It has been a long time since Chelsea enjoyed a comprehensive win over a truly big club. Tonight’s 3-0 victory over Serie A champions AC Milan was their most mature and encouraging display in a long time. It is still early in the tenure of manager Graham Potter, but the new coach appears to have spent the international break wisely. Chelsea neutralised the Rossoneri defensively and went through the gears in the final third to register a satisfying win. The victory is Chelsea’s first in the Champions League this season, a crucial kickstart to their continental campaign.
Milan looked toothless in the opening period, posing almost no threat to the Chelsea goal. Graham Potter’s side did not take full advantage, but did enough to display superiority. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deft flick to Mason Mount saw the England man’s whipped shot saved by Ciprian Tatarusanu. It was an early show of strength from the Premier League side.
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Thiago Silva’s uncanny ability from set pieces proved pivotal. The veteran defender drew a save from a header after latching onto a free kick. The resulting corner from Ben Chilwell led to a block and another corner finally provided the breakthrough. Silva headed his third set piece in a row towards goal which was saved by Tatarusanu. But the stopper could not hold the attempt and Wesley Fofana poked the rebound home. It was the first goal of the defender’s Chelsea career and no less than Potter’s men deserved.
Mount looked to have added to it when his fine lobbed shot ended up in the back of the Milan net. The goal was chalked off for offside but it served as a warning that Chelsea were not done. Their first real setback of the half was when Fofana went off nursing a knee injury after a challenge on Rafael Leao. He was replaced by Trevoh Chalobah.
Milan waited until almost the stroke of half time to register a first shot on target. Leao powered into the Chelsea box and picked out Charles De Ketelaere. His shot was saved and Rade Krunic could not score from his follow-up.
Chalobah tried to crown the start of the second half with a bicycle kick. The attempt was unsuccessful but got a hearty cheer from the Stamford Bridge faithful nonetheless. Aubameyang doubling Chelsea’s lead understandably got a bigger one. After scoring his first goal for the club at the weekend, the striker bullied ex-Chelsea man Fikayo Tomori to hammer home a Reece James cross.
James turned from provider to goalscorer five minutes later. Lumpen passing in midfield from Milan saw a finely honed attacking move finished with a Raheem Sterling ball wide to his right back. James slammed home at the near post with what looked like the hammer-blow for Milan’s chances of leaving London with any points.
By the end of Thomas Tuchel’s tenure in the Chelsea dugout, confidence had hit rock bottom. It appears that self-belief is the first thing Potter has restored in this group of players. There is no talent deficit at Chelsea. Tuchel led the majority of these players to a Champions League win less than a year and a half ago. But making them play like a team capable of winning such lofty prizes again starts with the mental side of the game. It looks like Potter is beginning to convince Chelsea they belong at the very top once again.
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