The home side attacked from the kick-off and even won a corner, but after that, the pattern of the game was immediately established, with Chelsea on attack and Legia sitting back with all players behind the ball.
Chelsea set to work in breaking down their massed ranks, a line of five and a line of four within the width of the penalty area, in their defensive third.
Predictably, opportunities were few and far between, but after about 30 minutes of running into that brick wall, Dewsbury-Hall almost scored a spectacular curling effort that the goalkeeper tipped wide acrobatically. From the resulting corner, Christopher Nkunku should’ve had a penalty after he was pulled down inside the six-yard box trying to reach a ball headed down by Badiashile, but the referees were uninterested (or asleep in the VAR booth).
Just before half, it was KDH again who came close to scoring, but mistimed his wide open header in the center of the box as the ball hit his shoulder and bounced wide.
Just after the half, it was KDH again who came close to scoring, but misdirected his wide open header in the center of the box. At least this time he hit it with his head.
Thankfully, the breakthrough would come soon after, with Tyrique George pouncing on a rebound given up by the goalkeeper off of long-range effort from Reece James. Always follow the shots, kids!
With the dam broken, Chelsea piled on the pressure, and would score a few more times. We even had the luxury of not converting a penalty.
Legia offered very, very little, and only very, very late on.
The second leg should be a formality.
Carefree.
- Enzo Maresca certainly prioritizing the Premier League in this one, with a well-rotated lineup, and Palmer and Madueke with just 45 minutes of work each.
- James with another hour in the legs. Colwill with the armband afterwards
- Minutes for Amougou and Mheuka at the end, too
- Madueke into double figures now for goals on the season, in all competitions
- Two assists for Sancho, and even a shot on target!
- Another clean sheet! (One good save from Jorgensen at the end; not much to do for him before then)
- Next up: Ipswich Town at home on Sunday
- KTBFFH
