Chelsea maintained their 100% record in the UEFA Conference League following a big win over Panathinaikos. The Blues ran riot in Greece and responded perfectly from their narrow defeat to Liverpool just days ago.
Joao Felix scored twice at Athens Olympic Stadium, Mykhailo Mudryk had a hand in three goals on the night, and Christopher Nkunku got on the scoresheet too.
Chelsea started slowly and came close to going behind, but Enzo Maresca’s men turned it on in the second half and blew Panathinaikos away.
Chelsea dealt scare before the break
Panathinaikos nearly took the lead through Tin Jedvaj. He stole a march at the back post, headed across the face of goal and forced a good save from Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea finally woke up and broke the deadlock midway through the first half. Felix flicked a long ball from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Mudryk who drove into the box and squared the ball to Felix who couldn’t miss.
Chelsea only had a narrow advantage going into the break but would open up some daylight in the second half.
One-sided affair after the restart
Chelsea doubled their lead minutes into the second half through Mudryk. He headed home Pedro Neto’s cross from the right flank. Felix would bag his second and Chelsea’s third goal not long after that, firing a deflected effort beyond Jorgensen.
Nkunku scored Chelsea’s fourth goal from the spot before the hour mark after Felix forced a handball in the area. He confidently whipped his effort into the side netting and put the game beyond doubt.
Panathinaikos pulled a goal back in the 69th minute through Facundo Pellistri. He tapped in from close range after George Vagiannidis raced down the byline to cut the ball back. It was scant consolation, however, as Chelsea ran out big winners on the night.
