Chelsea continue to show why they are one of the strongest blocks in Europe, clinching a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, marking Romelu Lukaku’s first goal scorer at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian forward, who has returned to Chelsea this season, had previously played eight games at the ‘Blue temple, as a local player and as a rival, but had not scored, until this Saturday.
Lukaku was quick to liven up the scoreboard and did so in the 15th minute, taking advantage of a spectacular pass between the lines by Mateo Kovacic. The Belgian faced a defender, left him lying with a feint and beat Jed Steer, replacement for Emilian Martínez, still in Croatia avoiding quarantine in the United Kingdom.
This match also marked the debut of Saúl Ñíguez with the Chelsea shirt, but the Spanish midfielder was more than unfortunate, losing the ball several times in risky areas and unable to adapt to the rhythm of the game. He was replaced by Jorginho at halftime.
With Edouard Mendy saves, Chelsea held on until the second half, when Kovacic picked up a gift from Tyronne Mings, a bad assignment, to anticipate Steer and make it 2-0.
Already in added time, a play by César Azpilicueta on a wing made it 3-0, with a hard shot from Lukaku, who closed his double.
Chelsea, after four rounds, is placed second in the table, with ten points, the same as Manchester United, but with worse goal difference. Villa falls to twelfth position with four units. EFE (HN)