The whistle is blown without any injury time as the crowd reacts very happily. It ends Chelsea 2-0 Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge in the first friendly in eight years and the final preseason match for the English team. Diego Costa's early brace proved to be the difference, but it was evident on the pitch that Chelsea could be something special this season whereas much improvement will be needed for Sociedad, even if they won't often face an opponent quite this good. Thank you for joining us during the match!
89'
WHAT A SAVE! Zubikarai makes a stunning stop on Oscar's shot after Van Ginkel makes a tackle that leads to some great possession in the box. Willian, Salah, and Oscar trade possession before a shot from the latter is parried wide!
88'
A. Christensen enters the game and replaces J. Terry.
The pace of this game is almost entirely gone now, but Terry comes off to perhaps the loudest applause yet, as Andreas Christensen replaces the captain.
85'
Oscar gets on the end of a very good individual effort from Torres before firing over the bar. There may be another goal in this yet!
83'
Less than ten minutes to go here and the game has truly evened out, between all of the substitutions and Sociedad's desire to try not to end this without a goal.
82'
K. Zouma enters the game and replaces B. Ivanović.
M. van Ginkel enters the game and replaces N. Matić.
Mohamed Salah enters the game and replaces E. Hazard.
After a wild shot from the visitors goes wide, Ivanvovic is taken off for Kurt Zouma and Matic is taken off for Marco Van Ginkel.
80'
Mourinho's men are retaining possession here in a very calm manner, though it takes a well-timed tackle from Felipe Luis to ensure that Sociedad did not have an opportunity to shoot in the box. There's a sense here that the visitors however have not given up just yet!
78'
Castro again! Dani Estrada dinks a lovely ball over the Chelsea defence, and for one of the few times this entire match, Sociedad breach the backline. Castro races through and shoots towards Courtois' far post which the Belgian is able to stop.
76'
Castro makes a solo run on his own but is stopped before he can reach the box. Without more support from his teammates it would have taken something quite special to have turned that into a genuine chance.
75'
With fifteen minutes to go, Chelsea show no signs of abating their relentless attacks. Felipe Luis' cross is deflected out for a throw in that leads to more possession very high up the pitch. When Sociedad do foray forward, they are met by a wall of blue that forces them to turn over the ball.
Minute
Description
73'
A superb Felipe Luis cross finds Fernando Torres in the box - the forward squeezes between two defenders to get his head on it but fires over the bar!!
72'
Iker Hernández enters the game and replaces Sergio Canales.
Alain Oyarzun enters the game and replaces Rubén Pardo.
Pablo Hervías enters the game and replaces Xabi Prieto.
Yuri enters the game and replaces De la Bella.
The game takes a bit of a halt here as Sociedad makes a further three changes, which quickly run onto the pitch before Chelsea resume play and continue to press forward.
71'
M. Obi enters the game and replaces Cesc Fàbregas.
Fabregas comes off for Mikel to another round of loud applause from the home fans, who seem thrilled by both the performance and the quality of reinforcements the club has brought in this summer.
70'
Ruben Pardo tries his best to usher his side forward but it takes a poor clearance from Courtois to see Sociedad play the ball into the box- and even then, the Belgian makes no mistake the second time to easily collect it.
69'
Azpilicueta rifles a cross through the box but the ball is deflected out. Both sides have made substitutions but Chelsea have not really lost a step here as Sociedad are struggling to get a footing.
67'
G. Castro enters the game and replaces Agirretxe.
Matic is becoming more involved with the buildup play up front. Hazard jinxes his way through the box and dinks a pass towards Torres that's headed away. It's all Chelsea now!
66'
Dani Estrada enters the game and replaces Granero.
More changes underway for the visitors - among them sees Granero go off for Dani Estrada, as Mikel looks ready to come on for Chelsea.
64'
Was that a handball? Fabregas's shot goes off of Elustondo and out for a corner but the midfielder argues it was off his hand. The referee waves the accusation away and Chelsea's corner is headed out.
63'
Ohhh, that wasn't bad... Willian plays a long pass across the box to Hazard who very nearly is able to contort his legs onto it but finds it hit away at the last second.
62'
Oscar and Willian fail to pull off a quick return pass, losing possession to the visitors. Sociedad are nevertheless often found lacking in ideas and quality tonight.
61'
Fernando Torres enters the game and replaces Diego Costa.
Jose Mourinho counters those substitutions with one of his own: Diego Costa comes off to a standing ovation for Fernando Torres.
59'
Carlos Martínez enters the game and replaces Joseba Zaldúa.
Elustondo enters the game and replaces Bergara.
Very, very poor from the visitors who waste an opportunity to get the ball quickly down the flank as Canales' pass goes right out of bounds. Elustondo and Carlos Martinez come on immediately after for Joseba Zaldua and Bergara.
58'
Whistles from the crowd as Diego Costa is deemed to have handled the ball as Chelsea were constructing a solid attack. The ball looked to have struck his hand after bouncing off his leg as Sociedad take the free-kick quickly.
