Match Report: Chelsea 3-0 Club America

Chelsea played very exciting football and won their first game under Enzo Maresca's leadership with a 3-0 victory against Club America.

A penalty scored by Christopher Nkunku and a first goal for Marc Guiu gave us a good lead at halftime, but it didn't accurately show how well Chelsea played in the first half.

The Blues played their best half yet under Maresca at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Club America tried to fight back after halftime, but the Blues still scored another penalty in the second half, thanks to Noni Madueke.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made his debut in the Chelsea midfield after recovering from injury.

The 25-year-old player was included in the starting line-up against Celtic along with three other changes. Tosin Adarabioyo returned as a centre-back, Malo Gusto started as left-back, and Raheem Sterling joined the team on the left side of the pitch.

Up until now with Maresca in charge, we have observed the right-back moving into a defensive midfield role while in control of the ball. However, when Gusto was chosen to play at left-back, we saw a change in positions on Wednesday evening. The French player moved to the other side and joined Romeo Lavia when our team had possession.

Lavia has played in all three games coached by Maresca, as Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were not able to play before. The young player had a significant influence at the beginning of the game, when he dribbled past an opponent after a partial clear, and then was fouled in the penalty area after beating another defender.

Nkunku confidently took the penalty kick and placed the ball straight down the center of the goal, giving his team an early 1-0 lead in just three minutes.

Lavia continued to impress with some nice moves, setting up Dewsbury-Hall who then passed to Marc Guiu. Unfortunately, Guiu's shot from 12 yards out lacked power and was saved easily by the goalkeeper.

Robert Sanchez had to make a quick save when a long shot was headed for the top corner of the goal. It was not a typical play for him to stop the ball.

Dewsbury-Hall's understanding of Maresca's tactics helped him consistently find himself in scoring opportunities, but he missed the mark with two shots in quick succession.

However, the midfielder's efforts were rewarded in the middle of the half when Sterling passed the ball to Dewsbury-Hall, who then chipped the ball to the near post where Guiu headed it in. The defender tried to stop the ball but instead unintentionally helped it into the back of the net.

Chelsea were consistently creating scoring opportunities against Club America. Noni Madueke and Sterling made threatening runs towards the goal, coming close to scoring. The Mexican champions had to rely on a defender's last-minute block to prevent Dewsbury-Hall from scoring after more impressive play from Chelsea, including a cross from the side by Nkunku.

Chelsea launched continuous attacks as the first half was coming to an end. They missed a chance for a third goal when Nkunku passed to Madueke on the right side, who crossed the ball back. Dewsbury-Hall slipped while trying to reach it, but Sterling was able to take a shot that was blocked. Gusto then missed the follow-up shot wide of the far post.

Club America had a chance to tie the game before halftime, but Javairo Dilrosun managed to create space on the left side of the penalty box and hit the crossbar with a curling shot.

Chelsea's strong offensive performance persisted as Madueke and Nkunku combined again, with the French player creating a chance that required Luis Angel Malagon to make a key save at the near post.

At the halfway point of the game, Filip Jorgensen made his debut and Enzo Fernandez came back on the field instead of Sanchez and Dewsbury-Hall.

Club America was able to even out the game in the second half, with only one shot from Lavia requiring a save from Malagon in the first 15 minutes after the break.

After the first hour, several new players joined the team. One of them, Armando Broja, had a shot that was deflected and barely missed going in the goal shortly after he came onto the field.

Broja had a perfect opportunity to score a third goal when he was set up by Madueke, but unfortunately, his shot missed the target.

The third goal finally came with a little over ten minutes left in the game. Nkunku made another risky play that led to him being fouled in the penalty area. Madueke then confidently scored with a chip shot into the top corner of the goal.

Club America almost scored a goal towards the end of the game, but Ben Chilwell made two great defensive plays just in time to stop them. Thanks to Chilwell's quick thinking, Jorgensen was able to keep a clean sheet in his first game with the team.

Chelsea is now looking ahead to Saturday's game against Manchester City at Ohio Stadium. You can still purchase general tickets here or opt for a Club Chelsea package instead.

You can also view it on the official Chelsea website and app for a price of £4.99. Find out more information by clicking here.

Chelsea's lineup for the match included Robert Sanchez as the goalkeeper, Reece James as the captain, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo as central defenders, Malo Gusto as the left-back, Romeo Lavia, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Christopher Nkunku in midfield, and Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu, and Raheem Sterling as the attacking trio.

12 Filip Jorgensen came in for Sanchez at the start of the second half, followed by 8 Enzo Fernandez replacing Dewsbury-Hall. 10 Mykhailo Mudryk then came on for Sterling in the 63rd minute, with 29 Wesley Fofana also entering the field for Badiashile. Substitutions continued as 19 Armando Broja took over for Guiu, 16 Lesley Ugochukwu for Lavia, 40 Renato Veiga for James, and 21 Ben Chilwell for Gusto. In the final minutes of the game, 41 Angelo came in for Nkunku, and 32 Tyrique George replaced Madueke.

Benchwarmers not used in the game: Marcus Bettinelli, Lucas Bergstrom, Eddie Beach, Josh Acheampong, Carney Chukwuemeka.

Achievements: Nkunku scored three goals, including one from a penalty kick, Guiu scored in the 21st minute, and Madueke scored in the 79th minute.

Reservations: Lavia scored in the 23rd minute, Nkunku scored in the 66th minute, and Madueke scored in the 90th minute.

Club America's lineup for the match includes Luis Angel Malagon as the goalkeeper, with Israel Reyes, Nestor Araujo, Igor Lichnovsky, and Cristian Calderon in defense. The midfield consists of Jonathan Dos Santos, Richard Sanchez, and Erick Sanchez, while Brian Rodriguez, Javairo Dilrosun, and Henry Martin serve as the forwards.

Alternative Players: 30 Rodolfo Cota, 12 Jonathan Estrada, 4 Sebastian Caceres, 29 Ramon Juarez, 32 Miguel Vazquez, 197 Dagoberto Espinoza, 26 Cristian Borja, 13 Alan Cervantes, 15 Ivan Rodriguez, 8 Alvaro Fidalgo, 10 Diego Valdes, 27 Rodrigo Aguirre, 19 Illian Hernandez, 23 Emilio Lara