UEFA Champions League Group E wrap: Mata brace fires Chelsea

Juan Mata scored a double as Chelsea beat FC Nordsjaelland 4-0 in Group E of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

The reigning champions of Europe’s premier club competition finished convincing winners in Denmark but the scoreline flattered them as they scored three goals in the final 11 minutes.

Nordsjaelland enjoyed good spells in the game and could have easily scored early in the second half, but were made to pay for their profligacy as Mata was joined by David Luiz and Ramires on the scoresheet.

Chelsea should have scored immediately, only for Victor Moses’ effort from two yards to be headed against the post by Jores Okore.

Oscar and Frank Lampard both fired shots on goal that failed to trouble Nordsjaelland goalkeeper Jesper Hansen, before Ashley Cole was called on to save the day at the other end of the pitch.

The defender tracked back well, putting in a last-ditch lunge to deny Kasper Lorentzen from giving the hosts the lead.

Chelsea took the lead on 33 minutes when Enoch Adu was caught in possession by Fernando Torres, with Lampard also involved before Mata, who charged down the right, fired home to give Roberto Di Matteo’s side the lead.

Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net within a minute of the second half but Oscar’s effort was ruled out for offside and Nordsjaelland made the most of the reprieve and put the pressure on the English Premier League outfit.

Mikkel Beckmann had two good chances before Dutchman Joshua John was denied by a combination of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and the woodwork.

John cut inside from the left, skipped past David Luiz and hit a fierce shot towards the top corner, only to see Cech tip the effort onto the bar and away to safety.

Chelsea’s second goal of the match killed off the contest, with Luiz firing a superb free-kick past Hansen from 25 yards on 79 minutes.

Mata coolly slotted his second just moments later before Ramires capped off the win, tapping in a fourth after neat build-up play from Torres and Oscar in the dying stages.

In the other Group E fixture, Juventus drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk in Turin.

Brazilian Alex Teixeira gave the visitors from Ukraine the lead after just 23 minutes but Juventus quickly responded.

Leonardo Bonucci was the man who levelled proceedings, just two minutes after they went behind, as Juventus notched their second consecutive draw in the competition.