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Chelsea secured a comfortable 4-2 win against KAA Gent in Round 1 of the UEFA Conference League played at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, October 3.
Attacking from right to left in the first period, Chelsea started the game with great energy and vigour as they looked to make a strong start in the Conference League. They grabbed a 1-0 lead after just 12 minutes as Mykhaylo Mudryk's cross found left back Renato Veiga, who nodded into the far post for a simple goal.
With over 70% possession, the Blues ought to have created more, and they did, but could not convert their chances. Gent, on the other hand, had just one attempt on target in the first half. Chelsea's nine shots were in vain as they only managed two attempts on target in a lackluster first-half showing.
The hosts led 1-0 at the interval.
Chelsea began the second half as they did the first, with captain Axel Disasi playing a lovely lofted pass to release Pedro Neto into space. The Portuguese winger then smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 within a minute of the restart. Gent quickly found a reply courtesy of Andri Gudjohnsen's cross that Tsuyoshi Watanabe converted with a header to make it 2-1 after 50 minutes.
However, the Blues refused to allow Gent a path back into the contest as Veiga was involved in the build up once again. His layoff found Christopher Nkunku, who ran in and smashed a low effort that had too much power for Davy Roef to keep out as Chelsea led 3-1. Just seven minutes later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall bagged a deserved goal in a repeat of the move for the third to make it 4-1.
Both managers made a host of changes as the game looked done and dusted. However, Gent had one last roll of the dice as Max Dean's cutback for Omri Gandelman led to a consolation goal in the 90th minute. Chelsea won 4-2 and on that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Filip Jorgensen - 6.5/10
Jorgensen made just one save in a game dominated by Chelsea's attacking play.
Axel Disasi - 7/10
Disasi was off color on the defensive end as he won just one of seven duels, but made amends with a lovely assist for Neto's goal.
Tosin Adarabioyo - 7.5/10
Adarabioyo was excellent in defense and let nothing past him as he won all four of his duels. He also passed the ball with 97% accuracy.
Benoit Badiashile - 7/10
Badiashile won one duel and made one clearance and one interception. He passed the ball with 94% accuracy, including two key passes.
Renato Veiga - 9.5/10
The 21-year-old Portuguese full back scored Chelsea's opener just 12 minutes into the contest. He also assisted Nkunku's goal in the second half. He also won all six of his duels, making two clearances and two interceptions in a complete performance.
Cesare Casadei - 6.5/10
Casadei passed the ball with 98% accuracy including one key pass in a decent performance.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 8.5/10
Dewsbury-Hall was eager to venture forward and came close to scoring in the first half, but eventually bagged a goal in the second period. He also won six duels and completed three dribbles in an exciting performance.
Pedro Neto - 8.5/10
Neto had a great game as he scored Chelsea's second goal. He also passed the ball with 97% accuracy, including five key passes and a peach of a cross that almost became an assist. He also won three duels.
Joao Felix - 7/10
Joao Felix showed some silky footwork at times as he completed two dribbles. He also played the pass that led to the Blues' fourth goal. Felix also won six duels.
Mykhaylo Mudryk - 7.5/10
Mudryk provided an early assist for Veiga's goal, followed by another key pass later in the game as well as two accurate crosses. He also won three duels.
Christopher Nkunku - 7/10
Nkunku had only 17 touches of the ball despite playing 80 minutes but scored with his only shot on target.
Substitutes
Marc Guiu - 6.5/10
He replaced Nkunku in the 80th minute when the game was already put to bed and did not have any scope to make an impact.
Tyrique George - 7/10
George put in an electric cameo in the end that would have excited Blues boss Enzo Maresca as he completed three dribbles and won three duels.
