Ranieri fears Chelsea exit

Tel Aviv's captain Gershon hugs keeper Elimelech

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri fears his Chelsea side are on the way out of the Uefa Cup following a second round, first leg, defeat by Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel.

Chelsea were beaten 2-0 and had defender Mario Melchiot sent-off for kicking out at Shimon Gershon.

Gershon went on to open the scoring in the 89th minute and Sergei Klashenco added a second for the home side in injury time.

After the late double blow, Ranieri admitted he is not holding out much hope of Chelsea reaching the third round.

I don't want to talk too much about the players that stayed at home

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri

"It will be very difficult to stay in the Uefa Cup," said Ranieri.

"It is not so bad if it is just one goal but two makes it very difficult.

"It was very incredible in the second half when it was 10 against 11, we played well and had chances to score.

"In the first half I felt we had all the possession but did not create the chances."

Chelsea were without six players who chose not travel to Israel, including Emmanuel Petit and Graeme Le Saux.

Marcel Desailly also failed to travel, but he was troubled by an Achilles injury that makes him doubtful for the visit to Leeds.

Ranieri added: "The team gets used to playing with more or less the same players and that has not been possible.

"I don't want to talk too much about the players that stayed at home and I was hoping to use this as a chance to give some young players their debut."

Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dror Kashtan was understandably delighted by his team's success.

The players have not only shown courage and professionalism

Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dror Kashtan

He said: "As an Israeli citizen and a coach of Israeli football this is one of the greatest moments of Israeli football."

The match was preceded by a minute's silence for the Israeli tourism minister who was killed on Wednesday.

Kashtan continued: "This is a peaceful country in which sport can endeavour and give a lot of joy to this community.

"There is nothing like spirit to bridge the political gap and give confidence to football players but one of the things you have to be equipped with is courage.

"The players have not only shown courage and professionalism but shown to European football and sports fans that there is great football in Israel and that one can play with full security in a peaceful environment."