Chelsea vs Juventus. UEFA Champions League Group H.
Stamford BridgeAttendance39,513.
Match report as Chelsea thrash Juventus 4-0 to claim their place in the Champions League knockout stages; Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Timo Werner were on target as Blues moved top of Group H
Wednesday 24 November 2021 06:05, UK
Holders Chelsea thrashed Juventus 4-0 to secure their place in the Champions League knockout stages with what Thomas Tuchel described as an "amazing performance" at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel's side, already three points clear at the summit of the Premier League, jumped above Juventus at the top of Group H with a display of utter dominance in west London.
The Blues took the lead midway through the first half when Trevoh Chalobah fired home from an Antonio Rudiger knockdown following a Hakim Ziyech corner (25), before ramming home their superiority with a rampant second-half showing.
The outstanding Reece James scored Chelsea's second, and his fifth of the season, with a stunning, angled drive from the right-hand side of the box (55), with Callum Hudson-Odoi becoming the third homegrown scorer of the night when he finished off a slick team move soon afterwards (58).
Substitute Timo Werner then completed the scoring in stoppage time when he converted Ziyech's cross from close range.
The emphatic victory puts Chelsea in pole position to reach the last 16 as group winners, meaning a potentially easier draw, but it came at a cost ahead of Sunday's Premier League meeting with Manchester United.
The Blues lost N'Golo Kante to a knee injury in the first half, while Ben Chilwell was also forced off with a knee problem following a coming together with Adrien Rabiot in the second.
Tuchel admitted afterwards he is unsure whether they will be able to face United but their withdrawals certainly didn't slow Chelsea down against Juventus.
Chelsea, perhaps eager to exact revenge for their 1-0 loss in Turin in September, dominated the game right from the outset, forcing the visitors backwards and subjecting them to a barrage of early pressure.
Kante created their first chance, chipping a dangerous cross into the box from the byline in the opening few minutes, but Hudson-Odoi failed to make a proper connection with his shot before Chilwell snatched at the loose ball.
Chilwell tried his luck again moments later, firing a long-range effort a few yards over the bar, and Chalobah then gave Juventus a warning of what was to come when he headed wide from a corner.
Juventus were justifiably unhappy that his opener was allowed to stand given Ziyech's corner appeared to strike Rudiger on the hand, but the VAR check ruled in Chelsea's favour after Chalobah's rising drive had beaten Wojciech Szczesny.
Chelsea were enjoying near-total dominance but it took a sensational goalline clearance from Thiago Silva to prevent Juventus from equalising just three minutes later.
Former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata's chipped effort was looping towards the net having beaten Edouard Mendy, but Silva showed impressive speed and agility to race back and hook the ball away from danger with an overhead kick.
It was a rare chance for Juventus, who were otherwise camped in their own half. Szczesny was called into action to deny James soon after Silva's intervention and even Kante's withdrawal did not alter the complexion of the game.
In fact, Chelsea emerged from the interval with even greater intent. Hudson-Odoi had a diagonal effort blocked by Matthijs de Ligt and Silva headed straight at Szczesny from a free-kick, but the hosts did not have to wait long to extend their lead.
James was left free in the Juventus box as he controlled a left-wing cross on his chest but there was still plenty to do as he looked up and fired a rasping finish into the far corner.
Chelsea supporters were still celebrating that goal when Hudson-Odoi scored their third, teed up by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kante's replacement and another academy graduate, following another fast-paced attack.
Chilwell's injury punctuated Chelsea's dominance and Mendy was also forced into a rare save, pushing Weston McKennie's powerful drive over the crossbar, but there was still time for Chelsea to add a fourth.
The Blues had included Romelu Lukaku in their squad for the first time since he suffered an ankle injury last month, but, with the Belgian an unused substitute, it was Werner who made an impact from the bench.
Soon after he had teed up Ziyech for a low shot which was well saved by Szczesny, their roles were reversed, with the German slotting home his team-mate's low centre to cap a brilliant night for Chelsea only dampened by the injuries to Kante and Chilwell.
There were numerous Chelsea players who made a case for the man-of-the-match award but none more convincing than Reece James. The 21-year-old was outstanding once again.
His goal, thumped into the bottom corner with unerring precision, was his fourth in his last six appearances for Tuchel's side and his fifth of the season in total. The only other Premier League player to have registered five or more goals and assists so far? That would be Mohamed Salah.
It's not bad for a player ostensibly categorised as a defender. James is revelling in the attacking freedom he is given by Tuchel at right wing-back and that was more apparent than ever on Tuesday night. James had more shots (five) than anyone else on the pitch and also created the most chances (three).
Juventus couldn't handle him and Manchester United might struggle on Sunday too.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel: "It was a very good performance. We wanted to stay patient but we didn't want to fall asleep - that was the challenge.
"The team did very well. It's so tough to score goals and create chances but we scored and created so much. Full credit, it was an amazing performance and a fantastic result."
Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri: "We are disappointed with the four goals we conceded but our objective, which was qualification, has been achieved. There were times when we lost possession trying to get forward immediately, when we had to keep the ball more.
"In Turin, we were attentive to the defensive aspect of our game for 90 minutes, but today we only did it for 45, then gave up. We know what our strengths and weaknesses are. Even after evenings like this, we will improve."
Chelsea resume their Premier League campaign at home to Manchester United on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm. The Blues are away to Zenit St Petersburg in their final Champions League group game on Wednesday December 8.
