Chelsea against Rubin Kazan

Chelsea hardly seeing out the game comfortably. Rubin are enjoying a healthy spell.

Some Chelsea fans chanting for Jose Mourinho.

Hairy moment as Rondon's flick finds Gokdeniz, who crosses. Chelsea just about usher the ball back to Cech.

Unusually sloppy touch from Oscar allows Rubin to pinch back the ball. 3-1 would be a solid enough result for Chelsea, but should the visitors pinch another then the second leg would be a little more interesting.

Rondon made to look very silly by Ramires as he tries to round the Brazilian who stands up strong before nipping the ball off the striker with ease.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Marin is on for Benayoun.

As I type that, Lampard almost scores. A deflected pass finds Torres, who clips it central for the unmarked Lampard only for the flag to go up for offside.

Lampard has been quiet this evening. He's played a more reserved role.

Hazard showing how much of a joy he is to watch as he burns past an opponent before skipping past another challenge. He wins a corner which is cleared.

Sarcastic applause from Torres in the referee's direction after he was not awarded a free-kick. Did look a foul, in fairness.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> The brilliant Mata is replaced by Oscar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Benayoun is carded for a sliding challenge. Was a little clumsy from the midfielder.

Oscar is about to come on, apparently. Excellent news for those who like football.

Gokdeniz looks in after curving his run but the flag is up for offside. Not much in that, really, with Azpilicueta snoozing.

Terry lets off some steam verbally after being penalised when challenging for a header.

Benayoun is now operating on the right flank following the introduction of Hazard.

Chelsea now popping the ball about in spritely fashion.

Mata curls in an inviting cross and Torres rises to plant a deadly header past the goalkeeper. Two goals for the Spain striker this evening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Torres makes it 3-1!

Rubin appeal for another penalty following what they felt was another Terry handball.

Torres continues to scurry about willingly.

Good catch from Ryzhikov, as Terry lurked at the back post looking to head home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Hazard is on for Moses, who has impressed.

Rondon collects it on the edge of the area. Luiz backs off and the striker duly shoots. But he telegraphs his effort, while lacking power. Easy for Cech.

Real chance for Rubin...

Fabulous bit of skill from Terry, bringing a ball under control with a flick of the heel, brings a warm applause from the crowd.

Ramires has a pop from 25 yards out but he fails to catch it sweetly and drags the shot wide of the target.

Lovely piece of control from Mata, killing a high ball dead before feeding Moses.

Mata swings in the corner and Terry challenges. The ball is then deflected over the bar, similar to Rubin's recent chance from their own corner.

Corner to Chelsea after Torres' cross creeps over the goalkeeper only for Gokdeniz to nod out.

Rondon is sporting the No. 99 on the back of his shirt.

Oof. Cech punches the delivery into the back of an opponent. It loops over the bar, with the goal gaping.

Corner to Rubin as Rondon works hard to chase down a lost cause.

Moses tumbles into the box under a challenge from Gokdeniz. Nothing doing from the ref, while the appeals were muted.

Another sketchy moment in the Chelsea backline as Luiz waves his arms in the air, presumably expecting Cech to claim. Only for the trajectory of the ball to change and almost catch them out.

Torres chips in a cross but the goalkeeper is there to pluck the ball out of the sky.

Benayoun meets a Mata cross with his head but I'm not sure anyone expected it to hit the target. It didn't.

What a save. Mata finds a pocked of space after being fed in by Moses. He hits it low and hard but the goalkeeper is down superbly to palm it away.

Mata sends in the resulting free-kick and it bobbles about in the box before being hacked away.

Torres shows confidence to control the ball and cut inside, but he is felled illegally according to the ref.

Azpilicueta hangs up a cross but Ryzhikov leaps to claim the ball confidently.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Half-time change: Dyadyun is off for Rondon.

<b>Second half:</b> Chelsea get us back under way.

Just seen another replay of the Moses goal. His header, which preceded the volley, looked to have been tame, but on this viewing it did seem to catch a divot when it bounced goalwards, so perhaps the goalkeeper wasn't to blame for parrying it.

