Chelsea emphasised the depth of talent available to head coach Enzo Maresca as their second-string XI eased to a stylish 4-2 win over Gent at Stamford Bridge to kick-off their Conference League campaign.
The Italian changed his entire starting team from Saturday’s win over Brighton and there was a palpable sense of players desperate to stake their claim to a regular starting berth.
Defender Renato Veiga started the party with an early headed goal, his first for the club, before Pedro Neto rifled in a second moments after half-time.
Beginning our #UECL campaign with a W! ✊#CFC pic.twitter.com/qIx6kE01RN
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 3, 2024
Japan international Tsuyoshi Watanabe exposed Chelsea’s backline to briefly restore Gent’s interest in the match, giving Maresca something to think about the ease with which the defender had evaded his team’s backline.
But defensive lapses were the only sour note on an otherwise impressive night, Christopher Nkunku continuing his fine goalscoring form to make it 3-1 whilst Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also netted for the first time in blue, before a late Omri Gandelman consolation for Gent.
Chelsea’s 300th European fixture did not bring the most illustrious opponents, the team that finished seventh in last season’s Belgian Pro League a far cry from the most recent visitors to this ground in the main rounds of a UEFA competition, Real Madrid.
Chelsea completed a 4-0 aggregate loss that night in April 2023, but Gent were a challenge of a lesser order and after weathering early pressure fell behind after 12 minutes, Dewsbury-Hall threading a lovely ball through the channel into Mykhailo Mudryk’s path, the winger’s back-post cross gratefully nodded home by the arriving Veiga.
Maresca had challenged his players to use these European nights to prove their worth and plenty in blue had heeded their head coach’s words, Neto on the right wing a rampaging threat with fleetness of foot to match, whilst Nkunku and Joao Felix hummed with creative energy.
Yet it was Gent that almost levelled via a familiar name. Atsuki Ito knocked the ball to the feet of Andri Gudjohnsen, son of former Blues striker Eidur, who took a touch to come inside the penalty area and hammered a shot that cleared the crossbar by inches.
It took less a minute of the second half for Chelsea to double their lead and it was the impressive Neto, bursting in off the touchline to collect Axel Disasi’s ball over the top, that scored it, evading the attentions of defender Watanabe, whose challenge was weak, and lashing it in at the near post.
If Chelsea’s attacking players had impressed, then there was less for Maresca to feel buoyant about from his defence.
No sooner had the game restarted than Watanabe had made amends for his part in the second goal, wandering into space inside the box, ignored by his closest defender Tosin Adarabioyo, before heading past Filip Jorgensen. In truth, any one of three unmarked Gent players could have applied the finish.
Pure passion. 😤#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/8ijwttjk9N
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 3, 2024
The two-goal lead was restored just past the hour mark though the hosts could count themselves lucky. Veiga appeared to lose control of the ball as he shaped to shoot, and it broke fortuitously to Nkunku who rocketed onto it to score his fourth goal in two starts with a shot that squirmed through the body of goalkeeper Davy Roef.
Dewsbury-Hall added the fourth after Stefan Mitrovic’s tackle on Nkunku dropped at his feet, clipping it home with his instep for his first Chelsea goal.
Substitute Gandelman knocked in a 90th-minute consolation but it could not take the sheen off Maresca’s night.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres, Sesko and Arsenal now Tottenham have made a bid worth £70 million for Mbeumo Inter Miami ready for FIFA Club World Cup "Arrogant" vs "Style" Guess who is he Only the real ones will understand this The top four loaned things in the world Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfoot...
Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days.That meant the Iran international was unable to take his schedule...
WHAT HAPPENED?Manchester United have accelerated talks in the last two days as they target the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato. The Red Devils have reportedly intensified discussions with the player's agent and have made contact with the club regarding the potential terms of a deal for the Frenchman.THE BIGGER PICTUREA strike...
Viktor Gyokeres has snubbed a move to Manchester United, as per reports from Portugal.The Swedish forward was rumoured to be linking up with Old Trafford to join forces once more with ex-Sporting Lisbon gaffer Ruben Amorim. Record claims that Gyokeres has binned off the chance to don the famous Red Devils shirt, with his reps giving United the cold shoulder.Arsenal now seem to be at the front of t...
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Viktor Gyokeres' dream destination revealed after Man United snubViktor Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer after rejected the chance to join up with Ruben Amorim at Man United.The 27-year-old is increasingly likely to leave Sporting this summer despite ongoing issues with the Portuguese champions hierarchy.Man United are understood to have made an approach but w...
Gennaro Gattuso agrees to become new Italy managerGennaro Gattuso has reportedly agreed to take over the Italy national team, replacing Luciano Spalletti after his dramatic dismissal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old will become the new manager of the Italy national team following Spaletti’s departure.The former Napoli manager was let go following a string of disappointing resul...
'Very self-destructive' - Luis de la Fuente hits out at Lamine Yamal criticsSpain manager Luis de la Fuente has vented his frustrations at the country's "self-destructive" tendencies after recent criticism of youngster Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old was heavily critcised for an uncharacteristically quite showing in Spain’s penalty defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.Yamal remains arg...
Alisson rejects chance to leave LiverpoolLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has reportedly rejected an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray as he seeks to play out his contract at the Premier League club.According to Florian Plettenberg, Alisson, 32, had received a ‘concrete offer’ from the Turkish giants who are set to be very active this transfer window.The Brazilian has since rejected th...
Germany v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Third Place MatchFlorian Wirtz is set to become one of the top earners at Liverpool after his stunning £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.Van Dijk SalahWHAT HAPPENED?Accoridng to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old will earn a base salary of £195,000 a week. That could rise to more than £245,000 based on individual and team bonuses, representing a p...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans
- 10 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack