CHELSEA secured consecutive victories over Italian giants AC Milan – and they had a helping hand from one of their former employees.Fikayo Tomori was sent off inside the first 20 minutes for dragging down Mason Mount in the box.
And Jorginho, hop skipped and jumped before placing the ball in the back of the net from the penalty spot.
But Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s goal sealed the deal for Chelsea who are now sitting top of Champions League Group E.
Live result: AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
TV/ live stream: BT Sport 2
AC Milan XI: Tatarusanu, Kalulu, Gabbia, Tomori, Hernandez, Tonali, Krunic, Bennacer, Diaz, Giroud, Leao
Chelsea XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Chilwell, Sterling, Mount, Aubameyang
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Potter’s Blues claimed a fourth victory on the spin and a third clean sheet in a row.
They go top of the group in the Champions League just seven days after being bottom.
Another good performance from the team was overshadowed by the injury to James, with the repercussions of that likely to be felt tomorrow or the day after.
Gareth Southgate will be among the most anxious as he waits to hear the fate of one of the country’s best right-backs.
From everyone at SunSport, take care and good night.
Stat attack
Expected Goals: AC Milan (0.48) 0-2 (2.30) Chelsea
James on Twitter
Mount on Potter
“It’s been brilliant.
“You can see the way we play, you know we’re a big threat going forward and been solid at the back and built from the back and able to create chances for each other – we’re going in the right direction and hopefully that continues.
“No, not too much (training changes).
“It was just trying to get in the box and also connect the midfield to the strikers and be free to get assists and get goals.
“It’s been happening for me in the last couple of games but I want more and hopefully that can happen in the next few games coming up.”
Mason Mount quotes
Speaking to BT Mount added: “Yeah (back to his best) I feel good.
“I’m enjoying it, playing well and we’re scoring goals so that’s the most important thing.
“Hopefully, next I can get a goal because it’s been coming but I just haven’t been able to finish it off yet, but I’ll take the assists for my team-mates.”
On Mason Mount
“Yeah really important (Mount to the way the team plays) obviously he was on a yellow card and he plays a lot more football so we just felt at half-time it would be sensible to give him a breather.
“I thought he was fantastic, got in some good spaces, attacked the goal well, won the penalty for us and was a constant threat for us.
“So really pleased with him from the start and he’s a really important player.”
More from Potter
“Yeah that’s the trick (to keep the team’s cool) you want to try and control the game but not be too passive because you see the atmosphere here and one action can result in a goal and then all of a sudden the stadium erupts and they feel like they’ve got the extra man again.
“So balance between having good structure, being mature and keeping the ball while at the same time trying to threaten the goal and score again.”
Potter on the sending off
“Yeah it’s hard from where I’m sitting. I’ve not watched it back but it looks like he’s got his hand on him and Mason’s through on goal from where I’m sitting but i need to take a look back at it again clearly.
“Nice on the penalty, nice for Jorgi to score and it was a nice move to get in there in the first place but it is what it is, sometimes they go for you.”
Graham Potter quotes
Speaking to BT after the game Potter said: “Yeah, to come here and win is not easy that’s for sure so credit to the players, they were really good I thought.
“We obviously had a bit of luck with them going down to 10 men but i thought overall the performance was good, nice to keep a clean sheet again and it’s fantastic for us.”
Results elsewhere
So let’s have a look at results elsewhere.
Group E:
Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 RB Salzburg
Group F
Celtic 0-2 RB Leipzig
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Real Madrid
Group G
FC Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Sevilla
Group H
Maccabi Haifa 2-0 Juventus
PSG 1-1 Benfica
Group outlook
So now with the conclusion of matchday four here’s how the group looks.
1. Chelsea P4 W2 D1 L1 Pts 7 GD +4
2. Salzburg P4 W1 D3 L0 Pts 6 GD +1
3. Milan P4 W1 D1 L2 Pts 4 GD -3
4. Dinamo Zagreb P4 W1 D1 L2 Pts 4 GD -2
FULL-TIME: AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
What a bizarre seven days for Chelsea.
Last Tuesday they were bottom of Group E, but now they are top of the group with their two wins against Milan.
The other result in the group tonight currently sees Salzburg and Dinamo with a goal apiece.
Nevertheless, Chelsea make it back-to-back wins in the Champions League and four on the bounce in all competitions.
A mature performance from Potter’s side, with plenty of good signs and good foundations being laid to build upon the former Brighton manager’s philosophy.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
90+1. Now into injury time with Milan still pushing for at least one goal.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
90. Well they may be losing on the scoreline but Milan have definitely left the Chelsea team battered and bruised.
Yet another yellow from the ref goes the way of the Serie A champs, this time with Ballo Toure on the receiving end.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
89. Chelsea set to make their final change with Marc Cucurella about to come on for Ben Chilwell.
And another yellow has been given out to Tonali.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
85. It’s deja vu, with yet another booking being dished out.
This time it’s gone the way of Gallagher.
That now means there has been eight cards – seven yellows one red – given out tonight.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
79. Kai Havertz comes on for Aubameyang for Potter’s fourth sub of the night.
Meanwhile, Milan make a double change with Leao and Hernandez making way for Ballo Toure and Origi.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
75. Close for Aubameyang.
Chelsea transition quickly after winning the ball back and feed the ball into Loftus-Cheek.
He then strides towards the Milan penalty area before picking a pass to Aubameyang.
He then controls the ball but it gets slightly caught under his feet and Dest is able to get back to make a goal-saving block.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
73. The fans also remain in full voice despite the circumstances.
They were impressive at the Bridge last week as well.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
72. Milan still have spirit left.
They’re not threatening nearly as much as they likely would with 10 men, but Milan are not giving up without a fight.
The extra man is counting for a lot here though ultimately.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
67. Another yellow for Milan, this time with Pobega going into the book.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
65. Chelsea dictating proceedings now.
They’re having a lot of glory picking out the pockets of space between the lines.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
60. Meanwhile, Giroud and Bennacer have also gone off with Pobega and Rebic replacing them.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
59. Huge chance for Dest to halve the deficit.
Leao produces some lovely skill down and whips the ball into the area, with it coming all the way through to Dest.
In acres, he then lashed a shot at goal but it went high wide past Kepa’s goal.
However, bad news for England and Chelsea with James going down to seek treatment again.
Veteran Azpilicueta replaces James while Ruben Loftus-Cheek also comes on for Sterling.
AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea
55. James down injured here following a challenge against Hernandez.
However, after a few minutes down on the turf and with the medics, James is able to continue.
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