Hello and welcome to live text commentary from the Europa League, where Chelsea travel to Sparta Prague to begin their campaign. The first leg of the last 32 match-up begins at 18:00 UK time.

TORRES! Half a chance on the counter-attack as Mata breaks and releases his compatriot. Torres tries to poke it but not enough conviction or power behind the finish.

Ivanovic has to give away a corner as Husbauer surges forward. The hosts are growing with confidence, and Chelsea are sluggish.

Krejci ushered out on the far side by Azpilicueta. So far the Spaniard has been one of the better players on the pitch for Chelsea.

Hazard surges forward at the other end, but that's a chance gone begging for Sparta Prague and that's still hanging over the play.

LAFATA! SHOULD BE 1-0 TO SPARTA! He was left on his own and when Mata deflected a shot into his path it should have been buried. Instead it was hooked wide.

Marin can't keep the ball in and concedes a throw on halfway.

Sparta Prague holding their own here. Chelsea look as if they could go up a gear or two, but haven't yet.

Snapshot from Krejci, curled from just otuside the area. Cech has to save, but it's a comfortable one at head height.

Krejci felled as he bursts into the box but the referee says Azpilicueta was blameless and waves play on.

Kadlec drops the ball back after a deft one-two, but Matejovsky's shot from just outside the area is skied over the bar.

Chelsea not exactly forcing the pace here - they seem happy to allow Sparta Prague the ball in their own half.

Svejdik ushers the Czechs out of their own half and spreads the play.

Nicely done from Bertrand, bursting down the left, to keep the ball in play, and he's strong enough to hold his marker off the ball and lay it back to Marin.

Chelsea have played just two matches in the Czech Republic (W1 D1) and are yet to concede a goal. (Opta)

Ivanovic calm under pressure from Lafata - he is running towards his own goal, but turns and clears with confidence.

The crowd excited as Zapotocny breaks forward on the right, but Chelsea's offside trap has come up trumps.

Lampard with a ball forward, but surprisingly aimless. Sparta back in possession.

Remember you can keep up with the latest scores from all the Europa League ties tonight as they happen.

Lampard again with a shot at goal, but that one's no danger for Vaclik. Sparta Prague rebuild slowly.

A warning for Chelsea there - the Blues got things right in the end against Wigan at the weekend but they are still fragile at the back.

CLOSE! LAFATA! Zapotocny plays in a whipped cross from deep on the right, and it opens up for Lafata to try a volley - he stretches for it and knocks it high, but the visitors were exposed there.