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AFC Wimbledon
Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 19, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

2-3

Bennett (1'), Tubbs (40' pen.)
FT(HT: 2-0)
Terry (74', 90'), Salah (83')

Live Commentary: AFC Wimbledon 2-3 Chelsea - as it happened

Find out how Chelsea overturned a two-goal deficit to beat AFC Wimbledon in a pre-season friendly with Sports Mole's text updates.
2

Chelsea made the trip to AFC Wimbledon this afternoon for their second pre-season friendly of the summer.

By the break, the hosting League Two side were 2-0 up thanks to a header from Alan Bennett and a penalty converted by Matt Tubbs.

However, a John Terry brace and a strike from Mohamed Salah in the final 16 minutes secured the victory for Jose Mourinho's visitors.

You can find out how the match unfolded with Sports Mole's text updates below.


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Afternoon all. So, the World Cup may have finished less than a week ago, but thankfully club football is already back! There's plenty of pre-season action taking place today and here we will be concentrating on Chelsea's trip to AFC Wimbledon.

Of course, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has spent big this summer on three players that were previously based in La Liga. Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis have all arrived at Stamford Bridge, but unfortunately, none of those will be on show today. The first two have been granted extended leave following their exploits at the World Cup with Spain, while Brazilian full-back Luis only finalised his switch yesterday.

Nevertheless, there are still some big names in the Chelsea starting lineup, mixed in with some younger players...

CHELSEA XI: Schwarzer; Aina, Zouma, Christensen, Ake; Van Ginkel, Matic; Salah, Baker, Swift; Bamford

CHELSEA SUBS: Beeney, Ivanovic, Chalobah, Terry, Dasilva, Romeu, Houghton, Boga, Brown, Solanke

The experience in that side is being provided by the likes of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, as well as January signings Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah. Marco van Ginkel continues his recovery from a serious knee injury with another outing, while new arrival Kurt Zouma is given his first start at centre-back. England fans will also be pleased to see youngsters Patrick Bamford and Lewis Baker given another chance to impress.

It's also a predominantly youthful bench at Mourinho's disposal, with defenders John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic thrown in for good measure! Both of those scored as substitutes against Wycombe on Wednesday night.

And here is how the hosting Dons will begin this fixture...

AFC WIMBLEDON XI:Shea; Fuller, Smith, Bennett, Frampton; Bulman, Francomb, Moore, Rigg; Tubbs, Akinfenwa

AFC WIMBLEDON SUBS: Worner, Pell, Azeez, Sainte-Luce, Kennedy, Arthur, Beere, Nightingale, Jacquart.

This afternoon the Chelsea rearguard will be up against the imposing physical presence that is Adebayo Akinfenwa, who will be partnered up front by Bournemouth loanee Matt Tubbs. Having started the defeat to Margate among the substitutes, the likes of Barry Fuller, Dannie Bulman and Sammy Moore have also been given starts.

Here's a post from the official Chelsea Twitter page made around 20 minutes ago:



Only a couple of minutes left until we get underway at Kingsmeadow. Storms had been forecast, but right now it's a pleasant afternoon in Kingston upon Thames.

KICKOFF! Hosting Wimbledon, attacking from left to right in this first half, get us underway. Chelsea, meanwhile, will be playing in an all-yellow strip.

GOAL! AFC WIMBLEDON 1-0 CHELSEA (BENNETT)

Well, that's some start from Wimbledon! Just 40 seconds are on the clock as veteran defender Bennett rises above Christensen to head beyond Schwarzer with the aid of the post. The Chelsea goalkeeper will feel that he probably should have done better there, but that won't bother the home side!

Chelsea have seen a lot of the ball since falling behind, but their passing in key areas has been rather poor. Mourinho will be wanting much more from his players.

All of a sudden, Wimbledon have enjoyed a spell in possession. Former Chelsea trainee Sammy Moore is playing well in the centre of midfield. The 26-year-old is certainly comfortable with the ball at his feet and isn't being rushed.

SHOT! More positive play from the League Two side as Francomb picks up possession inside the Chelsea half and drives forward. His shot from 25 yards out is lacking the necessary accuracy to trouble Schwarzer, but it's a good run and effort all the same.

It would seem that Chelsea coach Rui Faria is not overly fussed about this game. The camera has just cut to the Chelsea bench and he is busy texting away on his mobile phone!

One thing that Wimbledon have done brilliantly so far is getting bodies behind the ball. On a few occasions Chelsea have worked the ball up to the home side's penalty area, but then they've been met by a sea of blue that they have been unable to pass. Whether they can keep that workrate up for 90 minutes, we shall see.

For the first time today, Wimbledon goalkeeper James Shea has touched the ball! It's a clever lofted pass from Boga, but as Bamford prepares to pounce, Shea races off his line to punch clear. Smart work from the Wimbledon stopper.



