outside the area in the UCL this season, all four have hit the target and three have gone in. He is on the bench for Chelsea tonight.

<a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1251767/2012-club-world-cup-preview:-japan-set-for-global-gathering?cc=5739" target="_blank">Chelsea head off to the Club World Cup soon, read ESPN's preview of the comepetition here.</a>

This evening's referee is Bas Nijhuis from Holland.

Join me for live commentary of the Chelsea v Nordsjælland at 7:30pm GMT.

Chelsea face Nordsjælland, here is their team: Hansen, Mtiliga, Runje, Parkhurst, Ti&#269;inovic, Adu, A.Christiansen, Gundelach, Lorentzen, John, Stokholm

Benitez opts for Oriel Romeu and Victor Moses in his starting line up. There is no place for Oscar.

Chelsea subs: Turnbull, Oscar, Mikel, Ferreira, Marin, Azpilicueta, Bertrand

Chelsea team to face Nordsjælland: Cech, Ivanovi&#263;, Cole, Cahill , Luiz, Romeu, Ramires, Mata, Moses, Hazard, Torres

Let's get straight into the team news. Rafael Benitez has made a couple of interesting choices.

Good evening and welcome to what promises to be an exciting night for Chelsea FC.