Chelsea hit 10-man Ajax for 5

Enzo Maresca’s gamble in making 10 adjustments paid off as Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo struck earlier than Enzo Fernandez and Estevao transformed from the penalty spot within the first half.

Tyrique George rounded off the scoring within the second half as Chelsea made it back-to-back Champions League wins after a gap evening defeat at Bayern Munich.

The Blues climb to eleventh within the desk, whereas Ajax stay rooted to the underside of the Champions League standings.

Ajax arrived in London with out a level or perhaps a objective thus far on this season’s Champions League.

With Chelsea bearing the brunt of an harm disaster on the again of successful the Club World Cup in July, Maresca clearly focused the go to of the four-time European champions as one he may afford to relaxation quite a few his key gamers for.

Only Romeo Lavia, who got here off at half-time on the City Ground, was retained from the facet that received 3-0 at Nottingham Forest on the weekend.

However, that included the return of Fernandez from harm, the membership’s report signing in Caicedo and Brazilian surprise child Estevao.

Ajax had been soundly overwhelmed by Inter Milan and Marseille of their opening two video games and noticed any hope of an upturn in fortunes disappear as soon as VAR intervened to see Taylor’s excessive problem on Facundo Buonanotte upgraded from a yellow to a pink card on quarter-hour.

Maresca needed to face questions on Chelsea’s self-discipline within the pre-match press convention after his facet had a person despatched off in 4 of their final six video games.

This time, they made the numerical benefit depend.

From the ensuing free-kick after Taylor’s dismissal, Guiu turned dwelling Wesley Fofana’s header again throughout the field.

Caicedo had simply three Chelsea objectives since his £115 million transfer from Brighton in 2023 previous to this season, however now has 4 already this marketing campaign.

The Ecuadorian had some success as his shot deflected in off Josip Sutalo.

Ajax had been briefly supplied a lifeline when Tosin Adarabioyo trod on the foot of Raul Moro and Wout Weghorst transformed from the penalty spot.

However, there have been two extra spot-kicks earlier than the break to permit Chelsea to kill the sport off.

Weghorst was penalised for a visit on Fernandez, who dusted himself off to fit dwelling.

Estevao then fired within the first of what are prone to be many Champions League objectives.

The 18-year-old received the penalty and confidently dispatched it excessive previous Remko Pasveer.

Maresca made 4 extra adjustments to begin the second half with Fernandez and Caicedo amongst these withdrawn.

George took simply three minutes to make his mark off the bench with a exact low end from Andrey Santos’s backheel.

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AFC Ajax

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