CHELSEA have beaten Heidenheim 2-0 to continue their perfect record in the Conference League.
Early in the second half, Christopher Nkunku broke the deadlock with a superb finish.
On 86 minutes, Mykhailo Mudryk slammed one right in the top right corner to make it 2-0 and secure a fourth straight win for Chelsea in Europe.
The Blues’ win was clouded by Cesare Casadei receiving a red card for a second yellow with seconds remaining.
- Match result: Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea
- Heidenheim starting team: Muller, Siersleben, Mainka, Scienza, Wanner, Honsak, Traore, Kaufmann, Theuerkauf, Maloney, Dorsch
- Chelsea starting team: Jorgensen, Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga, Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, Nkunku, Mudryk, Guiu
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Chelsea’s second string maintained their 100 per cent record in the third tier of European competition – but not without a number of scares.
Top scorer Christopher Nkunku claimed his seventh goal in the Europa Conference League and on another night might have had a hat-trick.
But Heidenheim, who also went into the game with three wins from three, caused plenty of problems for the Blues.
Blues goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen made a string of saves, the best of them after Nkunku’s goal and before Mykhailo Mudryk sealed victory with less than five minutes to go.
Full time stats
The numbers behind the 90 minutes.
Chelsea well in control of the ball but Heidenheim did have their chances – actually registering more efforts on target than Chelsea.
The Blues with over double the completed passes.
Full time from SunSport’s Dan King in Germany
After the flood of goals that overwhelmed Noah, a far more challenging night for Chelsea in the depths of southern Germany.
Heidenheim will surely climb higher than the 15th place they currently occupy in the Bundesliga.
And Cesare Casadei will probably not be heartbroken by his late red card because it means he misses the trip to freezing Kazahkstan next month.
Full time in Heidenheim
Heidenheim were perhaps a touch unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet tonight.
But a second string Chelsea side proved just too strong in the second half.
Two assists on the night for Jadon Sancho who was heavily involved in both goals.
Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk the scorers and a decent away win in Europe.
FT!
Chelsea win 2-0 at Heidenheim to guarantee European football after Christmas!
RED CARD
Cesare Casadei is shown a second yellow card with a few seconds to go.
The youngster looks absolutely devastated with that as he trudges off. It takes the shine off what was a decent night for him too.
90+4 – Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea win a corner and look quite happy to run the clock down as Joao Felix takes his time making it across.
Five minutes added on
Chelsea should have enough to see this one out from here.
Smoke fills the air as yet more pyro is let off.
90+1 – Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea
Two late Chelsea changes:
- OFF: Sancho & Dewsbury-Hall
- ON: George & Rak-Sakyi
GOOOO – NO!
Nearly a grandstand finish.
Max Breunig finds the net for the home side once again.
Max Breunig is offside when doing so once again.
GOAL DETAIL
Stunning finish from Mudryk and it’s game over in Germany.
Again, Sancho is the architect. He works a really clever one-two with Dewsbury-Hall who has been bright all night.
The pair work it well and Sancho darts into the box before laying it off to Mudryk on the edge of the box who smashes it into the top corner with a first time finish.
Game over now!
73 – Heidenheim 0-1 Chelsea
Jorgensen and Veiga both booked in the space of 90 seconds.
Veiga for a foul on halfway, Jorgensen for time-wasting.
That shows where this game is at the minute.
GOOO – NO!
The home fans just getting excited for a few seconds there when Max Breunig found the net with a header.
But he’s roughly a mile offside and it’s quickly ruled out.
Chelsea living dangerously here.
73 – Heidenheim 0-1 Chelsea
It is game over – for Nkunku.
He was hurt from that challenge and missed chance and signaled to the bench straight away.
He makes his way to the sidelines but he’s going to be replaced. Hopefully nothing too serious.
- OFF: Nkunku
- ON: Chukwuemeka
73 – Heidenheim 0-1 Chelsea
Should be game over!
From the edge of their own box, Chelsea play three slick passes which completely cut open the German side and Nkunku is inside his own half but is clean through.
His first touch is good as he bears down on goal. The defender gets back to put him off with a slight nudge in the back but he gets his shot away and Muller keeps it out.
69 – Heidenheim 0-1 Chelsea
Heidenheim just haven’t managed to get Paul Wanner on the ball enough tonight.
But he’s involved here, capitalising on more strange Chelsea defending to get a strike on goal which Jorgensen saves tremendously well.
The home side on top at the minute chasing a famous equaliser.
View from SunSport’s Dan King in Germany
Heidenheim aren’t giving up, nor are their fans.
Those flares just keep on coming in the home end, no matter how many times they are politely told it’s not allowed.
Joao Felix has replaced Marc Guiu, Christopher Nkunku has gone up top and the game is in the balance.
Fabulous double save by Filip Jorgensen keeps Chelsea ahead.
62 – Heidenheim 0-1 Chelsea
Nearly a stunning equaliser from Scienza – but what on earth were Chelsea doing at the back there.
From a goal kick, Badiashile gives it to Jorgensen when the keeper’s not looking. So he has to scramble to try and clear it but it’s charged down.
The ball looks to be headed for a Chelsea throw and Disasi kids on he’s going to get it but tries to be clever to let it run out.
He’s then made to look a right mug when Kaufmann bursts his lungs to keep it in on the slide. It’s knocked to Scienza who has a go from 25 yards on the angle but dips and curls agonisingly wide.
Some stat
Ten goals in his last 11 European games for Nkunku.
56 – Heidenheim 0-1 Chelsea
Good work from Sancho once again.
He beats his man with good footwork before a low cross into Guiu but good defending at the back sees the home side get bodies in the way to scramble it to safety.
Too good
Christopher Nkunku has to play more.
In truth, his Chelsea career would probably be much different had he not been injured early into his Stamford Bridge life.
He’s wasted as just a European player in this competition.
GOAL DETAIL
Smashing wee goal or Chelsea and a customary European goal from Christopher Nkunku.
Dewsbury-Hall feeds Sancho down the right side of the area.
His pick-out for the late run of Nkunku looks to be a difficult one for the forward.
But on the stretch, Nkunku brings it down with his left foot and into his path superbly before finishing coolly from close range into the top corner with his right foot.
Terrific goal.
He’s done it again!
49 – Heidenheim 0-0 Chelsea
‘Come on Chelsea, come on Chelsea’ – the chant from the Chelsea supporters as the Blues enjoy a couple of minutes of good possession.
Dewsbury-Hall almost slips a great through-ball for Guiu to be sent clean through but it’s a last-ditch interception from Scienza which cuts it out.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
