Three wins on the bounce. Top of the group. Through to the knockout stages. Not bad for a coach who had never even attended a game in the Champions League before this season.
Chelsea put on one of their best displays since Thomas Tuchel was sacked nearly two months ago in a 2-1 win over Salzburg that extended Graham Potter’s impressive unbeaten start.
The Blues sacked Tuchel following an embarrassing defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on a night when the German coach admitted “everything was missing”.
In contrast, the first 45 minutes on Tuesday night felt almost complete. Aubameyang and Havertz causing havoc up front. Gallagher fizzing around in midfield. Silva titanic at the back. A rejuvenated Kepa continuing his fine form between the sticks.
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But for Phillip Kohn in the Salzburg net, the game would have been put to bed by half time.
Chelsea carved Salzburg open on more than one occasion in the first half, with the cunning movement of Sterling and Aubameyang stretching the pitch and Havertz’s neat passing finding gaps.
While they looked most likely to score on the counter-attack, it ended up being a wonderful piece of improvisation that opened their account.
A worldie out of nowhere…
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 25, 2022
Mateo Kovacic puts Chelsea 1-0 in the lead with this first-time screamer!!#UCL pic.twitter.com/dTZ0zGMvnu
As a move broke down on the edge of the Salzburg box, the ball fell unexpectedly to Mateo Kovacic. With only a split-second to react, the Croatian leant back and guided the ball into the top corner with his left foot on the half-volley.
It gave Chelsea a deserved lead and it was one they should have doubled in a dominant opening half, with Havertz and Aubameyang missing good chances shortly afterwards – and it was a wastefulness they would soon come to regret.
The Blues got a taste of their own medicine shortly after half time as Salzburg scored a brilliant breakaway goal, with Junior Adamu converting Maximilian Wober’s fine cross.
Chelsea regained their composure though and eventually took the lead again as Havertz gathered the ball on the edge of the box and struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
"Now that is just brilliant!"
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 25, 2022
Kai Havertz casually yet spectacularly whips the ball into the top corner to put Chelsea 2-1 up…#UCL pic.twitter.com/QlTsP1HhH8
The end of the game was far from comfortable but Potter will be pleased that a defensive doggedness complimented their attacking elan at the start.
“They showed grit, they showed resilience, they showed quality, they showed togetherness,” Joe Cole said of his former side on BT Sport.
“It was a fantastic performance. All the subs came on and played their part. It’s a good night and another comfortable group stage performance from Chelsea. Graham Potter will be absolutely delighted with his night’s work.”
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle added: “I thought they were brillaint tonight. I thought first half they dominated, every individual on the pitch was playing well. For me, the character they showed, Chelsea didn’t panic [after the equaliser], they just played their way… a very, very professional performance.”
Champions League results
- Red Bull Salzburg 1-2 Chelsea
- Dinamo Zagreb vs AC Milan (8pm)
- Celtic vs Shakhtar Donetsk (8pm)
- RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid (8pm)
- Sevilla 3-0 FC Copenhagen
- Borussia Dortmund vs Man City (8pm)
- Benfica vs Juventus (8pm)
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Maccabi Haifa
More to follow…
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