A Gary Cahill goal has given Chelsea a 1-0 lead in their Champions League clash at Maccabi Tel Aviv this evening.
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The hosts made a bright start to the match, as Dor Peretz headed wide from a Tal Ben Haim II cross, before Eli Dasa missed the target from inside the Chelsea penalty area.
After a sluggish start Chelsea grew into the game, with Cesar Azpilicueta dragging an effort narrowly wide after some good work from Oscar, while Willian teed up Cesc Fabregas outside the penalty box, but his effort went well over the bar.
Chelsea took a deserved lead on 20 minutes through Cahill, who rose highest at a Willian corner to head straight at Maccabi Tel Aviv keeper Predrag Rajkovic, only for the England centre-back to hit the rebound into the net.
The visitors took control of proceedings after taking the lead, with Diego Costa and Oscar both missing the target, and Maccabi Tel Aviv's task was made more difficult on 40 minutes when former Blues centre-back Tal Ben Haim I kicked out at Diego Costa following a tackle - earning the veteran defender a red card.
Stephen Topping
