Chelsea salvages 4-4 draw after Ajax surrenders 3-goal lead

Substitute Reece James completed an improbable comeback for Chelsea against Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday as the host came from three goals down to draw 4-4 after the Dutch team was reduced to nine men.

Ajax was 4-1 up at Stamford Bridge after 55 minutes, but Chelsea pulled a goal back in the 63rd before Daley Blind and Joel Veltman were both sent off in a sequence that completely changed the game.

Chelsea was also awarded a penalty for handball by Veltman — which led to his second booking — and Jorginho made it 4-3 with his second spot kick of the game.

Chelsea's Reece James, right, celebrates his side's fourth goal with his teammates during the group H Champions League soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

James equalized with a low show from a rebound in the 74th to complete the comeback, and Chelsea even thought it had scored a late winner through Cesar Azpilicueta. However, the goal was ruled out for a handball on Tammy Abraham after a video review.

Abraham's own goal had given Ajax the lead before Jorginho equalized with his first penalty. Quincy Promes put Ajax in front with a header, while another own goal by Kepa Arrizabalaga and Donny van de Beek's strike gave Ajax a three-goal lead.

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Ajax's Lisandro Martinez, right, and Chelsea's Jorginho fight for the ball during the group H Champions League soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

Referee Gianluca Rocchi, left, discusses with Ajax players during the Champions League, group H, soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax, at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoIan Walton)

Referee Gianluca Rocchi shows a red card to Ajax's Daley Blind during the group H Champions League soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

Referee Gianluca Rocchi shows a red card to Ajax's Daley Blind during the group H Champions League soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

Chelsea's Jorginho celebrates after scoring his side's third goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League, group H, soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax, at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoIan Walton)

Chelsea's head coach Frank Lampard gives instructions to his players during the group H Champions League soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)

Ajax's goalkeeper Andre Onana, right, makes save during the group H Champions League soccer match between Chelsea and Ajax at Stamford Bridge in London, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)