Andreas Christensen opened the scoring for Chelsea before Jorginho doubled the lead from the penalty spot, substitute Kai Havertz netted Chelsea's third and then Jorginho completed his brace from yet another spot kick.
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Chelsea beat Malmo 4-0 in the champions League group stage fixture at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Andreas Christensen opened the scoring for the hosts before Jorginho doubled the lead from the penalty spot. Three minutes into the second half, substitute Kai Havertz netted Chelsea’s third of the night before Jorginho completed his brace from yet another spot kick. Meanwhile The Blues’ victory was overshadowed by injuries to forwards Timo Werner and Romelu Lukau. As per the reports coming in, both are likely to take a while to recover.
Chelsea were the clear favourites going into the tie and they started the match positively. Lukaku sent in a perfect low cross for Werner in front of goal but the German international failed to get a good connection and missed the target. Few minutes later, Lukaku’s shot from outside the box deflected off Eric Larsson before being parried away by Malmo goalkeeper Johan Dahlin with a quick reflex save.
Thomas Tuchels’ side broke the deadlock in the 9th minute, from an unlikely source, Christensen, who had come forward for a set piece. Although the initial free-kick was cleared, it fell to Thiago Silva and the Brazilian’s cross was volleyed in by Christensen on the run. It was the Denmark international’s first goal for Chelsea in 136 appearances.
In the 17th minute, Romelu Lukaku used his physical prowess to good effect as he powered his way forward, inside the box before being brought down by Lasse Nielsen. The referee had no other option but to point to the penalty spot. Although Jorginho stepped up and converted the spot kick with confidence, Lukau was forced off the pitch a few minutes later. Meanwhile Nielsen was fortunate to escape with only a booking.
Havertz, who came in for Lukaku side netted five minutes from break before Werner pulled up with a hamstring problem and was substituted with Callum Hudson- Odoi.
Three minutes into the second half, the two substitutes combined to triple the lead. Hudon-Odoi drove forward before teeing up Havertz to chip the ball past an advancing Dahlin and into the goal.
Soon Chelsea scored their fourth of the night. In the 54th minute, Rudiger was fouled from behind bay Larsson before he could get a shot away from inside the box. Jorginho stepped up and completed his brace.
The win helped Chelsea to second spot in Group H with six points from three games while Malmo are at the bottom, yet to open their account.
Elsewhere. In Group H, Juventus edged past Zenit at Krestovsky stadium courtesy of a lone first half goal from Dejan Kulusevski. The win helped Juventus to top of the group with three wins from as many games while Zenit are placed third with three points.
