Chelsea's new strike partnership both scored at Stamford Bridge as the Blues saw out pre-season with a well-deserved 4-1 victory over AC Milan.
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ToggleA great summer for Enzo Maresca's Chelsea continued as AC Milan were soundly beaten 4-1 at Stamford Bridge in both sides' final match of pre-season. New striker Liam Delap scored twice off the bench while Joao Pedro was also on the scoresheet for the Blues in a confident display by the whole team. Young Milan defender Andrei Coubis scored a fifth-minute own goal and was sent off for a last-man foul on Pedro which left his side with a mountain to climb.
Chelsea began rapidly and took the lead after mere minutes, as 21-year-old Coubis scored an unfortunate own goal from a dangerous Reece James free-kick. After the delivery floated over several Milan heads, Coubis could not sort his feet out in time to avoid diverting the ball past Mike Maignan.
After just eight minutes it was two, Pedro continuing a rapid start to his Blues career with a smart header from Pedro Neto's cross from the right. Milan had come into the game on the back of a positive pre-season which included victory over Liverpool, but they did not know what had hit them. Things went from bad to worse before the 20-minute mark as Coubis completed a day to forget with his dismissal for dragging down Pedro after a ball over the top left him with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Cole Palmer began to put his stamp on proceedings against the 10 men, a clever nutmeg on Youssouf Fofana sandwiched between two free-kick attempts, one of which struck the post while the other went inches wide. The 23-year-old then saw an audacious scissor-kick volleyed attempt flash just over the top corner of the Milan net with Maignan well-beaten. Rafael Leao had a goal disallowed for offside as the visitors rarely threatened in the first period.
Luka Modric came on for his Milan debut at half-time as the Italians looked to get back into the game. They should have got a goal back when Fofana rounded Robert Sanchez, but the French midfielder combined with Alexis Saelemaekers to pass up the golden opportunity. The game was soon taken away from the away side when substitute Estevao was dragged down in the box and Delap stepped up to confidently fire home from the spot.
Milan did get on the scoresheet when Fofana found the net at the near post following a slipped through-ball by Saelemaekers. Chelsea gave an opportunity to several new boys late on, Estevao particularly impressing in his cameo off the bench, before Delap scored his second with the last kick of the game to ensure the Blues ended their pre-season campaign in good spirits.
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Chelsea were strong across the pitch with a standout first-half performance by Palmer amongst others, but the man who has won the day is no doubt Delap. To score in front of your new supporters for the first time is a big moment for any striker, to do it twice within half an hour is the perfect way to set up a strong season in front of goal. His celebration after finding the net from the spot showed how much it meant to the 22-year-old to get off the mark at Stamford Bridge. Pedro also scored once again and the Blues look to have a devastating new strike-force on their hands.
Jamie Gittens made his first start for Chelsea and showed glimpses of threat, though his end product was not quite there when given three good opportunities in front of goal. Delap and Pedro continued impressive starts to life in Blue, while 18-year-old Estevao shone with several moments of quality after he came off the bench on the hour mark. Jorrel Hato and Dario Essugo also made cameo appearances late on.
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While there were no young academy prospects on show from the start, the likes of 19-year-old Josh Acheampong, 16-year-old Reggie Walsh and 19-year-old Tyrique George appeared off the bench in the second half as the Blues continued to show the strength of their academy. The number of young players on the pitch by the end really epitomised what Maresca is trying to do at the club – and so far it is working.