FC Basel Slays Chelsea 2-1 at Bridge; Messi’s Fourth Champions League Hat-trick in 4-0 Win Over Ajax

EFT Report: It was a bad opening Champions League night for Jose Mourinho as unfancied Swiss side FC Basel deservingly defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge ending the Blues’ impressive 13-match unbeaten run at home in European competition and along the way handing the ‘Special One’ his successive defeat. Oscar fired the hosts ahead in the 45th minute after a move that was started by Brazilian compatriot David Luiz but Basel equalized through Mohamed Salah’s curled left-foot shot in the 71 minute. As Chelsea pressed for all three points, gaps were left open; Basel took full advantage of the given space from a corner, Swiss international striker Marco Streller was allowed to muscle his way past Gary Cahill and Samuel Eto’o to glance home from close range in the 82 minute. Chelsea looked toothless in front of the goal, with Jose’s now preferred striker Samuel Eto still looking clue-less. This was Jose Mourinho’s second ever defeat at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile in Camp Nou, Lionel Messi once again took the centre stage as his fourth Champions League hat-trick helped FC Barcelona to a convincing 4-0 win over FC Ajax in their Group H opening match. Gerrad Pique netted the other goal for the Catalan’.

FC Basel Beat Chelsea 2-1 at Bridge

In other matches played, Arsene’s Gunners beat Marseille 2-1 with goals from Theo Walcott and in-form Aaron Ramsey. At Stadio San Paolo, new signing Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goal for his new club Napoli as Rafa Benitez's new-look side defeated last season's Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund 2-1. AC Milan beat Celtic 2-0 at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milano while Simeone's Atletico Madrid overcame Zenit St Petersburg 3-1 at Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid.