The faltering Champions League campaign of Chelsea got off to a strong start at Stamford Bridge with a commanding 3-0 victory over AC Milan.
After losing at Dinamo Zagreb in Thomas Tuchel’s penultimate game as manager and drawing at home to Red Bull Salzburg on Graham Potter’s debut, the Blues entered the game at the bottom of what appeared to be a straightforward Group E.
The Italian champions, whom the hosts will meet at the San Siro in the rematch on Tuesday, will feel much worse about their chances of making it to the knockout rounds given that the hosts are only one point behind Salzburg in first place.
Wesley Fofana’s first goal since joining Chelsea from Leicester for £70 million gave Chelsea a deserving advantage at the break, and goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reece James leveled the score soon after the hour mark.
Fofana’s knee injury, which pulled the defender off the field in the first half and required him to depart the stadium on crutches, caused Potter to express “worry” about it after the game.
Two matches against AC Milan in as little as six days seems intimidating, but Chelsea will go to the San Siro next week full of confidence following a totally comprehensive victory against Stefano Pioli’s team.
To be fair to Milan, they did start out strong in west London despite missing crucial players like goalkeeper Mike Maignan and rambunctious left-back Theo Hernandez.
However, Chelsea swiftly took charge and had a goal opportunity just five minutes when Mason Mount’s looping attempt from the edge of the box was deflected behind by Ciprian Tatarusanu.
The game’s first goal, though, was scored with little delay for the home crowd as Fofana calmly tucked the ball home after Thiago Silva caused chaos with a pair of corner kicks.
Shortly after, Fofana clashed with Rafael Leao and hobbled down the tunnel, which was the only drawback for Chelsea.
The Milan forward, who Todd Boehly reportedly wanted to sign for Stamford Bridge in the summer, was crucial in creating Milan’s best opportunity of the game. He ran past several Chelsea defenders in the box in a flash before setting up Rade Krunic, who struck Kepa Arrizabalaga with his first shot before blasting his second attempt over the crossbar.
Only then did Potter’s team experience any real concern, as Aubameyang quickly lost Fikayo Tomori before converting James’ cross to extend their advantage shortly after the break.
James was a Chelsea player who was also used by Tuchel in a variety of positions, but Potter has been more constant in his use of the England international, starting him as either a right-back or right wing-back in each of the three games he has overseen so far.
The 22-year-old, who earlier this season signed a new six-year contract with Chelsea, is most at ease in these positions, with wing-back being one that particularly seems to make the most of his physical, offensive, and defensive skills.
James completed an outstanding performance by scoring his second goal of the year shortly after assisting Aubameyang on his goal, capping off an evening in which he mostly silenced the much-hyped Leao.