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Chelsea travelled to Amsterdam to take on Ajax in the Champions League, hoping to continue their unbeaten run in the competition this season.
The game promised plenty of goals but Chelsea managed just one as they registered a last-gasp 1-0 victory, courtesy a goal from substitute Michy Batshuayi.
Ajax had the ball in the back of the net through Quincy Promes in the first-half but the goal was disallowed after consultation with the Video Assistant Referee, as the Dutchman was adjudged to be millimetres offside.
Both sides refused to deviate from their game-plan and played free-flowing attacking football. The game was a competitive affair that could have gone either way.
Chelsea had a handful of chances to seal a crucial away victory but Frank Lampard's side weren't clinical enough in front of goal until Batshuayi produced the goods after coming on.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic went close to scoring but Batshuayi squandered the Blues' biggest chance, as he blasted the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat in the second half.
As the Blues piled on the pressure, they eventually found a breakthrough, Pulisic teeing up Batshuayi for a dramatic late winner.
The pair of substitutes combined to devastating effect as the former Dortmund man's pass was latched on to by Batshuayi.
By virtue of their 1-0 victory, Chelsea moved to the top of Group H and took a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages.
Lampard's side became the first team since Tottenham Hotspur to beat Ajax in Amsterdam and here we look at three reasons for their triumph.
#1 Christian Pulisic finally makes a defining contribution
After a slow start to his Chelsea career, Pulisic finally made a defining contribution for his new club as he provided the match-winning assist late in the game.
The American teed up Batshuayi from the right-flank for a late winner that put the Blues in the driving seat in Group-H.
Chelsea will hope for their big-money signing to come good for them this season as they aim to continue their solid start to the season.
#2 Frank Lampard's substitutes save the day
Chelsea struggled to put the ball in the back of the net despite creating a handful of chances and the game looked like it would drift towards a tame draw.
The Blues' goalscoring sensation Tammy Abraham failed to make an impression in the game and he was withdrawn in favour of Michy Batshuayi late in the second half, as was the case with Willian, who made way for Christian Pulisic.
The pair of substitutes wasted no time as they combined for the solitary goal of the game. Pulisic teed up Batshuayi with a neat pass from the left-wing and the Belgian striker made no mistake this time around, having missed a glorious opportunity moments earlier.
Chelsea took a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages with this crucial away victory and Frank Lampard's substitutions made the difference at the end of the day.
#3 Solid defensive display helps Chelsea register rare clean sheet away from home
Chelsea weathered the storm in the early stages of the season and in recent weeks, the feel-good factor has returned to Stamford Bridge.
Despite managing six consecutive wins in all competitions, the Blues have found clean sheets hard to come by. However, they managed to shut out an Ajax side that boasts some of the most potent attackers in world football.
The likes of Dusan Tadic, Hakim Ziyech and Quincy Promes were kept at bay by the Chelsea backline as the Blues left Amsterdam with a well deserved clean sheet.
Frank Lampard's side have developed a reputation of being a free-scoring outfit but their defensive frailties have cost them on multiple occasions this season.
In a tough away game, the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta and Fikayo Tomori in particular impressed as Chelsea registered a rare clean sheet away from home this season.
