CHELSEA continue their US pre-season tour with a clash against Club America as they look to win their first game under new management.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues got hammered by Scottish giants Celtic last weekend and they’ll be looking to put things right against the Central American side.
That’s all from Atlanta
Where Chelsea have won their first game of pre-season, and have experienced victory under new boss Enzo Maresca for the first time.
Stamford Bridge supporters will be hoping – and expecting – that the success will not be his last.
We’re now off to catch the midnight train from Georgia so thanks for joining us and goodnight.
Next up for the Blues
Chelsea have two more games of their US tour to navigate with friendlies against Manchester City in Ohio, and then Real Madrid in North Carolina still to come.
The Blues then return home for the first Stamford Bridge game of Enzo Maresca’s tenure, a friendly with Inter MIlan.
The new Premier League season kicks off in the middle of August with another game against the reigning Premier League champions Man City – this time in front of the Chelsea faithful – and the month ends with a trip to Molineux to take on Wolves.
Match stats from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Chelsea goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen only had one save to make over the 90 minutes, and that was the former’s spectacular stop to keep out Javairo Dilrosun’s curler.
Credit: chelseafc.com
Full time – Chelsea 3-0 Club America
The final whistle is blown in Atlanta, and Enzo Maresca has his first win as the Chelsea manager.
Three goals, two penalties, and one half packed with incisive, exciting football, this has been the Blues’ best showing of pre-season so far.
Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke were on the spot from 12 yards while Marc Guiu’s first half header was bundled over his own line by Cristian Calderon.
Romeo Lavia was excellent in midfield, especially in the first 45 minutes when he partnered Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a player that could have marked his first Chelsea appearance with at least two goals.
Chelsea 3-0 Club America
90. Three minutes of stoppage time are signalled at the end of the game.
But in truth, this was over a long time ago in terms of it being a contest.
However, it has been a solid workout for the Blues, and a much-needed morale-boosting win.
Chelsea 3-0 Club America
89. Bad news for Broja again.
The substitute comes off second best as he challenges with goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota for a deep cross from the right.
Once more, there’s nothing untoward in the collision, it’s just unfortunate for the Albanian international that he is continuously getting the sharp end of the stick.
Chelsea 3-0 Club America
87. Chelsea’s two scorers from 12 yards have gone off with Nkunku and Madueke having been replaced by Angelo and Tyrique George respectively.
Chelsea 3-0 Club America
85. Five minutes remain, and Broja is causing a nuisance in attack once again.
The striker feels he should have been awarded Chelsea’s third penalty of the night, but the challenge from Reyes inside the box was fair if a little messy.
Chelsea 3-0 Club America
82. Stunning clearance from Ben Chilwell!
The left-back throws himself at a shot headed for the back of the net, connecting with a diving header to turn the ball behind for a corner.
After a scramble inside the box, Club America supporters would have surely thought they were about to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Chelsea 3-0 Club America – Goal!
80. Christopher Nkunku hands over penalty duties to Noni Madueke, who had wanted to take that spotkick awarded in the opening seconds of the contest.
Still, this effort was well worth the wait!
Left-footed, the forward stutters on his run up, and then plants a brilliant penalty into the top left corner of goal beyond the despairing Rodolfo Cota.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
78. Christopher Nkunku tricks his way into the box, rounds goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota, and is then brought down by the goalkeeper!
The referee takes a long look at the collision, and then points again to the spot!
Chelsea have a second penalty of the night!
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
76. Madueke plays Broja through on goal! He must score! Wide!!
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
73. Mudryk is caught offside.
I’ve missed saying that.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
71. Gusto is off, and on in his place is Ben Chilwell.
The left-back looked impressive on the US tour this time last year before injuries and form made it a season to forget.
He’ll be hoping for better in 2024-25.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
70. Malo Gusto doesn’t look to happy, and I don’t think it’s just because 10,000 Mexicans are whistling in his direction.
The full-back is sitting down on the turf, and has indicated that he’s unable to go on after picking up a knock.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
68. Sharp effort from Broja! Turned away by Cota!
One substitute denies another after the Slough-born Albanian manages to dig out a sharp effort from an acute angle.
In fact, it took a deflection off a defender which made the task even harder for Club America’s veteran goalkeeper.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
67. And on the basis of consistency, Rodrigo Aguirre goes into the book too.
The Uruguayan sees himself cautioned for a cynical trip on Nkunku.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
65. Lesley Ugochukwu is straight into the thick of it…
…and straight into the referee’s notebook.
He’s yellow carded for a trip on Alvaro Fidalgo.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
62. Okay, here we go!
In no particular order, on come Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja, Lesley Ugochukwu, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Renato Veiga.
Departing early are Benoît Badiashile, Marc Guiu, Romeo Lavia, Raheem Sterling and Reece James.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
60. Chelsea are preparing a number of substitutions on the touchline.
In fact, there doesn’t seem to be enough room for the coaches to dish out instruction.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
58. A Mexican wave has broken out in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
As it’s mainly Club America fans, I guess it can’t be seen as cultural appropriation.
Still bloody irritating though.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
56. Club America are essentially fielding a completely different side in this second half, and as usual with so many changes, there’s a very different vibe to the contest.
Since half-time, Chelsea are having loads of possession but are now being faced by a low block that is no longer allowing them the space they revelled in during the first period.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
53. Nkunku is caught by a sore one on the calf that leaves him wincing as he hobbles away.
After the Frenchman missed so much football with injury last term, you can’t blame Chelsea fans fearing the worst whenever he is chopped down like that.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
51. As is his wont, Sterling benefits from a lucky bounce or two as he darts into the area.
His cross into the middle is half-cleared, but only as far as Lavia, who follows up with a placed shot straight at the keeper.
Chelsea 2-0 Club America
48. Club America have made changes too, including the introduction of Dagoberto Espinoza, who is wearing the shirt number 197.
It’s ironic that he’s playing the one club in world football that could feasibly field such a number among their first team squad.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
