Batshsuayi's late goal gives Chelsea 1-0 win over Ajax

Substitute Michy Batshuayi scored a late winner Wednesday as Chelsea rode its luck to beat Ajax 1-0 in the Champions League and throw Group H wide open.

The Belgium striker fired in off the underside of the bar from close range in the 86th, 15 minutes after coming on as a replacement for Tammy Abraham. Another of coach Frank Lampard's subs, Christian Pulisic, provided the cross.

The result left both teams on six points after three matches. Valencia would also move to six points if it wins at Lille later in the evening.

Chelsea players celebrate after Michy Batshuayi scored his side's opening goal during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

It was another late Champions League stinger at the hands of a London team for Ajax, which lost the semifinal last season to Tottenham thanks to a Lucas Moura goal deep in stoppage time.

Ajax had come close to taking the lead earlier, but Quincy Promes had a goal disallowed for offside after a VAR review and Edson Alvarez hit the post with a diving header as the Dutch team failed to score after recording 3-0 wins in its first two Group H matches.

Before Batshuayi's late strike, Mason Mount had the only serious chance for Chelsea with a low shot in the 14th minute that forced a good save from Andre Onana at his near post.

Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi, right, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

Chelsea's win was built on its energetic pressing, which often knocked Ajax off its usual slick passing game.

Ajax was guilty of loose passes and giving the ball away in its own territory, particularly in the first half, but still managed to carve out the best of the few chances at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Two of Chelsea's young rising stars, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount caused Ajax problems on the left in the first half as defender Sergino Dest often pushed forward looking to attack.

Ajax's Quincy Promes, center, reacts after scoring his side's opening goal which was disallowed during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

But it was Ajax that had the ball in the net first, when Promes slid home a cross by Hakim Ziyech in the 35th minute only to have the effort ruled narrowly offside by the video assistant referee.

Promes was onside five minutes later when he took the ball at the end of a flowing Ajax move from right to left, but this time he was denied by a strong sliding block by Cesar Azpilicueta.

Alvarez came close to giving Ajax the lead after the break, but his diving header from a corner flashed across the face of the goal and deflected to safety off the far post.

Ajax's head coach Erik ten Hag gestures during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

Lampard brought on Batshuayi for the largely ineffective Abraham and Pulisic replaced Willian giving Chelsea fresh impetus in attack. Batshuayi spurned one great chance by firing over the bar before the two substitutes combined for the winner.

Pulisic dribbled past Dest, his United States teammate, before delivering a low cross into the box that Batshuayi coverted with his left foot, with the ball going in off the underside of the crossbar.

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Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi kicks the ball during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

CORRECTING CHELSEA PLAYER TO KURT ZOUMA - Ajax's goalkeeper Andre Onana blocks Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma's header during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

Chelsea's Jorginho, left, fights for the ball with Ajax's Sergino Dest during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)

Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, left, vie for the ball with Ajax's Quincy Promes during the group H Champions League soccer match between Ajax and Chelsea at the Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)