Soccer

CHELSEA maintained their 100 per cent start to their Conference League campaign with a 4-1 win at Panathinaikos. Joao Felix turned in the opening goal of an emotional night in Athens midway through the first half.Chelsea eased to a routine win over PanathinaikosCredit: EPAJoao Felix got the goals flowing with a neat finishCredit: ReutersBefore kick-off, the Greek side paid tribute to former defender George Baldock in their first home match since his tragic death.Mykhailo Mudryk headed in from close range after the break – before another for Felix, who then won a penalty converted by Christopher Nkunku. However, Chelsea did not head back with a clean sheet as ex-Manchester United man Facundo Pellistri grabbed a consolation. Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Enzo Maresca’s men…READ MORE ON CHELSEAFilip Jorgensen – 7Made a fine flying save inside the opening two minutes, flying across to prevent a nightmare start. Had to deal with a laser being shone in his face – will be disappointed not to get a clean sheet. Axel Disasi – 5Gave away the early free-kick that almost resulted in a shock early lead for the hosts. Dragged slightly out of position before Panathinaikos’ goal then got booked for cynical tug in injury time – but made big block from resulting free-kick. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBenoit Badiashile – 5Will have plenty of sterner tests this season – but would have been desperate not to concede. Was the man who should have been picking up Pellistri at the back post when Disasi came central. Chelsea star spotted at Emirates Stadium watching Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar DonetskFilip Jorgensen’s biggest challenge was dealing with the laserCredit: TNT SportsRenato Veiga – 6Played as the left-sided centre-back and looked pretty relaxed about his evening’s work – understandably so.Except for when he almost scored a comedic own goal but the ball looped just wide of the post. Marc Cucurella – 6Enjoying his role as the left-back who is given orders to help out in attack – leaving a back three behind when in possession. Routine stuff for the Spaniard – although critics may say he was out of position in build-up to Pellistri goal. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7Former Leicester man showed plenty of energy – just as he promises to do in every appearance. Played a neat long pass to Felix in the build-up to the opening goal. Enzo Fernandez – 6Back in the starting XI after his surprise exclusion against Liverpool, and given the captain’s armband. Had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 but ran on to his shot but it was rising and tipped over to make sure. Pedro Neto – 7A constant livewire and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Mudryk’s goal.May well get the nod against Newcastle ahead of Jadon Sancho and/or Noni Madueke.Christopher Nkunku – 7Despite the home fans’ best attempts with their lasers, the forward made no mistake from the penalty spot in his only notable contribution.Cool as you like from 12 yards, firing low into the bottom corner. Mykhailo Mudryk – 9Left his team-mates frustrated when he went solo and blasted off target but made amends minutes later with a lovely sliding pass for Felix. Then turned from assist provider to goalscorer with his header at the back post, just about nodding it in, and the smile said it all. Went back to setting up, though, as he teed up Felix again – brilliant performance, best man on the pitch and one of his best performances for Chelsea.Mykhailo Mudryk headed in at the back postCredit: APChristopher Nkunku made no mistake from the spotCredit: ReutersJoao Felix – 8Scored the opening goal – and did so in style with a lovely, cushioned header to flick the ball on then getting in the six-yard box to deftly turn home. Got Chelsea’s third thanks to a fortunate deflection then won the penalty.SUBSTyrique George (for Neto, 61 mins) – 7Stung the palms with a late effort and looked very bright when he came on. Marc Guiu (for Nkunku, 61 mins) – 5Spent half an hour up top but was largely anonymous.READ MORE SUN STORIESCesare Casadei (for Fernandez, 71 mins) – 5Extra minutes in midfield as Fernandez’s legs saved for Newcastle on Sunday. Carney Chukwuemeka (for Dewsbury-Hall, 77 mins) – 5Got the final stages but game all over by then. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had bags of energy in midfieldCredit: APJoao Felix found the net twice and won a penaltyCredit: AP More

CHELSEA stars Filip Jorgensen and Christopher Nkunku had lasers shone in their faces at PanathinaikosThe Swedish-Danish goalkeeper, 22, got a rare start between the stick for the Conference League trip in Greece on Thursday.Filip Jorgensen had a laser beamed on his face during the Conference League trip to PanathinaikosCredit: TNT SportsChristopher Nkunku was also targetedCredit: TNT SportsThe Frenchman kept his composure to score the penaltyCredit: TNT SportsBut when the hosts got ready to put a corner into the danger area after 14 minutes, he was distracted by a laser.The green beam could clearly be seen on Jorgensen’s face. An announcement was put out over the PA system at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. However, it was seemingly ignored by some as Enzo Fernandez also had his face lit up in green during the first half.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThen before Nkunku took his penalty to make it 4-0 on the night, he was blinded by the bright laser beams.The Frenchman had to cover his eyes with his hand and squinted while being targeted but kept his composure to slot home the spot-kick. And the offences could prompt a fine from Uefa as punishment to Panathinaikos for their fans’ behaviour.Chelsea fans took to X, outraged by the use of a laser pen – which is an all-too-familiar occurrence in Greek football.