A much-changed Chelsea side secured the second win of their Champions League campaign with a dominant 5-1 victory over 10-man Ajax.
The Dutch side were hugely up against it when Kenneth Taylor was shown a straight red card, with the Blues punishing them with goals from Mac Guiu, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao and Tyrique George, with Wout Weghorst scoring the only goal for the visitors.
Despite having a player advantage for much of the game, it was an encouraging night for many of the Blues’ second-string players after Enzo Maresca made 10 changes for the thrashing at Stamford Bridge.
The win keeps Chelsea within reach of the top eight, with two wins from their three games so far.
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Chelsea vs Ajax as it happened
The first chance for the Blues against a disciplined away side came 13 minutes in when Guiu was found with a lovely ball over the top but veteran goalkeeper Remko Pasveer was alert enough to come off his line to thwart the young striker, who was making his first Chelsea start since January.
The complexion of the game changed significantly a few minutes later when Taylor was shown a straight red card for a high challenge onto the ankle of Fernando Buonanotte.
Seconds later, Ajax’s misery was compounded when Wesley Fofana headed the ball across goal for the unmarked Guiu to comfortably guide the hosts in front, signalling what looked a long night ahead for the visitors.
Barely 10 minutes later, Chelsea were in full control when the bright Jamie Gittens found Moises Caicedo, who let fly from distance before a deflection wrongfooted Pasveer to double their advantage.
John Heitinga’s would have the chance to get themselves back in the game out of nowhere though when Tosin committed a clumsy foul in the box on Raul Moro, allowing ex-Manchester United striker Weghorst to halve the deficit.
But the striker was in the thick of the action up the end other end after upending Gittens with a rash challenge before the break, with the returning Enzo Fernandez finding the net to restore Chelsea’s two-goal lead.
There was still time for a third penalty of an eventful half when Youri Baas stood on the back of Estevao’s foot and this time, Enzo would hand the responsibility to the Brazilian, who lashed home an emphatic penalty to score his first Champions League goal.
The hosts took just three minutes to make it five after the break when substitute Tyrique George latched onto a loose ball before his effort found the net via another deflection.
The remainder of the half was something of a procession for Chelsea, with Estevao continuing to provide a threat, missing the target after a fantastic George cross before forcing a strong save from Pasveer from distance.
It continued to be a night where Estevao exhibited his extraordinary talent, with the 18-year-old unable to connect with an audacious bicycle kick.
Chelsea vs Ajax line-ups
Chelsea:Â Jorgensen; Caicedo, Fofana, Tosin, Hato; Lavia, Fernandez; Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu.Â
Subs:Â Sanchez, Merrick, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Walsh, Santos, Neto, Garnacho, Kavuma-McQueen, George.Â
Ajax:Â Pasveer, Rosa, Itakaru, Moro, Taylor, Gloukh, Godts, Baas, McConnell, Weghorst, Sutalo
Subs: Jaros, Heerkens, Gaaei, Regeer, Edvardsen, Klaasen, Konadu, Mokio, Fitz-Jim, Alders, Boundia
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
