Timo Werner did everything in his powers to power Chelsea to a top finish in their Champions League group, but a late Zenit equalizer denied his efforts in a thrilling 3-3 draw in cold Saint Petersburg. The German striker, who is often ridiculed for his unexplainable misses in the Premier League, gave a man of the match performance but still left the pitch in dismay – Juventus top the group.Werner scored just 84 seconds into the game to give his team the lead, he later provided an assist for Romelu Lukaku to level before finally scoring another fine goal five minutes from time to win the match.Timo Werner against Zenit today:⚽️⚽️🅰️ pic.twitter.com/oZIaDt0wj8— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 8, 2021 Thomas Tuchel was forced into a string of changes to his team. There were rare starts for Bouna Sarr in defence, a strange pairing of Ross Barkley and Reece James in the middle of the park and forgotten man Kepa Arrizabalaga between the sticks.After the perfect start and the club’s quickest-ever Champions League goal, the Blues allowed the Russian team to get back into the game with two goals in space of three minutes. And it could have been worse. Apart from the first 84 seconds in which they allowed Werner to score, Zenit have been the better team for long periods of the game.The Russian champions were ramping up the pressure and realised how fragile Chelsea are out of possession tonight. The hosts deservedly scored two and it could be more. As it usually happens, especially against top-class teams, you get punished for your misses.A last-minute equaliser for Zenit means Champions League holders will be unseeded in the #UCL last 16 draw 😖 pic.twitter.com/IJNzJwfbpm— GOAL (@goal) December 8, 2021 Lukaku returned to action with a simple tap-in following a lovely move from Barkley and Werner. The German squared unselfishly for Romelu and it was 2-2.Chelsea continued to attack knowing that a draw wouldn’t be enough to keep the top spot and they got the reward against Sergei Semak’s inspired team. Another great team move was finished off with a firm low finish and there you have it – Werner suddenly looks worthy of the $58.3 million transfer fee Chelsea paid for him!Still, having in-form strikers isn’t enough if you concede three goals. Chelsea switched off in injury times and let the veteran striker Artem Dzyuba to bully them and head a hopeful ball into the path of Magomed Ozdoev who fired a rocket into the roof of Kepa’s net. It ended 3-3.🚨⚽️ | NEW: Leonardo Bonucci finding out the Chelsea result – Juventus have now topped the group pic.twitter.com/8z8kaz6q9c— Football For All (@FootballlForAll) December 8, 2021 Juventus had a much easier task against Malmo, the newly-crowned champions of Sweden. Moise Kean scored nice and early to put the Italian side in the driving seat. Their win over the Swedes was less than convincing with Massimiliano Allegri’s players missing too many chances, but ultimately it was enough to pip Chelsea to the top spot ahead of next year’s knockout stage.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEGroup H – matchday 6WednesdayZenit – Chelsea 3-3 (2-1)/Claudinho 38, Azmoun 41, Ozdoev 90+4 – Werner 2, 85, Lukaku 62/Juventus – Malmo 1-0 (1-0)/Kean 18/
