ENZO Maresca showed Jose Mourinho there is a new sheriff in town as Chelsea picked up their first three Champions League points of the season.
After a sloppy start in which they nearly conceded to Benfica’s Richard Rios, it was the Colombian who opened the scoring by putting the ball in his own net, as opposed to Chelsea’s.
A perfect Pedro Neto cross was cut back by Alejandro Garnacho and Ríos couldn’t help but turn it in to give the Blues the lead.
Of course, with a Mourinho return came some drama, and that was in the form of a march down the touchline to tell his own fans to stop throwing missiles at former Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez before half-time.
Both managers rang in the changes after the break, but neither were able to create a second goal in a match that simmered the longer it went on.
Not that it will bother Maresca at all, who will be pleased with a clean sheet, three points and one over Mourinho.
Here’s how SunSport Chelsea reporter Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 5
A very quiet night in truth for Robert Sanchez, who was rarely called into action.
His passing from the back left something to be desired, though, with numerous mistakes in the first half alone.
MALO GUSTO – 5
Fans were fuming at Maresca’s decision to start Malo Gusto after his performance against Brighton, but it paid off as Reece James was afforded a rest ahead of the visit from Liverpool here on Saturday.
Was shaky on the ball, but all in all fairly solid defensively and pressed high up the pitch, winning the ball back several times.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 5
Going through a tough spell at the moment, following a red card at the weekend, Chalobah needed a performance like this.
Good on the ball, and tough when required, up against a handful in Vangelis Pavlidis – the Englishman was solid tonight, especially in the air in the closing moments when Benfica really ramped up the pressure.
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 7
His first start for Chelsea since the Club World Cup, and he was rock solid at the back.
Composed on the ball, and good in the tackle when needed, if he can keep up performances like that, he may well be the solution to Maresca’s Levi Colwill dilemma ‘from within’.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
A poor early back pass saw the Spaniard fortunate not to be punished in a similar way recent mistakes, as Dodi Lukebakio struck the post to spare him.
Improved from there on though and looked more like the Cucurella Chelsea fans adore.
Numerous sliding tackles, decent progression down the left side and not many mistakes, a solid performance from the Spaniard.
FACUNDO BUONANOTTE – 4
Very, very quiet before being substituted early in the second half for Estevao.
Was virtually non-existent in Chelsea’s build-up when he was on the pitch, and looked a little out of his depth physcially against a tough Benfica midfield.
MOISES CAICEDO – 8
A fairly run-of-the-mill Moises Caicedo performance at this point, which is to a very high standard.
The Ecuadorian midfielder was a doubt for this match, carrying a knock since the start of the season, but he doesn’t play like a man struggling in the slightest.
Combative in the air and on the ground, and just moving the ball steadily and consistently in the middle of the park – winning the ball back for him is simply second nature.
Chelsea would be lost without him, so need to prioritise his fitness where possible.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 5
Facing a visit from his former club, Fernandez was pelted by projectiles by the visiting fans when he took a corner in front of them, and booed almost every time he touched the ball.
Picked up a yellow card in the first half, and while he wasn’t bad on the ball or defensively, he didn’t add the kind of impact we have seen from him this season offensively.
PEDRO NETO – 8
Went close with a shot from outside the box early on, before delivering an expert cross right on to the boot of the outstretched Alejandro Garnacho, who forced Richard Rios to turn it into his own net.
Remained a constant threat throughout and was Chelsea’s best attacker with threatening crosses and shots from range – without him, Maresca would likely have been left with just a point.
TYRIQUE GEORGE – 4
It’s telling that a teenage winger, who is a product of the Cobham academy and was almost sold by the Blues on deadline day, is now playing as a starting number nine for Chelsea in the Champions League.
He was toothless, in all honesty, but you have to feel for him somewhat because he is out of position, doing a job for his boyhood club.
It’s baffling that Marc Guiu is still yet to play a minute since being re-called.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
It may not go down as his first goal for Chelsea, but Garnacho did brilliantly to latch on to an in-swinging Pedro Neto cross, cut the ball back, and create the opener.
He did his part, but faded after the goal, looking more like the Garnacho of last season.
Unfortunately, his highlight of the second half was a shot fired over the crossbar from long range, that may well be discovered by a Benfica player when they land back in Portugal.
SUBSTITUTES
ESTEVAO (for Buonanotte, 54) – 6
Came close to finding the back of the net with a header after coming on, but didn’t get on the ball an awful lot.
Was often crowded out in the middle of the pitch, similarly to Buonanotte before him, and looks more of a threat on the right wing.
A run through almost the entire Benfica midfield towards the end of the game was a reminder of the immense talent in the Brazilian sensation’s boots, when he is platformed to use them correctly.
JOAO PEDRO (for George, 61) – 3
Tyrique George was toothless, but in all honesty, so was Joao Pedro.
Didn’t really create anything of note, or threaten the goal at all in a second half mostly made up of Chelsea defending or holding possession.
And then he got himself suspended with a silly late challenge to pick up his second booking – despite being on the pitch for just over half an hour.
He was booked for a foul before a second yellow card saw him sent off for Chelsea’s third red card in FOUR games.
Simply ridiculous, he will miss the visit of Ajax.
JAMIE GITTENS (for Garnacho, 61) – 4
A dangerous runner at times with the ball at his feet, but failed to really impact the game with any significance after coming on for Garnacho.
His final ball just seems a little off the pace more often than not, with Stamford Bridge not the most forgiving of crowds when it comes to that.
Wasteful.
REECE JAMES (for Gusto, 80) – 6
Made a crucial block almost immediately after coming on.
While he didn’t have much time to make an impact, he was solid defensively and will surely be favoured for a start against Liverpool at the weekend.
JOSH ACHEAMPONG (for Badiashile, 80) – 5
Wasn’t really tested after coming on.
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