Scores from elsewhere: Benfica 1-1 Newcastle, Fenerbahce 0-0 Lazio, Tottenham 1-2 Basel.

Chelsea were in full control thanks to goals from Torres (yes) and Moses before a somewhat harsh penalty via a Terry handball that was scored by Natcho gave the visitors a boost.

<b>Half-time: Chelsea 2-1 Rubin Kazan.</b>

One minute of added time will be played.

Another shot from distance. Ansaldi hits a striker which skims off the surface and flashes just wide. Cech was scrambling.

That away goal has given Rubin something to hold onto now. At 2-0, they were in a lot of bother. But their manager Berdyev would surely be content to take 2-1 back to Russia with them.

Rubin have an away goal. Natcho steps up and fires in, as Cech dives the wrong way. All of a sudden, Rubin have their tails up. As for the awarding of the penalty, it looked harsh. Terry's arm was in a natural position.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Natcho slots home to make it 2-1!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Terry is booked for handling in the box.

<b>PENALTY TO RUBIN</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0404/fernandotorresopeninggoal20130404_275x155.jpg">

Ball on! Rubin are on the attack but another ball bounces onto the pitch. The referee has to halt play.

Have Rubin been told Cech is iffy at shot-stopping? Did they not see his save from Hernandez on Monday? I ask as Eremenko has a pop from way, way out. It fails to hit the target.

The away end is empty, from what I can see. Maybe a handful of visiting fans, but they are out view.

Dyadyun is back on. Rubin win a corner which Cesar Navas wins. The ball flashes along the six-yard line before being cleared.

Dyadyun does not look a good way after being bundled into by Cech. Water is being sprayed on his face in a bid to awake him from the shock.

There was a collision, too, with Dyadyun receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, Luiz and Cech almost have a mix up as they fail to talk, after Terry warned the latter about it just earlier.

What a strange goal. Moses reaches a cross and nods at goal. The goalkeeper Ryzhikov needlessly parries, having reacted to the powerless header very slowly, so the attack remain ignited. Chelsea recycle the ball and Moses is unmarked to control then lash into the roof of the net.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Moses makes it 2-0!

Rubin work it nicely around the edge of Chelsea's box but they lack the killer ball against a Blue wall.

I do like the way Luiz plays. Such confidence, also matched with technical ability. He is a great ball-playing centre-back.

Terry has a go at Cech for not communicating. That's how quiet it is: I could pick that out.

Torres leaps high to win a long ball. He wins the header but is flagged offside.

Mata's corner is dealt with, but only just. Iffy defending.

Corner to Chelsea, via the flag. Always pleasing to see the ball hit the flag.

Natcho is not shy of shooting. He tries another strike from distance. This time it is central but the bounce is awkward for Cech, who gobbles it up.

Torres heavily involved. IS HE BACK? We've been here before, all right...

Chelsea then spring forward. Bertrand runs at the goalkeeper and dinks central but the defence clear the danger.

Cech called into action. Natcho unleashes a wicked effort that swings in the air. The goalkeeper springs to his left and parries away.

Rare sleepy moment from Mata as he is robbed of the ball.

A rabona from Torres! The forward speeds down the right and then sends in a cross via this medium of skill.

Had to watch two replays of the goal before confirming it wasn't an own goal.

Luiz sends a defence-splitting pass forward. It is deep and finds Torres in space. He controls, but the ball threatens to get away from the Spaniard. Under pressure from his marker and also the goalkeeper, the ball is bundled home by the striker.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Chelsea have the lead!

Well won by Ramires in the centre of the park to break up a Rubin attack.

Speaking of the Spaniard, he was just involved. Torres pulled down a high ball but then scuffed his shot well wide of the goal.

Torres, there, sporting his mask, having recently broken his nose.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0404/torresmaskpre-match20130404_275x155.jpg">

Typically wonderful from Mata as he tip-toes his way past a couple of challenges before drilling it into the box. The ball is only half-cleared and Ramires smashes it over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Good work from Torres to pick up a long ball, hold up play then work it back into a central area.

