(Video): Third time lucky for Chelsea as Blues force in set piece to take 1-0 lead over Barca | OneFootball

Chelsea lead at Stamford Bridge!

The Blues have had two goals ruled out for offside already, but this one counts. Barcelona have been struggling to defend us from set piece all night, and eventually the pressure told. Chelsea played this one short, but that just gave them a chance to play Marc Cucurella in down the right to the byline.

He pulled it back across goal, and Pedro Neto managed to get a touch which was deflected in off Jules Kounde.

Barcelona had a clear cut chance which Ferran Torres somehow contrived to miss, but otherwise the Blues have been on top. They look too hot to handle and have already broken the Barca high line a couple of times.

You can see the goals in the clips embedded here:

[Footage from TNT Sport]

[Footage from Bein Sport]

Chelsea in fine positions – but warnings have been made

Pedro Neto flicks the ball in off Jules Kounde.

Chelsea have made a really bright start to this one, and we hope they can keep this tempo up. It’s been a balanced game in open play, but we look so dominant physically and at set pieces. If we can make another one count, we’ll be in a great position.

Still, we’re getting cut apart on the counter too easily, and need to make sure we sort that out before it costs us. This is a huge 3 points sitting in front of us now, and we’re in the sort of mood where we can really believe we’ll make it ours.

In other news…

January transfer silly season has started with a bang – a very unlikely story of double interest in two Porto players at the same time.

There’s even more slightly unlikely transfer news involving Pablo Barrios out there right now – you can check out the sources here and see what you think.