Potter pleased to win first league game as Chelsea head coach
Chelsea host AC Milan at Stamford Bridge this evening as they attempt to get their Champions League campaign back on track following a terrible start to the competition. The Blues have taken just one point from their opening two fixtures – in a 1-1 draw with RB Salzburg - and sit bottom of Group E. They are three points behind Milan but can reign in the Italian side with a victory tonight.
However, Milan have only been beaten once so far this season and can solidify their place at the top of the group if they were to defeat the Blues in their own back yard. This clash will prove to be a stern test for manager Graham Potter, but he’ll be feeling confident after Chelsea came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at the weekend.
In Chelsea’s favour are the injury woes that afflict Stefano Pioli’s team. The manager faces significant fitness issues within his squad with defenders Davide Calabria and Simon Kjaer joining an injury list that also features the likes of Divock Origi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Pioli conceded that his side might be up against it tonight.
Follow all the action from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on AC Milan:
66’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Conor Gallagher and Jorginho on for Kovacic and Aubameyang. Changes now for both sides with this game over and done with. Milan have been really disappointing.
GOAL! 61’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Game over! Sterling picks up the loose ball, draws a defender and then releases Reece James - who runs in on goal and powers it high and hard past Tatarusanu.
No chance for the keeper, no organisation in the defence.
GOAL! 55’ - Chelsea 2-0 AC Milan
And there’s the second, surely a killer!
James gets space on the right and delivers a low cross, Tomori can’t cut the ball out and Aubameyang is there to prod home from close range.
50’ - Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan
Low-key start to the second half with Chelsea looking the more dangerous once more. No clear openings in the first few minutes and Milan still lacking the intensity or athleticism to really cause problems on the break.
46’ - Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan
Second half underway. No changes at the break and let’s see if Milan can be a bit more on the front foot in this half, or if Chelsea are going to get Potter a first-ever win in the Champions League.
45+4’ - Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan
How has Krunic missed?! It should be all square - Leao bursts past three into the box, tees up De Ketelaere, his shot is blocked by Kepa and Krunic somehow spurns the rebound.
Chelsea clear the corner and we’re at the break, half time.
45+2’ - Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan
Four minutes added on. Milan have yet to have a shot.
Sterling is suddenly in away behind the defence and looks for all the world as though he should slot home a second, but he can’t get it out of his feet in time for a clean finish and the defence crowd him out.
44’ - Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan
Sterling does brilliantly to evade his man, with Bennacer then dragging him back. Tomori protests and Milan earn another yellow card.
Chalobah does well against Leao to stop him getting into the box. Almost at the break now.
40’ - Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan
Chelsea turning up the heat on Milan heading towards the break. James clips over a cross which is cleared; Milan have barely been out of their own half for the past 20 minutes.
36’ - Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan
Disappointment for Fofana as he departs the pitch injured, stemming from a challenge with Leao a while ago. Looks like a knee issue.
Trevoh Chalobah is coming on in his place.