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Juan Settles the Mata as Chelsea Get Champions League Campaign off to a Winning Start

Stewart Flaherty, September 15 2011,
A late goal from Juan Mata put the seal on a convincing 2-0 win for Chelsea over Bayer Leverkusen in their Group E
Juan Mata has made an early impression on the fans at Stamford Bridge.
Juan Mata has made an early impression on the fans at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea had the better of a scoreless first half during which both teams had goals disallowed. Fernando Torres first had the ball in the net only for Raul Meireles to be called offside, before Leverkusen defender Omer Toprak had a goal ruled out for a foul on Florent Malouda.

Leverkusen goalkeeper Leno also saved well from Torres and Daniel Sturridge to keep the scores level going into the break.

Leverkusen started the second half well but Brazilian defender David Luiz opened the scoring for Chelsea with a curling shot from outside the penalty area.

Mata then calmed any injury time nerves for Chelsea when he slotted home a pass from his fellow Spaniard Torres.

Mata has made only three appearances for the Blues, but has already shown enough to have the Stamford Bridge fans excited.

Spanish international winger Mata started his career with Real Madrid B, then spent four successful years with Valencia before joining Chelsea last month.

In his first appearance for the club, Mata came off the bench and pounced on a Ritchie De Laet error to seal a 3-1 Premier League win over Norwich City.

Mata followed up his scoring debut with a fantastic performance in the 2-1 win at Sunderland. Mata was a constant thorn in the side of Sunderland, and the fulcrum of most Chelsea attacks.

Mata has now added his first Champions League goal in what has been a flying start to his Stamford Bridge career. Much of the criticism surrounding Chelsea has been an over-reliance on an aging and slow paced ‘old guard’ that includes John Terry and Frank Lampard.

Players such as Mata, with a burst of speed and quick feet on the ball render that criticism false. In addition, Daniel Sturridge and Romelu Lukaku mean that the future is bright in regards to attacking football at the Bridge.

Chelsea’s bright start to this season has been somewhat lost in the shadows of the awesome form of the two Manchester clubs. Forecasts are already coming in around the country that the Premier League trophy is certain to end up in Manchester at the end of this season.

However, players like Juan mean that unbeaten Chelsea may have a say in the Mata yet.

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