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Chelsea hammered Panathinaikos at the Spiros Louis Olympic Stadium in the group phase of the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, October 24. The result sees the Blues move to the top of the 36-team table, while their opponents drop down to 29th spot.
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Manager Enzo Maresca went with a strong lineup for Chelsea and they made a strong start to the game. With nearly 60% possession in the first half, the visitors looked to impose themselves on the proceedings and grabbed the lead midway through the first period. Mykhaylo Mudryk assited Joao Felix as the Portuguese forward scored to make it 1-0 after 22 minutes.
Panathinaikos did not create much at all in the first half as they managed just one shot on target from three attempts. Chelsea, on the other hand, were not much better as they could only manage two shots on target in a rather cagey first half between the two teams. However, with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, they were on the brink of scoring.
The Blues led Panathinaikos 1-0 at the interval.
Chelsea made a blistering start to the second period as Mudryk doubled their advantage with a goal just three minutes after the restart. Neto provided the assist for the goal. Just seven minutes later, they were on target once again, with Mudryk and Felix repeating the combination for the first goal. Daniel Mancini then conceded a penalty that Nkunku duly tucked away to make it 4-0.
With little to play for, Panathinaikos still committed men forward in search of a consolation goal. Former Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri finally pulled one back in the 69th minutes to make it 4-1 but it was too little, too late. Chelsea showed great character and determination to prevent further damage as Maresca made the necessary changes to help secure the win.
Several players on both teams were handed some key playing time as the Blues cruised to a 4-1 win away from home. On that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Filip Jorgensen - 7/10
The Chelsea custodian made just two saves throughout the game but was sharp in those moments.
Axel Disasi - 7/10
Disasi won three duels at the back, making two interceptions, one clearance and one block as well. He was booked in the last action of the match.
Benoit Badiashile - 7.5/10
Badiashile won three duels, making five clearances, two interceptions and one block. He also played eight long balls to expand the play for the Blues.
Renato Veiga - 7/10
Veiga won two duels, making four clearances, two interceptions and one block.
Marc Cucurella - 7/10
Cucurella won two duels, making three clearances in the process. He also played one accurate cross.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 7/10
He passed the ball with 88% accuracy, including one key pass. He also attempted one shot on target.
Enzo Fernandez - 7.5/10
Fernandez captained Chelsea and passed the ball with 94% accuracy, including one key pass. He also won four duels in the match.
Pedro Neto - 7/10
Neto passed the ball with 89% accuracy, including one key pass that turned out to be an assist. He also won three duels.
Mykhaylo Mudryk - 9/10
Mudryk had a great game for Chelsea as he scored one goal and provided two assists. He provided assists for both of Felix's goals, grabbing his own goal between the two. He also won four duels.
Christopher Nkunku - 7/10
Nkunku scored a penalty midway through the second half but was dormant apart from that as that was his only shot.
Joao Felix - 8.5/10
Felix was sharp and scored a brace with two clinical finishes. He also played eight long balls to help his team progress the ball forward with quickness.
Substitutes
Marc Guiu - 6.5/10
Guiu replaced Nkunku in the second period but was unable to make a similar impact to the game as the Frenchman.
Tyrique George - 6.5/10
George replaced Pedro Neto and put in a decent performance to help Chelsea see the game through to the end.
Cesare Casadei - 6.5/10
Casadei was brought on in place of Fernandez to give the Blues some fresh legs in midfield to secure the result.
Carney Chukwuemeka - 6.5/10
He came on for Dewsbury-Hall in the dying embers of the game and helped his team secure the win.