57'
The free-kick opportunity comes to nothing, as the ball swung into the box is easily cleared, although Chelsea are never out of possession for long in this match and soon press forward again.
56'
Oscar is taken down by Mikel Gonzalez, with the defender a step too slow to get to the ball. Chelsea now have a free kick on the left that they'll play into the box.
55'
So close! Agirretxe gets the ball on the edge of the box but is dispossed by Oscar before he can shoot. Chelsea immediately counter as Hazard squares it to Diego Costa, who fires just wide!
54'
A rare Sociedad foray into Chelsea's box is quickly forced back by the defence. The visitors still have the ball but simply cannot find a way through here.
52'
Willian's mishit pass nevertheless finds Fabregas deep in the visitor's territory. The former Barcelona player whips in a cross that cuts between the goalkeeper and defense before drifting out of play, but a run from the home side would have found that ball in a superb position.
50'
Canales tries a long pass towards Bergara up top but Chelsea's centre-backs cut it out easily. The home side quickly transitions to attack as Willian wins a throw-in deep in Sociedad's half.
49'
The home side are favouring buildup down their left flank, often looking for Felipe Luis as an outlet early this second half.
47'
Fantastic clearance from De la Bella to prevent a dangerous ball from finding Willian. Chelsea take the ensuing corner short before crossing it into the box, where it's cleared.
46'
Filipe Luís enters the game and replaces N. Aké.
César Azpilicueta enters the game and replaces G. Cahill.
Willian enters the game and replaces Ramires.
Oscar enters the game and replaces A. Schürrle.
Some changes have been made here as the second half kicks off: Azpilicueta, Willian, Felipe Luis and Oscar all on as Ivanovic moves to centre-back. Felipe Luis instantly gets involved with a cross into the box that fails to find Willian.
45'
Ake concedes a free-kick deep in Sociedad's half, which turns out to be the final meaningful action in the half. Chelsea head into the break with a two goal victory,
44'
Chelsea have a period of sustained possession on the outside right part of Sociedad's box but are unable to find the proper final pass.
42'
A very ambitious pass from Fabregas isn't far from finding Diego Costa's head! Zubikarai nevertheless is able to collect the ball before the former Atletico Madrid man adds to his side's misery.
41'
Diego Costa, so often a thorn in the side of Sociedad's defence, overdoes his dribbling and loses possession. Chelsea win it back quickly but the visitors scramble frantically to clear the ball up the pitch.
39'
Sociedad win a free-kick now after a Ramires foul. Sociedad play it up the pitch and force Courtois off of his line quickly to gather the ball.
38'
Ruben Pardo slides into Eden Hazard as the Belgian danced his way down the right flank, giving Chelsea a free-kick. Schurrle plays it deep into the box and Terry plays it back across goal before it's cleared out.
36'
Substitute Mikel Gonzalez shoots from about 25 yards out, wide on the right, forcing Courtois into a diving save.
35'
Chelsea mount a sustained assault around the Sociedad box. The ball is quickly scrambled away from Hazard but Ake's effort soon after threatens to be the third goal but is likewise stopped.
34'
Diego Costa is brought down just outside the box, setting up another fantastic opportunity for Chelsea to add to their lead. Hazard sneaks a ball through the wall that Zubikarai just manages to get down and parry!
32'
Even as Sociedad complete a flowing team passing sequence, Chelsea are able to reset themselves in defensive positionings quickly and prevent any kind of opportunity from arising.
31'
Sergio Canales, clearly frustrated with his side's lack of firepower so far, tries a effort from a long way out that goes a long way over.
30'
Sociedad's most dangerous man up front, Canales, dances to the byline and plays a cross in that Granero tamely loops towards the goal. Courtois initially rushes forward but tracks back in time to smother the effort.
29'
A quick interception from Ake, a few passes across the field, and Ivanovic plays in a cross that Zubikarai easily catches.
28'
Inigo Martinez takes two attempts to play the ball out of his defense and Sociedad work the ball forward until another mishit pass on the flanks turns the ball over. Their work out wide has stifled them so far in this match.
27'
Ivanovic intercepts a tantalizing ball played down the flank, which allows his goalkeeper to throw the ball forward. Chelsea are maintaining possession with Fabregas in a deep role helping to set the tempo.
26'
The visitors are finally able to hang onto the ball for extended periods of time but are having trouble penetrating dangerous areas with it. Chelsea don't seem to mind sitting back and soaking up the minimal amounts of pressure.
24'
Diego Costa looks to complete his hattrick with a tame effort from outside the box. It's stopped easily by Zubikarai.
23'
Sociedad's first free-kick of the match is awarded roughly twelve yards outside of Chelsea's box. Canales plays it into the box and Courtois catches it without fuss.
22'
Fabregas fires over the bar from inside the box but was in an offside position from Schurrle's fantastic reverse pass.
21'
Chelsea press the ball forward and work it around with deft touching and passes but are unable to get a shot off. It looks far too easy for the home side when they want to go forward and Sociedad will have to improve quickly before this scoreline runs away from them entirely.