New Chelsea signing Zouma hasn't had much to do so far, but he's certainly shown just how quick he is. Moments ago it appeared that he was under pressure to make a clearance, but his pace allowed him to shepherd the ball out of play for a goal kick instead.

Mourinho has just sent virtually all of his substitutes out to warm-up down the touchline. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Chelsea boss make a number of changes at the break, which isn't far away.

PENALTY TO AFC WIMBLEDON!

GOAL! AFC WIMBLEDON 2-0 CHELSEA (TUBBS, PEN)

Well, well - it may only be a pre-season friendly, but this is certainly a turn up for the books. It's a certain penalty as Zouma bundles over Tubbs inside the area. Had this been an official fixture, the Chelsea centre-back would probably have been sent off because he was the last defender. Nevertheless, Tubbs steps up to take the resultant kick and although Schwarzer guesses correctly, he cannot get near the Wimbledon striker's powerful effort.

CHANCE! Nathan Ake has just summed up Chelsea's first half performance. Matic picks him out inside the area all alone, but the defender is caught in two minds as whether to cross or shoot. In the end, as the angle narrows, he can only stab a shot into the side netting.

HALF-TIME: AFC WIMBLEDON 2-0 CHELSEA

It may only be a pre-season friendly and the result doesn't ultimately matter, but Mourinho is bound to be disappointed with what he saw during that 45 minutes. His side haven't done enough out there and have barely called Shea into action. Don't be surprised to see changes during the break.

In contrast, Neal Ardley will be delighted. His side deserve to be in front and have defended brilliantly. They've also been comfortable in possession, which will probably be the most pleasing aspect for the Wimbledon boss.

There are quite a few Chelsea players going through their paces right now. Terry and Ivanovic are likely to come on, with the impressive Izzy Brown, who scored twice against Wycombe, adding some flair further forward.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Chelsea, who have made a host of changes during the break, get the second 45 minutes off and running.

The Chelsea team for this second half reads: Schwarzer; Ivanovic, Chalobah, Terry, Da Silva; Romeu, Van Ginkel; Salah, Baker, Brown; Solanke - only Schwarzer, Van Ginkel and Salah remain from the first half. As for Wimbledon, goalscorer Bennett has been replaced by Will Nightingale.

SAVE! Already that's better from Chelsea as Salah floats a teasing cross into the Wimbledon area. Baker rises above his marker to head goalwards, but Shea does well to dive and hold the ball at the first attempt.

CHANCE! Chelsea youngster Brown should be celebrating his third goal of the week. Salah, who has come alive in the second half, crosses towards the back post for Brown, but he cannot keep his header down and the ball flies well over the crossbar.

It really has been much better from Chelsea in this second half and in particular Salah, who looks lively down the right flank. Wimbledon are struggling to contend with the Egyptian.

To be fair to Wimbledon, they've weathered the storm that came their way early in this second half. They are now playing some decent football without testing Schwarzer in the Chelsea net.

As Wimbledon boss Ardley rings the changes, the Chelsea fans behind the dugouts let off a flair which covers some of the pitch in blue smoke! It's taking some time to clear as well!

All those changes that have been made have stunted this game somewhat. There is no flow to proceedings, which will suit Wimbledon who right now look as though they are going to hold on to claim the win here. It may only be a friendly, but this will be a big result for the Dons.

AFC WIMBLEDON 2-1 CHELSEA (TERRY)

Just as I say that Wimbledon are holding out for the victory, the deficit is halved! It's Terry again, who is having a prolific pre-season right now. The skipper darts towards the near post and guides a header into the net. Trademark Terry.

Sainte-Luce has come on for Wimbledon and is causing a few problems down the left flank to Chelsea. He's got plenty of pace and looks like he has plenty of skill.

GOAL! AFC WIMBLEDON 2-2 CHELSEA (SALAH)

And Chelsea are level! It's a really good chipped pass into the area from Baker for Salah, who controls the ball instantly. Then, as Shea approaches, he's able to guide his shot into the bottom corner of the net. That's a really neat finish from Chelsea's best player in this second half.

It's Chelsea that are pushing forward with greater intent for the winning goal, but the clock is against them. They seem to be trying to get the ball into Salah's feet whenever possible.

AFC WIMBLEDON 2-3 CHELSEA (TERRY)

There is that winning goal and it comes from Terry, who has his third goal in two pre-season outings! It comes from another corner and once again he gets across his marker to nod in Baker's cross. Shea in the Wimbledon goal is understandably frustrated with his defenders.

FULL TIME: AFC WIMBLEDON 2-3 CHELSEA

So, after a first half to forget, Chelsea battle back well to defeat AFC Wimbledon 3-2 in the London sunshine. The half-time changes made a big difference and it also brought the best out of Salah. As for Wimbledon, their manager Ardley can be pleased with what he see from his team. They were a little lax defensively, but on the whole, they more than held their own.

That's all we have time for from Kingsmeadow. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looks on prior to kick-off in the Champions League semi-final first leg match against Atletico Madrid on April 22, 2014
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