Potter delighted as Chelsea thump AC Milan

Published on: 06 October 2022

Chelsea's Champions League campaign kicked into gear with an emphatic and fully deserved win over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.

New manager Graham Potter knew victory was essential after a poor start to their group phase with defeat away by Dinamo Zagreb finishing Thomas Tuchel's reign before a draw at home to Red Bull Salzburg.

And Chelsea delivered in style, with England right-back Reece James the star man as they eventually overpowered Milan.

Wesley Fofana scored his first goal for the club after 24 minutes when Milan failed to clear a corner, although the £70m defender's night was soon ended by injury.

The Italians almost equalised right on half-time when Rade Krunic fired over with the goal at his mercy.

It was a rare anxious moment and the second half belonged to Chelsea, and James in particular, the right-back demonstrating why he commands such faith at club level and from England manager Gareth Southgate.

James was the provider after 56 minutes when he crossed for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to apply a simple finish, then he was the finisher five minutes later with a powerful strike which flew high past Milan keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu at his near post.

Potter later said: "It was a good night for us. We needed to play well. The attitude and application of the players was fantastic. It was a really important win for us.

"I thought we started off a bit nervous for about five minutes. It was just a result of us wanting to do so well. But then you saw the appetite of the players. We got control of it and had a bit of a threat. The first goal was important. We had to start a little on the back foot in the second half. We suffered a bit which was good and the second goal gave us a breather.

"Clean sheet, three goals. The personality of players was good."

On Wesley Fofana's injury, he added: "We'll have to scan it tomorrow. See how it is. Nothing to report at the moment. The one disappointing thing of the evening.

"It was a good performance from the team overall. Apart from the end of the first half, they didn't have many chances. It says a lot about how we defended as a unit. It was an important win but still a long way to go in the competition.

"The boys have been really open, responsible, honest and fantastic to work with. They realised they weren't at the levels. That's great from a coach's perspective."

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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