Chelsea vs AC Milan LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Chelsea are looking for their first Champions League win of the season as they host AC Milan
A significant win for Chelsea, but from a match that was nothing like the sort of grand Champions League encounter anticipated.
Graham Potter’s first season in the competition now looks that much more forgiving, and not just because he finally got that first victory in his second game and the club’s third this season. It was how easily that 3-0 win came or the fact they already go ahead of AC Milan. The Italian champions are supposed to be Chelsea’s biggest challenge, and a potentially huge obstacle in this group given how the English club have already dropped points to Dinamo Zagreb and Salzburg.
Except, this still isn’t Milan in the manner we imagined them. And this no longer looks the Chelsea of the last few weeks. Perhaps Conor Gallagher’s late winner against Crystal Palace released something. Perhaps it gave all the training ground work extra momentum. Perhaps it was down to how Milan are trying to work out a new place in the game. Either way, Chelsea were so much better than them. The contest should have been over by half-time, but it didn’t take too long after it for that to be the case. Potter’s side were able to cruise for the last half-hour.
Follow all the action from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on AC Milan:
Chelsea up to second in Group E
An important win and as long as they don’t suffer a big defeat next week, they’ll have a head-to-head advantage on Milan as well - a good night for Chelsea overall.
Group E standings:
- Salzburg 5 pts
- Chelsea 4 pts
- Milan 4 pts
- Dinamo 3 pts
Impressive Chelsea cruise to Champions League win over AC Milan
A significant win for Chelsea, but from a match that was nothing like the sort of grand Champions League encounter anticipated.
Graham Potter’s first season in the competition now looks that much more forgiving, and not just because he finally got that first victory in his second game and the club’s third this season. It was how easily that 3-0 win came or the fact they already go ahead of AC Milan. The Italian champions are supposed to be Chelsea’s biggest challenge, and a potentially huge obstacle in this group given how the English club have already dropped points to Dinamo Zagreb and Salzburg.
Except, this still isn’t Milan in the manner we imagined them. And this no longer looks the Chelsea of the last few weeks.
Perhaps Conor Gallagher’s late winner against Crystal Palace released something. Perhaps it gave all the training ground work extra momentum. Perhaps it was down to how Milan are trying to work out a new place in the game.
Either way, Chelsea were so much better than them. The contest should have been over by half-time, but it didn’t take too long after it for that to be the case. Potter’s side were able to cruise for the last half-hour.
Miguel Delaney was at Stamford Bridge:
Impressive Chelsea cruise to Champions League win over AC Milan
Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan: Reece James impressed at both ends of the pitch as the Blues put in their best performance under Graham Potter
Full time - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
And there’s the whistle - a first victory in the Champions League for Graham Potter and a first group stage victory for Chelsea.
They move onto four points, level with this Milan side - who they face again, in the San Siro, next time out.
Salzburg are on five, Dinamo on three.
Still lots to play for in this group.
89’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Two minutes added on. Origi heads over at the near post. Milan never close to scoring tonight other than that wild miss from Krunic before half-time.
Chelsea very dominant after the first 15 minutes or so.
85’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Into the closing stages of the game. More possession for Milan now but it’s pointless possession, allowed by the hosts and going nowhere.
Koulibaly then breaks forward and Chilwell has the chance to cross, but turns back and ensures his side can continue to see out time.
78’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
A cruise toward the finish line now for the hosts.
One or two of the late entrants might be hoping for a bit more goalmouth action but the tempo has dropped out of teh game since James’ strike. No surprise really, a very good job well done tonight for the Blues.
74’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
The changes keep coming, for Chelsea now. Havertz on for Mount, Armando Broja on for Sterling.
Jorginho takes a kick but he looks fine to continue.
70’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Milan make their final three changes. Rebic and Gabbia came on for Krunic and De Ketelaere earlier; now it’s Brahim Diaz, Divock Origi and Tommaso Pobega for Leao, Giroud and Bennacer.
Silva is booked for a foul on Leao but the free-kick comes off Giroud and it’s out for a goal kick, before he’s replaced.
66’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Conor Gallagher and Jorginho on for Kovacic and Aubameyang. Changes now for both sides with this game over and done with. Milan have been really disappointing.
GOAL! 61’ - Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan
Game over! Sterling picks up the loose ball, draws a defender and then releases Reece James - who runs in on goal and powers it high and hard past Tatarusanu.
No chance for the keeper, no organisation in the defence.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies