Chelsea were in a scintillating form as they beat Serie A Champions 3:0 to keep their hope of scaling through the group stage alive.
Graham Potter turned to face his bench as the third goal of the night was scored, clapping even louder than normal and grinning broadly as he grabbed his first Champions League win in his managerial career.
The declarative outcome, the actual start of a new age, was here. Football has been on hold thus far, followed by a dismal draw with Salzburg; a break; and then a late victory at Crystal Palace, which brought comfort rather than takeoff.
This was unique. Italy’s champions were soundly and rightfully defeated by a Premier League side which has been struggling for consistency.
This outcome restored the fans hope in Chelsea under the club’s new manager Graham Potter. During the game, Chelsea embodied everything that they frequently do not – powerful, decisive, and clinical display.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also scored, making it two straight games he has found the back of the net for his new club. What an impact a striker can have.
Chelsea was up at the break, but AC Milan were sent to the cleaners in the second half when The Blues scored twice in as many minutes.
Both were skillfully completed with the fearlessness that Chelsea has frequently lacked in recent seasons. Romelu Lukaku who is now on loan at Inter Milan was expected to have the solution, but he did not. Now, Aubameyang is expected to lead the club out of the inability to be consistent in front of goal.
We know how he tapered off at Arsenal, but it may be different for him at Chelsea just like in his short spell at FC Barcelona. He wants to make a point in English football.
Talking about the UEFA Champions League game proper, Wesley Fofana gave Chelsea the lead in the 24th minute which was his first goal for Chelsea since his summer move to the club.
Afterward, Chelsea continued to dominant the game untill towards the end of the first half when AC Milan almost equalised but Ben Chilwell was at alert to clear Chelsea’s defense.
In the second half, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell dramatically overhit a cross from the left in the 56th minute, which caused it to find Reece James on the right.
Aubameyang received his cross perfectly, cutting across Fikayo Tomori at the near post, and then buried the ball right away to double Chelsea’s lead.
Raheem Sterling was fortunate to be on the receiving end of a tackle that ran to James in the 62nd minute, who was having one of his greatest games in the colors of the Blues.
James took a shot from a narrow angle into the roof of the net despite the cross being on. The goal was the nail on the coffin as AC Milan failed to give a competitive response.
Hence, Chelsea won the game 3-0 to move out of the bottom of Champions League Group E. They are now occupying the second spot with four points in three games just like third placed AC Milan.
Indeed, Milan appeared to perform worst against set pieces during the game. But one of the talking point in the game was the breath-taking performance of Chelsea’s prospect, Rafael Leão of AC Milan who gave Chelsea’s defense a hand full of defensive problems.
Another talking point was Fikayo Tomori who was solid for AC Milan despite the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. His performance in the game made the People who doubt Gareth Southgate’s judgment to wonder why the England head coach doesn’t give Fikayo Tomori, who is Milan’s defensive anchor, more playing time.
Perhaps because Tomori isn’t the type of soldier who excels at set pieces, which play a significant role in England’s arsenal.
Throughout the Champions League game, AC Milan only managed one shot and played second fiddle for the whole of the game as Chelsea beat the Italian champions 3-0.
The England combination of Mount, James, and Sterling always appeared to be a threat on the break for Chelsea.
Silva, as well as Fofana prior to his injury, were both great in attack and defense.
A triumphant victory for Graham Potter who looks to continue in these feats after narrowly escaping as draw against Crystal Palace last weekend.