On the left, Ansaldi drops a shoulder and hits a swerving effort that swings off target. Decent try.

Sloppy start to the match. Ramires looks a little off the pace, in particular.

Terry hits a fine cross-field ball to Moses, who is unable to pick out a Chelsea team-mate with his cross.

Benayoun just embarked on a mazy run but ultimately overdid it.

To emphasise how tepid the atmosphere is: you can hear the players shouting to one another.

Chelsea beginning to dominate possession even this early on. Benayoun just flung himself to the floor. Referee ignored him.

Bertrand is on the cover, coming central to nod away a searching pass.

Atmosphere is not the best during these early stages at Stamford Bridge. Could hear a pin drop.

<b>Kick-off:</b> Rubin get us under way.

It's time for the, erm, Europa League anthem.

Teams are in the tunnel. Terry will lead out the home side. Off they trot, their studs clacking against the corridor floor.

Gokhan Tore is on the bench for the visitors. The Turkey international was a youth player for Chelsea before leaving for Hamburg in 2011.

Rondon has impressed for Rubin this season but he only makes the bench. Neal Doyle, via Twitter, informs me: "Struggling for fitness and out of form. Dyadyun is an adequate replacement."

Some words from the popular Benitez: "So many games in a short period is difficult and not normal but when you're successful, this is the way." After he rotated for the Southampton defeat there have been some suggestions the Spaniard sees the chance of potentially lifting two trophies, over fourth place, more sparkly for his CV.

Conditions: London's temperature today matches that of Russia - what that translates to is bitter. It snowed on my commute into work. It's April. Hopefully the football will warm our cockles, etc.

Chelsea's opponents, Rubin, aren't to be sniffed at. They may be fourth in the Russian Premier League, but in Europe this season they've been impressive, notching stand-up-and-take-notice-results such as disposing of the holders Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea, eh, with their third game in six days. Benitez has made six changes to the side which beat Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup on Monday. We're to expect 'tired legs', apparently. Benayoun plays, which is cool.

<b>Rubin Kazan:</b> Ryzhikov, Kuzmin, Ansaldi, Navas, Obraiz, Kaleshin, Dyadyun, Eremenko, Karedeniz, Natcho, Sharanov. Subs: Arlauskis, Ryazantsev, Kasaev, Kislyak, Marcano, Tore, Rondon.

<b>Chelsea:</b> Cech, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Terry, Bertrand, Benayoun, Lampard, Mata, Ramires, Moses, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Oscar, Mikel, Hazard, Ferreira, Marin.

ESPN FC's <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDallESPN">James Dall</a> will be bringing you LIVE minute-by-minute commentary of Chelsea's Europa League quarter-final with Rubin Kazan, which kicks off at 20.05 BST. Team news to follow.

Terry lets off some steam verbally after being penalised when challenging for a header.

Benayoun is now operating on the right flank following the introduction of Hazard.

Chelsea now popping the ball about in spritely fashion.

Mata curls in an inviting cross and Torres rises to plant a deadly header past the goalkeeper. Two goals for the Spain striker this evening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Torres makes it 3-1!

Rubin appeal for another penalty following what they felt was another Terry handball.

Torres continues to scurry about willingly.

Good catch from Ryzhikov, as Terry lurked at the back post looking to head home.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Hazard is on for Moses, who has impressed.

Rondon collects it on the edge of the area. Luiz backs off and the striker duly shoots. But he telegraphs his effort, while lacking power. Easy for Cech.

Real chance for Rubin...

Fabulous bit of skill from Terry, bringing a ball under control with a flick of the heel, brings a warm applause from the crowd.

Ramires has a pop from 25 yards out but he fails to catch it sweetly and drags the shot wide of the target.

Lovely piece of control from Mata, killing a high ball dead before feeding Moses.

Mata swings in the corner and Terry challenges. The ball is then deflected over the bar, similar to Rubin's recent chance from their own corner.

Corner to Chelsea after Torres' cross creeps over the goalkeeper only for Gokdeniz to nod out.

Rondon is sporting the No. 99 on the back of his shirt.

