Johor 3-3 Chelsea: Liam Delap double saves rotated Blues in 6-goal pre-season thriller
Liam Delap scored twice from the penalty spot as a much-changed Chelsea side came from behind to draw 3-3 with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta’zim at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Less than 24 hours after beating AC Milan 3-0, head coach Xabi Alonso changed his entire starting XI and handed valuable minutes to several younger and fringe members of his squad. Chelsea were tested throughout by a lively Johor side, but Delap twice kept them in the contest before a late own goal secured the draw.
Johor took the lead through Arif Aiman midway through the first half after Chelsea were caught on the counter-attack. Delap equalised from the penalty spot before the interval and struck again from 12 yards after the break to briefly put the visitors ahead.
Óscar Arribas quickly made it 2-2 with a deflected free-kick before substitute Bergson restored Johor’s advantage. Chelsea responded for a third time late on when Delap’s header was turned into the Johor net for an own goal, with the full scoring sequence detailed in the post-match report.
Alonso’s decision to rotate was understandable given the demanding turnaround from Saturday’s victory over Milan.
ReadChelsea confirmed all 11 changes before kick-off, with Teddy Sharman-Lowe starting in goal and Mamadou Sarr, Tosin Adarabioyo and Aaron Anselmino forming the defence.
Dário Essugo captained the side, while Estêvão, Jamie Gittens, Nicolas Jackson and Delap were all included in an attacking line-up.
Chelsea controlled plenty of possession during the opening stages but struggled to turn it into clear chances. Johor were more direct and carried a consistent threat whenever Alonso’s side lost the ball.
That approach brought the opening goal when Marcos Guilherme released Arif Aiman, who finished the move to give the hosts the lead.
Chelsea’s response came through Delap. The striker was fouled inside the area and took the penalty himself, making no mistake from the spot to send the sides into half-time level.
ReadChelsea also carried the footage of Delap’s first equaliser, which provided an important contribution on an afternoon when Chelsea often struggled to create opportunities from open play.
Delap strikes again but Chelsea cannot hold lead
Gabriel Slonina replaced Sharman-Lowe for the second half and was called into action almost immediately as Johor continued to threaten on the break.
Chelsea then earned their second penalty when Gittens was brought down inside the box. Delap again stepped forward and converted to give Alonso’s side the lead for the first time.
The advantage lasted less than five minutes. Arribas’ free-kick took a deflection on its way into the top corner, leaving Slonina with little chance as Johor quickly restored parity.
The home side then moved 3-2 ahead when Bergson made an impact from the bench, completing another swift Johor attack and leaving Chelsea facing defeat.
Alonso’s side continued to push and eventually found another response. Delap attacked a ball into the area and his header ultimately went in off a Johor player, with the own goal ensuring Chelsea finished their Asian programme with a draw.
The result was a sharp contrast to the controlled 3-0 victory over AC Milan, when João Pedro scored twice and Moisés Caicedo added the third as Chelsea limited Milan to few opportunities.
Against Johor, the emphasis was instead on giving minutes to players attempting to force their way into Alonso’s plans. There were encouraging moments, particularly from Delap, but the ease with which Johor created opportunities on the counter will also give the Chelsea head coach something to consider.
For Chelsea, that is precisely what pre-season is for.
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