The run-up to Chelsea's trip to Israel had been dominated by talk of possible trouble, but few had expected such problems on the field. Two goals in the final five minutes condemned Claudio Ranieri's 10 men to a defeat they could scarcely complain about.
Having had Mario Melchiot sent off early in the second half, Chelsea survived several scares before Shimon Gershon scored from the spot after John Terry handled and Sergei Kleschenko headed the second in the final minute of injury-time.
Chelsea managed not a meaningful shot on target.
One Hapoel player had said beforehand that "after hearing that London and Liverpool were under threat of anthrax, we may be frightened to travel to the away leg". But it is safe to assume they will come in the hope of finishing the job.
A minute's silence before kick-off offered a reminder of the problems in the region which contributed to six Chelsea players opting to stay at home.
Fans stood in memory of Rehavam Zeevi, the tourism minister who was assassinated by a Palestinian terror group on Wednesday.
In response, Israeli tanks had rolled into Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank, killing a 10-year-old girl. The tension had not been apparent in Tel Aviv, though, and the Hapoel fans were in excited mood long before kick-off, creating a lively atmosphere.
Chelsea's players had made a point of acknowledging the home supporters before they began their warm-up, drawing applause in response. Chelsea had two notable debutants in Mark Bosnich, playing his first game for 18 months, and the 17-year-old defender Joel Kitamirike.
CHELSEA (4-4-2): Bosnich; Melchiot, Terry, Kitamirike, Babayaro; Stanic, Lampard, Jokanovic, Zenden (Dalla Bona, 56); Zola, Hasselbaink (Forssell, 81).
HAPOEL TEL AVIV (4-4-2): Elimelech; Bachar, Domb, Gershon, Antebi; Onishenko, Abuksis, Almai, Pishont; Osterc, Klashchenko.
Referee: D van Egmond (Holland)
