Chelsea and Graham Potter picked up their first Champions League win of the season as they claimed a comfortable win over AC Milan to take them back to back into the qualification spots in Group E.
AC Milan started the brighter of the two sides, but it was the Blues that had the better chances, with both Mason Mount and Thiago Silva forcing saves from Tatarasanu in the Milan goal.
Graham Potter’s side grew into the game and after successive corners Wesley Fofana tapped in his debut goal from four yards out following a scramble, handing his side the lead in the process.
The Blues thought that they had doubled their lead when Mason Mount lobbed Tatarasanu from 7 yards out, only for the offside flag to bring a premature end to celebrations and hand the visitors another lifeline.
The visitors had a chance to restore parity late in the first half, but Krunic fired over from just four yards out after some great work from Chelsea target Rafael Leao.
The second half began in similarly comfortable fashion for the hosts, as they restricted the Serie A champions before some poor defending from Fiyako Tomori and Fode Ballo-Toure allowed Potter’s side to double their lead just before the hour, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tucking home a cross from Reece James.
Provider turned scorer for the Blues moments later, as Reece James blasted home from eight yards out following some great work from Mason Mount
It is a result that moves the Blues back into contention for top spot in the group, and with a win in the return leg next week, Potter’s side would be confident of doing just that.
Here’s how 101 rated the two teams.
Player ratings
Chelsea
GK: Kepa - 6
Made a good save late in the first half but was otherwise largely untested.
RWB: Reece James - 8
Far from his best in the first half but fantastic in the second half, grabbing a goal and an assist.
CB: Wesley Fofana - 7
Opened his Chelsea account with an instinctive poke but lasted just 36 minutes before being forced off with injury.
CB: Thiago Silva - 8
A menace in both boxes, Thiago Silva did his job at the back well while also proving a threat from set pieces as he won two or three headers in the first half.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly - 6
Looked shaky in the opening minutes, but improved as the game went on, though he wasn’t really tested in truth.
LWB: Ben Chilwell - 6
The quieter of the two wing-backs, he lacked the attacking verve of Reece James but then most do. Solid defensively.
CM: Mateo Kovacic - 6
Was solid and carried the ball well but his final ball let him down on occasion, especially in the first half.
CM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 7
Is he finally beginning to realise his immense talent? The Englishman had a strong outing in the heart of Chelsea’s midfield, and could have a big role to play in Graham Potter’s Chelsea side.
CAM: Mason Mount - 8
Forced a fine save in the opening minutes and was central to much of Chelsea’s good work in his more central position.
ST: Raheem Sterling - 7
Worked hard for little reward, the Englishman was a threat throughout and showed some good hold up play to set up Reece James for Chelsea’s third.
ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6
Didn’t have a particularly great night leading the line but grabbed his goal in typical poacher’s fashion to make it 2-0 and seal the victory.
Substitutes:
Trevoh Chalobah - 7
Replaced Fofana in the first half and didn’t put a foot wrong.
Conor Gallagher - 6
Was solid but did little to suggest he should start the return fixture.
Jorginho - 6
Given a run out after picking up an injury at the weekend, he was a steady hand in the final minutes.
Kai Havertz - 6
Solid when coming on, kept the ball well.
Armando Broja - 6
Put himself about without creating anything.
AC Milan
GK: Ciprian Tatarasanu - 6
Could do nothing about any of the goals, and showed some solid footwork without really offering any poignant passes.
RB: Sergino Dest - 5
The Barcelona loanee is yet to find his feet in Milan and put in another sub-par performance for his parent side in Calabria’s absence.
CB: Pierre Kalulu - 5
The young Frenchman had a tough night alongside Tomori and struggled to deal with the driving runs of Mason Mount.
CB: Fikayo Tomori - 5
A poor return to Stamford Bridge for Tomori, who looked a little off the pace and he was visibly frustrated by his options in midfield.
LB: Fode Ballo-Toure - 4
Was solid in the first half but massively struggled with Reece James in the second. Got no help from his attackers.
CDM: Sandro Tonali - 5
The Italian was industrial but seemed to struggle to dictate the play in his usual manner, with he and Bennacer struggling to work in tandem.
CDM: Ismael Bennacer - 4
Couldn’t really get his side moving in the right direction, squandered possession in his own box in the first half and consistently lost Thiago Silva from corners, with the third time proving decisive.
RW: Rade Krunic - 4
Missed a glorious late first-half chance to level the scores when firing over from four yards out. Was poor otherwise.
CAM: Charles De Keteleare - 5
A quiet night for the Belgian, who couldn’t get into the game in any capacity.
LW: Rafael Leao - 6
Milan’s best attacking threat by some distance, but left them exposed defensively and could not translate his impressive work in the final third into anything credible.
ST: Olivier Giroud - 4
Was given no service whatsoever, and lacks the mobility to create his own chances.
Substitutes:
Ante Rebic - 6
Some tidy footwork without actually creating anything.
Matteo Gabbia - 5
Offered nothing when he came on.
Brahim Diaz - 6
Was a threat when he came on with some neat footwork, but the game was already lost.
Divock Origi - 5
A step too far even for the supersub, who hardly touched the ball after coming on.
Tomasso Pobega - 5
Came on with the game lost and offered little to suggest that he should have started.
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