Kurt Zouma made his first appearance since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in February as 10-man Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw in Premier League 2 Division 1 by Derby County.
Zouma played the first 45 minutes, on the right side of a back three, and made a good early sliding challenge to deny Mason Bennett. But on half-time he conceded a penalty, with Callum Guy scoring with the rebound after Bradley Collins had saved Charles' Vernam's effort.
Zouma's replacement Dujon Sterling, celebrating his 17th birthday, was fouled for the penalty from which Jay Dasilva equalised and then Ike Ugbo put Chelsea ahead a minute later, only for captain Farrend Rawson to head Derby level from a corner.
Dasilva was then sent off for collecting his second yellow card for a foul on Kellan Gordon, but the Blues held on to claim a point.
Thanks for all the messages & support - good to be back on the pitch tonight 🙏🏾 @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/MFRi5j2V1L
— Kurt Zouma (@KurtZouma) October 24, 2016
See: Premier League 2 Division 1 table
INTERVIEW: @Farrendrawson1 spoke to us to give his assessment on #DCFCU23s' 'fair draw' with @ChelseaFC tonight: https://t.co/1GEjVIXHsl 📝 pic.twitter.com/t2a6bOGaGf
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) October 24, 2016
Chelsea's next fixture is at Everton on Monday, while Derby entertain Southampton at the iPro Stadium on the same night.
