REECE JAMES came to Chelsea’s rescue again with a goal worthy of a bigger stage.
Captain James broke the deadlock with a cracking 25-yarder that dragged his team out of the doldrums as they struggled to get into gear in the C-List Conference League.
Chelsea’s longest serving player was drafted into midfield as a tactical experiment by boss Enzo Maresca and popped up a minute into the second half with only his second goal of the season.
In January, he salvaged a point for The Blues with the last kick of the game at home to Bournemouth and showed his value again just when Maresca needed it.
The head coach was forced to make a triple substitution at half time to ignite his team and gain a narrow advantage to make next week’s last 16 second leg in London a bit more comfortable
By the end of the game, a reshuffled Chelsea line up had a more familiar look with Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Jadon Sancho and Enzo Fernandez on the pitch.
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And vice-captain Fernandez doubled their lead with 25 minutes left with a well-placed shot across goal from inside the box.
Maresca’s side should have cruised it from there but suffered a nervy final ten minutes when the Danish league leaders pulled one back from a set-piece with a header by Gabriel Pereira cashing in on slack marking at the back post.
James has to be carefully managed these days after a string of hamstring injuries which have plagued his recent career.
Good job the renowned full back was on the ball despite being out of position in the heart of the team as Maresca tinkered with his line up.
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Credit must also go to Cucurella, forced to come on earlier than expected when Malo Gusto came off injured after only 24 minutes.
The Spaniard was an attacking force down the left and claimed the assist for James’ opener and the key pass to Tyrique George which ultimately allowed Fernandez to claim the winner.
Curly-tops Cucu provided a neat cut-back for James to unleash a screamer into the back of the net from outside the box not long into the second half.
And from there a much more confident Chelsea pressed the advantage and rookie winger George played a short pass from the byline for Fernandez to pick his spot from inside the six yard box.
With his eyes on Sunday’s Premier League clash at home to his former club Leicester, Maresca rejigged his line-up and also took off Cole Palmer early to rest legs for the weekend game.
Greenhorn striker Shumaira Mheuka became the youngest starter for Chelsea in a major European tournament at the age of 17 years and 137 days but was taken off at half time.
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REECE JAMES ensured Chelsea will have a lead to defend at Stamford Bridge next week despite not being at the races.
Enzo Maresca would have been scratching his head at half-time after the Blues put in one of their worst first half performances of the season.
The Chelsea boss wrung the changes at the break and they paid off instantly as James opened the scoring from 30 yards.
It was a stroke of genius from Maresca to play James in the midfield – and he would not have been in a position to score otherwise.
The skipper battled brilliantly in the middle of the park and his ability to pick out a pass meant his display was one of few positives to take from this clash.
Cole Palmer again looked lethargic while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall looked out of his depth – as did Shim Mheuka making his full debut.
Fellow youngster Tyrique George looked bright while Christopher Nkunku and Marc Cucurella made impacts from the bench.
But in truth Chelsea were lucky to escape Parken with a win.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Blues’ players.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
