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Chelsea achieved their first Champions League victory of the season with a 4-0 win over FC Krasnodar.
In the first half, Chelsea had a chance to score early, however Jorginho’s penalty shot hit the post. With just eight minutes left to play, the Blues finally scored their goal thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s first goal in the Champions League.
The Blues started the second half very sloppily and were far behind. Despite Krasnodar hitting the bar, Mendy and Chelsea’s defense was rarely put to the test.
Lampard’s team had a chance to double their lead in the 76th minute from the penalty spot. With Jorginho replaced, Werner took over responsibility and scored the Blues’ second.
Three minutes later, it was three o’clock. A neat play down the left side finally saw Hakim Ziyech score his first Chelsea goal in his first start. Christian Pulisic scored the fourth in what was an impressive away win in Russia for Frank Lampard’s men.
Here are our five things we learned from Chelsea’s win:
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1. Hakim Ziyech’s impressive first outing for the Blues
Considering this was Ziyech’s first start since March, it’s fair to say that he caught the attention of many Chelsea fans with a dazzling performance against Krasnodar. His eye for a pass wreaked havoc on the Russian defense at times throughout the game. Looking ahead, he was a threat with an orderly liaison play with Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz. His performance was rewarded with a late goal, which turned out to be his last touch. A good finish inside the area culminated a great first outing for the Moroccan.
2. Another clean sheet plus three points
In the previous two games against Manchester United and Sevilla, the Blues defense was on point, but the offensive side of their game did not exist. The match against Krasnodar was a brilliant and balanced performance by Chelsea. There was stability in the rear and a phenomenal forward game for the Blues. The eleven men deserve all the applause. From start to finish, Chelsea was consistent. Krasnodar had his moments but rarely threatened Chelsea’s goal.
3. Frank deserves some credit
In the Champions League, competing teams can use five substitutes during the 90 minutes. Frank Lampard used that rule to full effect in the confrontation with the Russian medium. With the Blues one goal up, Lampard made a triple change that possibly changed the game. The submarines came up at the right time, and people like Pulisic, Abraham and Mount, Kante and Emerson immediately got involved. Krasnodar didn’t have a fully fit team to choose from, and it showed in the final moments of the game. Therefore, Lampard deserves a lot of credit for presenting the submarines at the right time.
4. The passionate display of Callum Hudson-Odoi
In this age of football, no matter how you score, you just have to get the ball into the back of the net. Hudson-Odoi’s goal was very lucky, but it would have made a world of confidence for the young winger. Throughout the game, Hudson-Odoi looked like a threat down the road and was making a change at the rear at times as well. It was clear that Callum was giving up 110% on the field, going up and down and looking like a threat wherever the game went. He was replaced by Christian Pulisic and it looked like he took a slight hit.
5. Kai Havertz’s freedom in midfield
The German international started off slow, giving Krasnodar a chance early on, but eventually dusted off those early cobwebs. Kai was arguably at the forefront of the Blues’ attack throughout the game. He was involved in the good connection of the Blues first. Havertz had a lot of freedom to run and control the game and do future damage. Without a doubt one of the best Chelsea players in the game.
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Next up for Frank Lampard’s team is Burnley in the Premier League.
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