Chelsea kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a win over LAFC, but they had to be patient and needed their newest recruit off the bench.
LAFC only earned their place in the tournament at the end of May after winning the battle to claim Leon's vacated spot. But with less than three weeks' preparation, they admirably kept pace with and frustrated Chelsea, undeniably heavy favourites at kick-off.
With plenty of empty seats in the stands in Atlanta, Pedro Neto opened the scoring after 34 minutes, latching onto Nicolas Jackson's measured pass and firing low past Hugo Lloris at the near post. Jackson almost doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half, but then also came Robert Sanchez's first meaningful moment when he denied LAFC dangerman Denis Bouanga.
The Major League Soccer side were much improved as the game progressed, but Chelsea's superior quality ultimately shone through when Enzo Fernandez made certain of the 2-0 win late on. Liam Delap, an impressive figure after coming on, made the incisive run and clipped a floated cross into the box that the half-time substitute met on the volley.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Mercedes-Benz Stadium…
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Robert Sanchez (6/10):
Concentration was crucial as it was almost an hour before he was properly tested.
Reece James (6/10):
It's important to remember that the skipper missed most of the first half of the season through injury and only started 12 Premier League games. Another 45 minutes under his belt is a positive.
TosinAdarabioyo(7/10):
Made a vital interception to prevent a ball from making its way to Olivier Giroud at a time when LAFC were building momentum midway through the second half. Well worth his place in the team.
Levi Colwill (6/10):
Not massively tested and will consider this a comfortable job well done.
Marc Cucurella (7/10):
Combative and strong in the tackle. Made it very difficult for LAFC to create anything down his side of the pitch.
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Moises Caicedo (7/10):
A typical performance from the Ecuador international, dominating both sides of the ball in midfield.
Romeo Lavia (6/10):
Favoured over Enzo Fernandez in the starting XI and did well, completing the most passes of anyone in the first half. But he was replaced by the Argentine at the interval.
Cole Palmer (7/10):
Central to most of Chelsea's attacking play, knitting things together. But blazing over from a great position when the Blues could have done with a second goal was a chance begging.
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Pedro Neto (7/10):
Kept his composure marvellously well to open the scoring, opting against thrashing the effort and taking the extra time beat his marker to cut back. Denied a brace by the crossbar in stoppage time.
Noni Madueke (5/10):
A frustrating outing in which he showed plenty of promise but lacked the clinical or consistent quality to make it count when it mattered.
Nicolas Jackson (7/10):
Assisted Neto's breakthrough with an excellent pass after manufacturing space with good feet. Combined well with Palmer after a slow start.
AFPSubs & Manager
Malo Gusto (6/10):
Appeared from the bench at half-time in place of James, who had been booked.
Enzo Fernandez (7/10):
The only regular starter who had to make do with coming on as a sub. Assumed the captaincy when he did arrive in the game and led by example to score the second goal.
Tyrique George (5/10):
Disappointingly limited involvement.
Liam Delap (8/10):
A Chelsea debut for the summer signing from Ipswich Town. Decent level of industry, driving at LAFC in the right channel and bagged an assist.
Christopher Nkunku (N/A):
Probably would have liked more than a few minutes. But this is his status.
Dario Essuga (N/A):
A second Chelsea debut of the game as things wound down.
Enzo Maresca (6/10):
Even with Enzo Fernandez starting on the bench bench, there was no indication with his selection that Maresca was taking this anything less than 100% serious. Would have hoped for more intensity, especially when his pre-match message that this wouldn't be treated like a friendly.
