UCL: Chelsea cruise to win over AC Milan
Chelsea 3 - 0 AC Milan
This was an even more comfortable win for the Blues than the scoreline suggests.
Graham Potter made two changes to his side, with Jorginho and Kai Havertz missing out due to slight injury problems, but both were okay for a place on the bench.
Edouard Mendy returned among the substitutes, as Kepa Arrizabalaga continued in goal. Kalidou Koulibaly came into the defence to join Wesley Fofana and Thiago Silva in a back three.
After a couple of close calls, it was midway through the first half that the breakthrough arrived. Thiago Silva quickly forced a save and a block when getting his head to a series of set-pieces, but on the third occasion Milan couldn't clear and Fofana was in the right place to put the ball in the net after a scramble around the penalty spot.
Mason Mount thought he had made it two soon afterwards with a lovely chip over the keeper, but it was disallowed for offside.
The home side pulled away to safety in the second half, though, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang outfoxed returning former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori at the near post to turn in Reece James' cross, and then James found the net himself by smashing into the roof of the net from close range after being played in by Raheem Sterling to put the result beyond any doubt.
Defeat in London.#CHEACM #UCL #SempreMilan @oppoitalia pic.twitter.com/P5mAPlLws6
— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 5, 2022
The new Chelsea?
After a frustrating draw against Red Bull Salzburg and a late win at Crystal Palace, This win over AC Milan offered a promising glimpse of what may lie ahead. The performance suggested that the blueprint will could be an effective one as they try to overcome the inconsistent early season form that caused Thomas Tuchel to be sacked.
AC Milan reaction
The highlights
Did you miss the match? Check out the highlights in the video below.
One Chelsea fan commented: "Our best performance in a while man, so happy that we got this much-needed win. Love this club!"
