The two sides were level at half-time, after Matias Vina’s impressive strike cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s early opener. Chelsea had lots of possession after the restart, without working Neto, while down the other end Vina was denied a second goal by a fine Kepa Arrizabalaga stop. Dango Ouattara then missed a big chance to put the hosts in front, heading over from close range, before Chelsea got ahead when Benoit Badiashile scored from a Hakim Ziyech free-kick. Substitute Joao Felix then wrapped up victory with four minutes to play. Reflecting on the two sides’ contrasting fortunes in front of goal,
Gary O’Neil said: “I thought that was the only difference. I thought it was an even contest. There were lots of bits in it that I liked. When we were on top, sort of midway through the second half, we had a flurry of corners. Mati Vina has a one-on-one with Kepa, who makes a good save. Kepa makes a great block from Dango as well, from four or five yards out and then obviously the massive chance with Dango’s free header, four yards out from goal. I think if we get our noses in front, the game will probably finish very differently. But disappointed that we weren’t clinical enough and Chelsea make a couple of mistakes to give us a chance and we don’t take it. Then we get punished at the other end as soon as we make one. I don’t think Neto had a lot to do and then we make a mistake and they managed to punish us and it goes 2-1, and then obviously it’s in their favour then. But we were well in the game. Just really disappointed that we don’t take anything. We thought there was not much more performance-wise we could have done, apart from be better in front of their goal at key moments and then maybe not make quite so many errors. Two errors at the end there for their two goals. I thought the fans were excellent. I thought that the lads felt the energy in the place. If there was any concern around the players not being at the same level as they have been because we’re on 39 points, I thought there was no danger of that. They were absolutely bang on again, gave absolutely everything. But in football matches, especially against teams of world-class players, there is a chance that no matter how well you do, if you don’t take your chances, they’re going to take theirs. We got stung with that.”
