Barkley penalty drama costs Chelsea

Ross Barkley missed the chance to draw Chelsea level against Valencia

Ross Barkley missed a late VAR-awarded penalty as Frank Lampard lost 1-0 to Valencia on his Champions League debut as Chelsea manager.

Chelsea had the chance to cancel out Rodrigo’s 74th-minute opener and salvage a point when the Video Assistant Referee alerted the on-field official to Daniel Wass’ handball in the area with three minutes remaining.

Barkley insisted he should take the spot-kick, snatching the ball off regular penalty taker Jorginho, but his effort cannoned off the top of the crossbar.

The late penalty controversy compounded a harsh introduction to Champions League football for Lampard, who lost Mason Mount to injury just 16 minutes and still awaits the first home victory of his tenure at Chelsea.

Rodrigo celebrates firing Valencia into the lead at Stamford Bridge

Valencia players and fans supposedly arrived in London in disarray following the sacking of manager Marcelino last week, but they were far from mutiny as they produced a classy display against Lampard’s youthful side which featured four competition debutants.

Tammy Abraham, fresh from his hat-trick at Wolves, was denied a maiden Champions League goal when his near-post flick was blocked by Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

Mason Mount then received a painful introduction to Europe when former Arsenal midfielder Frances Coquelin left his studs on the inside of the youngster’s shin which yielded only a yellow card and forced the youngster off inside 16 minutes.

Mason Mount was forced off 15 minutes into his Champions League debut

Abraham went close again with a far-post header from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross and Willian’s powerful run through the middle only produced a shot which flew wide.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard lost on his debut in the Champions League

Willian, Chelsea’s biggest threat in the first half, almost fashioned a spectacular opener when he controlled Mateo Kovacic’s cross-field pass on his chest, but his first-time shot flew over. And on the stroke of half-time the Brazilian’s fierce drive towards the near post was parried clear by Cillessen.

Marcos Alonso took the game to Valencia early in the second half, drilling in a free-kick which Cillessen tipped behind before heading the resulting corner over.

Rodrigo gave the Chelsea defence the slip before scooping in Valencia’s winner

But in the 74th minute, they fell behind, Rodrigo giving the Chelsea defence the slip as he raced onto Daniel Parejo’s chipped free-kick and swept the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The drama reached fever pitch five minutes from time when Chelsea’s players appealed for a handball, and replays did indeed show Fikayo Tomori’s header had struck the hand of defender Wass.

Referee Cuneyt Cakir consulted the pitchside VAR monitor before awarding Chelsea’s late penalty

After an interminable VAR delay, a spot-kick was finally given but Barkley, on as a substitute just seven minutes earlier, took responsibility into his own hands only to crash his effort against the frame of the goal.

What’s next?

Chelsea vs Liverpool

September 22, 2019, 4:00pm

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Chelsea host league leaders Liverpool on Renault Super Sunday – live on 4pm on Sky Sports Premier League; Kick-off 4.30pm. Valencia, meanwhile, host Leganes in La Liga on the same day (Kick-off 3pm)

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