Oof. Cech punches the delivery into the back of an opponent. It loops over the bar, with the goal gaping.

Corner to Rubin as Rondon works hard to chase down a lost cause.

Moses tumbles into the box under a challenge from Gokdeniz. Nothing doing from the ref, while the appeals were muted.

Another sketchy moment in the Chelsea backline as Luiz waves his arms in the air, presumably expecting Cech to claim. Only for the trajectory of the ball to change and almost catch them out.

Torres chips in a cross but the goalkeeper is there to pluck the ball out of the sky.

Benayoun meets a Mata cross with his head but I'm not sure anyone expected it to hit the target. It didn't.

What a save. Mata finds a pocked of space after being fed in by Moses. He hits it low and hard but the goalkeeper is down superbly to palm it away.

Mata sends in the resulting free-kick and it bobbles about in the box before being hacked away.

Torres shows confidence to control the ball and cut inside, but he is felled illegally according to the ref.

Azpilicueta hangs up a cross but Ryzhikov leaps to claim the ball confidently.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Half-time change: Dyadyun is off for Rondon.

<b>Second half:</b> Chelsea get us back under way.

Just seen another replay of the Moses goal. His header, which preceded the volley, looked to have been tame, but on this viewing it did seem to catch a divot when it bounced goalwards, so perhaps the goalkeeper wasn't to blame for parrying it.

Scores from elsewhere: Benfica 1-1 Newcastle, Fenerbahce 0-0 Lazio, Tottenham 1-2 Basel.

Chelsea were in full control thanks to goals from Torres (yes) and Moses before a somewhat harsh penalty via a Terry handball that was scored by Natcho gave the visitors a boost.

<b>Half-time: Chelsea 2-1 Rubin Kazan.</b>

One minute of added time will be played.

Another shot from distance. Ansaldi hits a striker which skims off the surface and flashes just wide. Cech was scrambling.

That away goal has given Rubin something to hold onto now. At 2-0, they were in a lot of bother. But their manager Berdyev would surely be content to take 2-1 back to Russia with them.

Rubin have an away goal. Natcho steps up and fires in, as Cech dives the wrong way. All of a sudden, Rubin have their tails up. As for the awarding of the penalty, it looked harsh. Terry's arm was in a natural position.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Natcho slots home to make it 2-1!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Terry is booked for handling in the box.

<b>PENALTY TO RUBIN</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0404/fernandotorresopeninggoal20130404_275x155.jpg">

Ball on! Rubin are on the attack but another ball bounces onto the pitch. The referee has to halt play.

Have Rubin been told Cech is iffy at shot-stopping? Did they not see his save from Hernandez on Monday? I ask as Eremenko has a pop from way, way out. It fails to hit the target.

The away end is empty, from what I can see. Maybe a handful of visiting fans, but they are out view.

Dyadyun is back on. Rubin win a corner which Cesar Navas wins. The ball flashes along the six-yard line before being cleared.

Dyadyun does not look a good way after being bundled into by Cech. Water is being sprayed on his face in a bid to awake him from the shock.

There was a collision, too, with Dyadyun receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, Luiz and Cech almost have a mix up as they fail to talk, after Terry warned the latter about it just earlier.

What a strange goal. Moses reaches a cross and nods at goal. The goalkeeper Ryzhikov needlessly parries, having reacted to the powerless header very slowly, so the attack remain ignited. Chelsea recycle the ball and Moses is unmarked to control then lash into the roof of the net.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Moses makes it 2-0!

Rubin work it nicely around the edge of Chelsea's box but they lack the killer ball against a Blue wall.

I do like the way Luiz plays. Such confidence, also matched with technical ability. He is a great ball-playing centre-back.

Terry has a go at Cech for not communicating. That's how quiet it is: I could pick that out.

Torres leaps high to win a long ball. He wins the header but is flagged offside.

Mata's corner is dealt with, but only just. Iffy defending.

Corner to Chelsea, via the flag. Always pleasing to see the ball hit the flag.

Natcho is not shy of shooting. He tries another strike from distance. This time it is central but the bounce is awkward for Cech, who gobbles it up.

