PEDRO NETO and Enzo Fernandez sunk Los Angeles FC to open Chelsea’s Club World Cup account with a win.
Portuguese wizard Neto was at his tricky best as the Blues battled past the MLS side in Atlanta.
Enzo Maresca gave starts to Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson in the searing Georgian heat.
The Blues dominated the early stages against the nervy Americans, who packed in deep in front of a small band of noisy ultras from California.
Palmer and Jackson both went close as Maresca’s men began to take control.
And it was Neto who sealed the breakthrough, twisting and turning his marker inside out on the right side of the box.
The Portuguese winger sized up LA’s Hugo Lloris, before hammering past the ex-Spurs keeper at his near post.
Tempers flared at the break as Neto got into a shoving match with Denis Bouanga.
Both were lucky to avoid a card, with Reece James saving his team-mate from a potentially needless punishment.
And it was the lively Bouanga who almost levelled after the restart, with Robert Sanchez saving brilliantly with his legs after the Frenchman burst into the box.
LA called for some more French inspiration off the bench, bringing on Stamford Bridge legend Olivier Giroud.
Chelsea followed suit by bringing new £30million signing Liam Delap on for his debut.
Delap looked sharp and eager from the off, providing the second on a plate for Enzo Fernandez.
The England U21s star peeled off his marker and was released down the wing by Palmer.
Delap took one look up and chipped in a perfect cross for Fernandez to bundle in.
LA continued to show heart and should have at least grabbed a consolation.
Bouanga was released over the top late in the contest, only to fire straight at Sanchez.
And there was still time for Neto to slam the crossbar with a stunning strike in the final seconds.
It was job done for Maresca’s men, who now face Brazil’s Flamengo on Friday in control of Group D.
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