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne fumed: “So Panathinaikos fans are doing laser in the face of Chelsea players? How classy.”Another wrote: “Why are Panathinaikos fans pointing laser pens at Chelsea’s players?? Why?”Chelsea star spotted at Emirates Stadium watching Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar DonetskAnd a third added: “Nothing says Conference League like laser pointers on the faces of Chelsea players!”Joao Felix rounded off a lovely team move to break the deadlock before Mykhailo Mudryk headed in for 2-0.Mudryk, who assisted the first, turned provider again for the third as Felix’s deflected strike bounced in.The Portuguese forward won the penalty from which Nkunku scored before ex-Manchester United man Facundo Pellistri grabbed a consolation for the hosts. Earlier on, Panathinaikos paid an emotional tribute to their former defender George Baldock.Baldock died tragically in the swimming pool at his Athens home on October 9 aged just 31. A live band played a version of David Bowie’s Starman ahead of kick-off, the song Sheffield United used for his chant during his time with the club.Fans in both the home and away end held up cards with Baldock’s No32 on, while 32 flags bearing the number were waved pitchside.Supporters also displayed a homemade banner reading “George Baldock, Immortal” in Greek in the club’s first home game since his sudden passing.Chelsea ratings vs Panathinaikos: Mudryk gives rare glimpse of his talent but one defender strugglesCHELSEA maintained their 100 per cent start to their Conference League campaign with a 4-1 win at Panathinaikos.Joao Felix turned in the opening goal of an emotional night in Athens midway through the first half.Mykhailo Mudryk headed in from close range after the break – before another for Felix, who then won a penalty converted by Christopher Nkunku.However, Chelsea did not head back with a clean sheet as ex-Manchester United man Facundo Pellistri grabbed a consolation.Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Enzo Maresca’s men…Filip Jorgensen – 7Made a fine flying save inside the opening two minutes, flying across to prevent a nightmare start.Had to deal with a laser being shone in his face – will be disappointed not to get a clean sheet.Axel Disasi – 5Gave away the early free-kick that almost resulted in a shock early lead for the hosts.Dragged slightly out of position before Panathinaikos’ goal then got booked for cynical tug in injury time – but made big block from resulting free-kick.Benoit Badiashile – 5Will have plenty of sterner tests this season – but would have been desperate not to concede.Was the man who should have been picking up Pellistri at the back post when Disasi came central.Renato Veiga – 6Played as the left-sided centre-back and looked pretty relaxed about his evening’s work – understandably so.Except for when he almost scored a comedic own goal but the ball looped just wide of the post.Marc Cucurella – 6Enjoying his role as the left-back who is given orders to help out in attack – leaving a back three behind when in possession.Routine stuff for the Spaniard – although critics may say he was out of position in build-up to Pellistri goal.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7Former Leicester man showed plenty of energy – just as he promises to do in every appearance.Played a neat long pass to Felix in the build-up to the opening goal.Enzo Fernandez – 6Back in the starting XI after his surprise exclusion against Liverpool, and given the captain’s armband.Had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 but ran on to his shot but it was rising and tipped over to make sure.Pedro Neto – 7A constant livewire and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Mudryk’s goal.May well get the nod against Newcastle ahead of Jadon Sancho and/or Noni Madueke.Christopher Nkunku – 7Despite the home fans’ best attempts with their lasers, the forward made no mistake from the penalty spot in his only notable contribution.Cool as you like from 12 yards, firing low into the bottom corner.Mykhailo Mudryk – 9Left his team-mates frustrated when he went solo and blasted off target but made amends minutes later with a lovely sliding pass for Felix.Then turned from assist provider to goalscorer with his header at the back post, just about nodding it in, and the smile said it all.Went back to setting up, though, as he teed up Felix again.Joao Felix – 8Scored the opening goal – and did so in style with a lovely, cushioned header to flick the ball on then getting in the six-yard box to deftly turn home.Got Chelsea’s third thanks to a fortunate deflection then won the penalty.SUBSTyrique George (for Neto, 61 mins) – 7Stung the palms with a late effort and looked very bright when he came on.Marc Guiu (for Nkunku, 61 mins) – 5Spent half an hour up top but was largely anonymous.Cesare Casadei (for Fernandez, 71 mins) – 5Extra minutes in midfield as Fernandez’s legs saved for Newcastle on Sunday.Carney Chukwuemeka (for Dewsbury-Hall, 77 mins) – 5Got the final stages but game all over by then.Players from both sides, who took part in a minute’s silence ahead of the game, wore black armbands while the Chelsea squad also posed with a Blues shirt with “Baldock, 32” printed on the back.READ MORE SUN STORIESBaldock’s team-mates appeared close to tears during the minute’s silence, with manager Diego Alonso having said the club were still in a state of mourning.Panathinaikos players and staff plan to travel to England for Baldock’s funeral later this month, while the club are also considering honouring the remainder of his three-year deal to support his family. More