CHELSEA have beaten Gent 4-2 in their Conference League opener.
The Blues broke the deadlock on 12 minutes through summer signing Renato Veiga’s header.
Just after the restart, Pedro Neto fired in to double Chelsea’s lead at Stamford Bridge.
Tsuyoshi Watanabe halved the Blues’ advantage early in the second half with a superb header before Christopher Nkunku restored Chelsea’s two-goal lead for 3-1.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added a fourth prior to Omri Gandelman’s consolation goal.
It was a routine win for Chelsea on the night as they kicked off their Conference League campaign with a win.
- Match result: Chelsea 4-2 Gent
- Chelsea team: Jorgensen, Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga, Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, Felix, Mudryk, Nkunku
- Gent team: Roef, Brown, Watanbe, Mitrovic, Torunarigha, Gambor, Fadiga, Delorge, Ito, Surdez, Gudjohnsen
- Explainer: Why has Cole Palmer been left out of the squad?
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Some of the night’s highlights
Four goals tonight from Chelsea, with each one needed to keep Gent at bay.
Renato Veiga opened the scoring early in the first half.
His strike was followed by Pedro Neto’s, which arrived moments into the second half.
Christopher Nkunku then used one of his few touches to fire home.
And Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was over the moon as he found his first goal for Chelsea.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Credit: Reuters Credit: Alamy Next up
Since drawing with Crystal Palace, Chelsea have now won five in a row across all competitions.
They will be hoping to keep that run going when they host Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
And after that, Chelsea travel to Anfield for a tough clash with Liverpool.
That’s followed by a midweek Conference trip to Panathinaikos, before October is seen out by back-to-back league and cup games against Newcastle.
More from Maresca
“We try to share minutes as they (the players) deserve it. The ones who play tonight doesn’t mean they wont play the next game.
“In moment it’s like this but they compete in same way and this is crucial for us this season.
“I know Kiernan very well, when you are in a club and the main player, then move to a big club, it’s not easy because you are not the main player and struggle at the beginning, so I’m very happy for him.
“I think was clear you could see the purpose and identity from the team, very clear.”
Enzo Maresca speaks
“A good performance, every game is tough. I think we approached it very well and got what we deserve.
“A good result, good performance, a shame with the second goal we could avoid that, but all in all I’m very happy.
“There were some good moments but we have many things we can do better, attack and defend.
“Also we need to understand until the final whistle you cannot switch off. But I’m happy with the performance and result.”
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More from KDH
“Maresca is a breath of fresh air ever since I started working with him.
“I’m taken back by his knowledge and what he does is passionate and motivates you.
“The lads came up to me so impressed by way he works, you can see they are buying into it.
“I’m happy we are getting results and only scratching the surface, let’s see, in six months we will be in a really good position.”
Credit: Alamy Dewsbury-Hall speaks
“I’m over the moon, I’ve been waiting for that since I joined the club to show what I’m good at. I’m happy it came to fruition tonight.
“It’s an amazing feeling I’ll never forget, but winning the game after so many changes is a credit to everyone, I won’t forget this in a hurry.
“I pride myself on working hard as I can every day. I’d like to play more but it’s my duty to make sure I’m making the manager think every day.
“I feel strong and fit after injury and feel fresh, whenever I’m needed I’ll do my best.”
Chelesa player ratings
There were some big showings from Chelsea tonight.
But some were less impressive.
SunSport’s Dan King has looked at each performance.
Check out his ratings below.
Match stats
A huge gulf between the two sides in terms of possession.
Chelsea also had almost three times as many completed passes as Gent.
Only five of their 20 shots were on targeted.
But with four resulting in goals, there was no need for Chelsea fans to panic.
More from Neto
“We know we won’t be in control of all the game. Even when we are really good we will have to suffer sometimes a bit.
“These nights will be difficult because to play here at Chelsea is important, but we always want to win.
“To improve we have to have healthy competition.
“It comes from the player. Even if starting every game you have to perform every day.”
Pedro Neto speaks
Goalscorer Neto has just delivered his post-match thoughts.
The Portuguese ace said: “We did a really good performance. We came to our home to do a great game against a good team, we came here to win the game.
“We did a really good job, we conceded two goals but it doesn’t take away from the performance.”
FULL TIME
Final score: Chelsea 4 Genk 2 – and another win for Maresca’s Blues.
They made hard work of it at times, while looking brilliant in other moments.
But Chelsea’s second string are only going to get better with more games
Next up in the Conference is Greek side Panathinaikos – away from home.
Chelsea 4 Gent 2
90+3. Nearly over here and the three points are in the bag.
Chelsea will be disappointed to concede two, especially one so late.
Maresca is sure to have something to say about the latter.
But the home supporters are still happy, with a win a win after the last few painful years.
Chelsea 4 Gent 2
90. Sub Omri Gandelman has netted for Gent.
It was a fine strike to beat Jorgensen.
And it has sent the away fans wild.
Meanwhile, we have four minutes of injury time.
GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL
Gent have pulled another one back!
Fair play, that one is for the travelling fans.
Chelsea 4 Gent 1
88. Maresca is still patrolling the sideline menacingly.
He will be pleased for the most part with the performance.
And the Italian clearly wanted to see what this second string XI was made of after Gent pulled a goal back.
But the boys in Blue have done their job, with the result always being the most important thing for any boss.
Credit: Reuters Chelsea 4 Gent 1
86. Gent look to have finally given up the ghost.
The Belgians put in an impressive shift after going behind in the first half.
But Chelsea have proven a tough nut to crack.
And since scoring early into the second half, Gent have not had any more proper chances.
Chelsea 4 Gent 1
83. So close for Guiu!
The striker makes a clever run and is fed behind the defender by Felix.
He takes a shot at a tight angle.
And the former Barcelona kid hits the side of the post.
Chelsea subs
First changes of the night for the hosts, with two goal scorers coming off.
Marc Guiu is on for Nkunku up front.
While Cobham lad Tyrique George replaces Neto on the right flank.
And they will be both be hoping to help Chelsea net a fifth here.
Chelsea 4 Gent 1
79. Another game, another goal for Nkunku.
His stats won’t make for pretty reading.
But a goal is a goal and the flexible striker is so far delivering the goods.
Dewsbury-Hall has certainly put in a good shift today, and his goal was throughly well deserved.
Credit: PA Credit: Getty
Chelsea 4 Gent 1
77. Maresca is sending a message to his players on the pitch.
With still no subs on, he must want them to see out this game and show they have defensive steel as well as attacking flair.
Dewsbury-Hall still wants more though and smashes a great long shot at Gent’s goal, which is saved by their goalie.
Disasi then think’s he’s scored but the ball nicks his chest and goes wide!
Chelsea 4 Gent 1
74. A yellow card for Disasi as he concedes a free-kick.
But fortunately for the Frenchman, Gent can’t produce anything noteworthy with the set-piece.
The Belgians aren’t going anywhere fast though.
And Disasi is forced to clear to prevent Brown from getting his foot on the ball in Chelsea’s box.
Chelsea 4 Gent 1
71. If Chelsea blow it from here there will be hell to pay.
Maresca finally allows himself to celebrate as his old Leicester favourite Dewsbury-Hall gets off the mark for Chelsea.
Nkunku put pressure on Gent’s defence before poaching the ball.
It rolled free to Dewsbury-Hall, who bust a gut from deep to scream home from just inside the box.
GOOOOAAAALLLL
A fourth goal for Chelsea!
And it’s summer signing Dewsbury-Hall!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
