DONETSK, Ukraine - Holders Chelsea's eight-match unbeaten run in the Champions League came to an unceremonious end after goals by Alex Teixeira and Fernandinho led classy Shakhtar Donetsk to a 2-1 win in a Uefa Champions League match last night.
The Londoners, with John Terry back as captain after being banned at the weekend and Frank Lampard making his 100th European appearance, were up against it from the moment Teixeira pounced on a loose ball to score with a low shot in the third minute.
Petr Cech kept the champions in the game with a string of fine saves before Eden Hazard needlessly gave the ball away in midfield to Luiz Adriano and he streaked clear to set up Fernandinho for another low strike in the 52nd minute.
Brazilian Oscar pulled one back for Chelsea near the end after a right-wing surge by defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Shakhtar's win took them to the top of Group E with seven points from three games, three points ahead of Chelsea.
- Elsewhere, Javier Hernandez scored twice to rescue Manchester United as the Group H leaders stormed back from two goals down to defeat Braga 3-2 and move to the brink of reaching the Champions League knockout stage.
Braga had stunned their illustrious opponents with two goals in the first 20 minutes at Old Trafford. Brazilian Alan headed home inside 90 seconds and the Portuguese side crafted a second as Alan again slotted past David De Gea after fine work by Eder.
United's Mexico striker Hernandez quickly replied from Shinji Kagawa's cross, Jonny Evans equalised from close range in the 62nd and Hernandez headed the winner 15 minutes from time.
lJordi Alba scored with almost the last kick of the match as Barcelona snatched a stirring 2-1 comeback win at home to a battling Celtic.
The Scottish champions, who had never won in Spain in 12 previous attempts, took a shock 18th-minute lead at the Nou Camp through Giorgos Samaras.
Barca equalised when Andres Iniesta combined with Xavi and squeezed a shot just in the 45th minute.
lA late goal by Mirko Vucinic saved Juventus from an embarrassing defeat as they hit back to hold little-known Champions League debutants Nordsjaelland to a 1-1 draw.
Nordsjaelland's goal was scored by Mikkel Beckmann in the 50th minute.
lThomas Mueller's first-half penalty proved enough to secure Bayern Munich a 1-0 victory at Lille.
lSpartak Moscow beat Benfica 2-1, while Galatasaray played to a 1-all draw against CFR Cluj-Napoca in other matches played yesterday.
Champions Chelsea in shock 2-1 loss to Shaktar
DONETSK, Ukraine - Holders Chelsea's eight-match unbeaten run in the Champions League came to an unceremonious end after goals by Alex Teixeira and Fernandinho led classy Shakhtar Donetsk to a 2-1 win in a Uefa Champions League match last night.
The Londoners, with John Terry back as captain after being banned at the weekend and Frank Lampard making his 100th European appearance, were up against it from the moment Teixeira pounced on a loose ball to score with a low shot in the third minute.
Petr Cech kept the champions in the game with a string of fine saves before Eden Hazard needlessly gave the ball away in midfield to Luiz Adriano and he streaked clear to set up Fernandinho for another low strike in the 52nd minute.
Brazilian Oscar pulled one back for Chelsea near the end after a right-wing surge by defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Shakhtar's win took them to the top of Group E with seven points from three games, three points ahead of Chelsea.
Braga had stunned their illustrious opponents with two goals in the first 20 minutes at Old Trafford. Brazilian Alan headed home inside 90 seconds and the Portuguese side crafted a second as Alan again slotted past David De Gea after fine work by Eder.
United's Mexico striker Hernandez quickly replied from Shinji Kagawa's cross, Jonny Evans equalised from close range in the 62nd and Hernandez headed the winner 15 minutes from time.
lJordi Alba scored with almost the last kick of the match as Barcelona snatched a stirring 2-1 comeback win at home to a battling Celtic.
The Scottish champions, who had never won in Spain in 12 previous attempts, took a shock 18th-minute lead at the Nou Camp through Giorgos Samaras.
Barca equalised when Andres Iniesta combined with Xavi and squeezed a shot just in the 45th minute.
lA late goal by Mirko Vucinic saved Juventus from an embarrassing defeat as they hit back to hold little-known Champions League debutants Nordsjaelland to a 1-1 draw.
Nordsjaelland's goal was scored by Mikkel Beckmann in the 50th minute.
lThomas Mueller's first-half penalty proved enough to secure Bayern Munich a 1-0 victory at Lille.
lSpartak Moscow beat Benfica 2-1, while Galatasaray played to a 1-all draw against CFR Cluj-Napoca in other matches played yesterday.
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