Michael Essien captained a youthful Chelsea to their first defeat in the pre-season as they lost 3-1 to full strength Ajax Amsterdam at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Le Bison played his first game for the Blues in six months in a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Underhill on Saturday.
Chelsea went into the game with only John Mikel Obi and Michael Essien as members from the regular side. Ross Turnbull stepped in for the injured Petr Cech while 18-year-old Jeffery Bruma occupied the vacated slot left by Brazilian centre-half Alex.
Chelsea dominated play from the start and looked comfortable in the driving seat. However, a wicked deflection gifted the home side the lead just after six minutes. A Christian Eriksen's cross from the right deflected the unfortunate Jeffery Bruma and went past Turnbull for the opener.
The Blues responded in a rather more calm fashion. It took more patience and perspicacity for the visitors to grab the equaliser. Franco Di Santo received a well tailored pass from Mikel in the Ajax goal area after 25 minutes. The Argentine was outmuscled in a challenge but the ball luckily fell on the path of the onrushing Daniel Sturridge whose first time left footer evaded World Cup silver winning goalie Maarten Stekelenburg, 1-1 the scoreline.
The travelling fans’ cheers were shot live as an unpardonable error on the side of Turnbull put the host back into the lead on the 27th minute. The former Aston Villa goalie failed to gather a long shot from his counterpart in the Ajax goal. The ball squirmed loose, leaving Siem De Jong to slot home into the empty net.
Martin Jol’s side penchant for beautiful passing game was in full flare as the Blues struggle to make an impact for the rest of the game.
The second half was quiet and uneventful. Essien the captain for the day was subbed on the 73rd minute as Jack Cork entered the fray.
Just when all seem to be gathering to a close, a young Korean deepened the woes of the frustrated Chelsea. Hyun Jun Suk slide home a Daley Blind's low cross to clinch a 3-1 win for Ajax.
There was little for Chelsea to make an impact as the match official brought proceedings to a close. Chelsea’s international pre-season tour sees them visit Frankfurt on Sunday August 1 to resume preparations for the coming season.
Jeffery Sarpong played full turtle for Ajax.
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