Chelsea vs Borussia Monchengladbach: Ross Barkley penalty caps fine Blues comeback to round off pre-season
Frank Lampard’s side have finished their preparations for the new season with Manchester United first up next weekend
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Ross Barkley's penalty capped a fine second-half comeback by Chelsea to earn a deserved 2-2 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach to end their pre-season unbeaten under Frank Lampard.
The Blues were stunned early by the Germans, whose high press forced errors, with Alassane Plea burying from range to break the deadlock after Tammy Abraham's miss from close-range.
It was two before the break when Jonas Hofmann was left all alone in behind and he stabbed underneath Kepa to convert.
But Lampard's side remained calm and plotted their way back into the game in the second half, with Mateo Kovacic tumbling to the turf and earning a generous penalty.
After several misses Abraham, with Barkley not on the pitch at this stage, grabbed the ball and duly halved the deficit.
Barkley then came on and after a terrible miss of his own, received the chance to level the contest once Mason Mount was hacked down following a delicious Cruyff turn.
Barkley coolly converted to bring their preparation for the Premier League opener at Old Trafford to a close.
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N’Golo Kante should be involved, with Lampard providing an update this week.
“The signs are good. It was certainly the right decision for him to come home early from Japan and get the treatment he had,” Lampard said.
“He’s dipped into training with us over the last couple of days and I expect him to be training through this week to the point that he can be fully involved at the start of next week. There’s a lot more he needs to do physically without us but we’re hopeful.”
Meanwhile Carlo Cudicini has become the loan player technical coach after Eddie Newton's promotion to the first team as part of Lampard's backroom staff.
"I'm really looking forward to this new challenge in my coaching career," said Cudicini. "The loan programme is an important part of our development pathway for young players at the club and this is an exciting opportunity to work with the next generation of talented players."
Mount with a great chance!
He twists and turns to find the space, but he shoots when a pass might have been better.
It's straight at Sommer, nice play though.
GOAL! Gladbach 2-0 Chelsea
Gladbach double their lead through Hofmann, and it's shambolic defending from the Blues.
After being sent through on goal with time and space, Hofmann pokes the ball under Kepa and almost looks embarrassed at the ease of that goal.
CHANCE!
Big chance for Mason Mount, who side-foot volleys from close range at Sommer.
He spills it, but gathers at the second time of asking. Big chance.
CHANCE!
Abraham in on goal, but receives a shove just as he's about to shoot.
He can't direct it past Sommer and the chance goes begging.
Bright from the Blues in this half though.
GOAL! Gladbach 2-1 Chelsea
Mateo Kovacic is hacked down inside the box and the Blues have a penalty.
Tammy Abraham picks up the ball with Ross Barkley not on the pitch, and he buries it low into the corner.
A tidy finish for the striker after missing a couple of decent chances previously.
GOAL! Gladbach 2-2 Chelsea
Mount is taken out and it's a clear penalty after a lovely Cruyff turn.
Barkley dispatches the penalty with ease to reply to Abraham's well-taken spot kick.
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