Torres heavily involved. IS HE BACK? We've been here before, all right...

Chelsea then spring forward. Bertrand runs at the goalkeeper and dinks central but the defence clear the danger.

Cech called into action. Natcho unleashes a wicked effort that swings in the air. The goalkeeper springs to his left and parries away.

Rare sleepy moment from Mata as he is robbed of the ball.

A rabona from Torres! The forward speeds down the right and then sends in a cross via this medium of skill.

Had to watch two replays of the goal before confirming it wasn't an own goal.

Luiz sends a defence-splitting pass forward. It is deep and finds Torres in space. He controls, but the ball threatens to get away from the Spaniard. Under pressure from his marker and also the goalkeeper, the ball is bundled home by the striker.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Chelsea have the lead!

Well won by Ramires in the centre of the park to break up a Rubin attack.

Speaking of the Spaniard, he was just involved. Torres pulled down a high ball but then scuffed his shot well wide of the goal.

Torres, there, sporting his mask, having recently broken his nose.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0404/torresmaskpre-match20130404_275x155.jpg">

Typically wonderful from Mata as he tip-toes his way past a couple of challenges before drilling it into the box. The ball is only half-cleared and Ramires smashes it over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Good work from Torres to pick up a long ball, hold up play then work it back into a central area.

On the left, Ansaldi drops a shoulder and hits a swerving effort that swings off target. Decent try.

Sloppy start to the match. Ramires looks a little off the pace, in particular.

Terry hits a fine cross-field ball to Moses, who is unable to pick out a Chelsea team-mate with his cross.

Benayoun just embarked on a mazy run but ultimately overdid it.

To emphasise how tepid the atmosphere is: you can hear the players shouting to one another.

Chelsea beginning to dominate possession even this early on. Benayoun just flung himself to the floor. Referee ignored him.

Bertrand is on the cover, coming central to nod away a searching pass.

Atmosphere is not the best during these early stages at Stamford Bridge. Could hear a pin drop.

<b>Kick-off:</b> Rubin get us under way.

It's time for the, erm, Europa League anthem.

Teams are in the tunnel. Terry will lead out the home side. Off they trot, their studs clacking against the corridor floor.

Gokhan Tore is on the bench for the visitors. The Turkey international was a youth player for Chelsea before leaving for Hamburg in 2011.

Rondon has impressed for Rubin this season but he only makes the bench. Neal Doyle, via Twitter, informs me: "Struggling for fitness and out of form. Dyadyun is an adequate replacement."

Some words from the popular Benitez: "So many games in a short period is difficult and not normal but when you're successful, this is the way." After he rotated for the Southampton defeat there have been some suggestions the Spaniard sees the chance of potentially lifting two trophies, over fourth place, more sparkly for his CV.

Conditions: London's temperature today matches that of Russia - what that translates to is bitter. It snowed on my commute into work. It's April. Hopefully the football will warm our cockles, etc.

Chelsea's opponents, Rubin, aren't to be sniffed at. They may be fourth in the Russian Premier League, but in Europe this season they've been impressive, notching stand-up-and-take-notice-results such as disposing of the holders Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea, eh, with their third game in six days. Benitez has made six changes to the side which beat Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup on Monday. We're to expect 'tired legs', apparently. Benayoun plays, which is cool.

<b>Rubin Kazan:</b> Ryzhikov, Kuzmin, Ansaldi, Navas, Obraiz, Kaleshin, Dyadyun, Eremenko, Karedeniz, Natcho, Sharanov. Subs: Arlauskis, Ryazantsev, Kasaev, Kislyak, Marcano, Tore, Rondon.

<b>Chelsea:</b> Cech, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Terry, Bertrand, Benayoun, Lampard, Mata, Ramires, Moses, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Oscar, Mikel, Hazard, Ferreira, Marin.

ESPN FC's <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDallESPN">James Dall</a> will be bringing you LIVE minute-by-minute commentary of Chelsea's Europa League quarter-final with Rubin Kazan, which kicks off at 20.05 BST. Team news to follow.