19'
Ohhh and that was Sociedad's best chance yet! Granero finishes off a good team move - initially a counter that became a little more ponderous before finding the midfielder near the box - with a shot that dips just over Courtois' outstretched left hand and the corner.
17'
Sociedad work the ball down the left flank and fire in a cross right to Chelsea's goalkeeper. The visitors are now creating tenative half-chances up front but nothing that has been a concern for Mourinho's defence yet.
15'
An overhit pass asks too much of De la Bella and begins a spell whether neither side sustain possession.
13'
Canales is at the heart of a good team move for Sociedad that just gets cut out by Chelsea's defence on the edge of the box. The home side looks to counter but settles for ball retention under heavy pressure.
12'
Mikel González enters the game and replaces Ansotegi.
An early subsitution here as Ansotegi looks to be struggling with a niggling injury and comes off for Mikel Gonzalez immediately before Schurrle's corner hits the side netting.
10'
Now that is much better from the vistors, playing a deep cross into the box that forces Ivanovic to make a somewhat awkward defensive header away. It looks like it may be out for a corner but the goal-kick is awarded to Chelsea.
9'
Fabregas tries a through ball in behind the defence for Schurrle, but Bergara does enough to hold up the German's run and allows Zubikarai to collect. The ball is quickly played up the pitch by the visitors and ends up harmlessly in Courtois' hands.
7'
Diego Costa has scored a goal for Chelsea!
DIEGO COSTA GETS HIS SECOND!!!! THIS IS A DREAM DEBUT AT STAMFORD BRIDGE FOR THE FORWARD! Schurrle took a shot from just at the edge of the box that beats the keeper and ricochets off of the post. Costa was onside and just tapped it in for one of the easier finishes he'll get in his career!
5'
Chelsea have a free-kick just outside the box. Schurrle whips it in but it's easily headed out. The visitor's defense is able to contain the ball and is now slowly attempting to build up play from the back.
3'
Chelsea nearly double the lead! Ivanovic makes a superb run down the flank to square the ball for Ramires, who fires a nice dink just wide of the near post. Sociedad's defense is looky quite shaky at the moment.
1'
Diego Costa has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by Ramires.
AND CHELSEA HAVE SCORED ALREADY! Diego Costa slots in at the far post after a clever pass played in from Ramires into the box. It's a dream start for the home side at the Bridge and Sociedad have been caught flat right out the gate!
As for the team news, it appears Jose Mourinho has a nearly full squad at his disposal, with Thibaut Courtois recovering from a knock and starting tonight. Didier Drogba looks to be the only absentee. The English club has asked fans to arrive early for the game as the players are being brought out onto the pitch for an introduction.
Real Sociedad are the first visitors to play at a pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge in 8 years. They'll be without Mexican striker Carlos Vela who has been struggling with a foot injury throughout the summer.
This summer's transfer window is a tale of opposites for these two clubs. Chelsea, having finished third last season, brought in Diego Costa, Francesc Fabregas, and Filipe Luis; recalled Thibaut Courtois from loan; and oversaw the return of Didier Drogba in a serious push to fight for the league title this season. Contrastingly, Real Sociedad's seventh placed finish last season may be tough to repeat as the side has lost key players to other Spanish sides, with Antoine Griezmann going to Atletico Madrid and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to Barcelona.
Jose Mourinho's men have endured a mixed pre-season, keeping just one clean sheet in six matches and losing 3-0 to Werder Bremen but beating five other sides this summer. Perhaps the highlight of the offseason on the pitch was last week's sensational solo strike from Fabregas, an early indication perhaps that a return to English football was just what the former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder needed.
The teams tonight have been announced! Chelsea will start with a rather strong starting eleven: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Ake, Fabregas, Matic, Ramires, Hazard, Schurrle, Costa.
And Jagoba Arrasate's lineup for tonight: Zubikarai, Zaldua, Ansotegi, Inigo Martinez, De la Bella, Markel, R. Pardo, Granero, X. Prieto, Canales, Agirretxe.
We're just minutes away from kick-off now. One of the issues Mourinho's had to deal with this preseason is the absence of many of his sides' biggest stars due to the World Cup; with six days to go until their Premier League season begins proper, tonight's match is a fine opportunity for many of these starters to get crucial minutes learning this season's system and their new teammates' style.
The teams are out on the pitch at Stamford Bridge to a very loud applause and kick-off is just moments away!
Hello and welcome to our live match coverage of Chelsea vs Real Sociedad! For the home side, this match serves as the final friendly before the beginning of their Barclay's Premier League season next Monday, away to Burnley. The visitors will see this as a vital warmup in their penultimate friendly before a vital Europa League playoff against Krasnodar.
Jose Mourinho should be very happy with his side after that half. Chelsea have been entirely comfortable since their flying start and a brace from Diego Costa. Real Sociedad will absolutely need to work on creating opportunities more quickly and passing more creatively in the midfield.
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