Chelsea player ratings vs Gent: Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall lead the way as Blues cruise to Europa Conference League win

Chelsea got the next phase of their Europa Conference League journey off to a winning start against Belgian side Gent.

The Blues safely made it through the qualifier against Switzerland’s Servette and looked comfortable against their first opponents in the league phase.

It only took Enzo Maresca’s side 12 minutes to get the stadium rocking, thanks to Renato Veiga’s goal.

The Portuguese left-back did well to cushion a header back across the face of goal and past Davy Roef to open the scoring.

The majority of the game was played in Gent’s half, although they did have small periods where they put Chelsea under pressure, although they were unable to make it count.

Things exploded into life in the second half when Pedro Neto smashed home an effort immediately after the restart.

Gent then pulled one back through Tsuyoshi Wantabe, but the Blues put the game out of reach with goals from Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to make it 4-1.

The visitors did get one back late on, but it was nothing more than a late consolation goal.

In the end, it was a comfortable night for Enzo Maresca and that was without Cole Palmer or Nicolas Jackson in the squad.

GOAL rates Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Filip Jorgensen (7/10):

  Did what was required of him, making some comfortable saves in either half and there was nothing he could really do about Gent’s goal.

  Axel Disasi (7/10):

  Picked up an assist but stood off for one of Gent’s goals, but a relatively positive night for the defender.

  Tosin Adarabioyo (7/10):

  A solid outing for Adarabioyo who still looked a tad rusty at times having not played many minutes this season.

  Benoit Badiashile (8/10):

  Was a dominant force at the back, particularly in the air, winning first and second balls as Gent looked to play in behind the defence.

  Renato Veiga (9/10):

  Scored his first goal for the club with a beautifully cushioned header and added an assist in the second half.

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    Midfield

    Cesare Casadei (6/10):

    Never really got into the game despite Chelsea’s dominance but was solid enough behind the attack.

    Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (9/10):

    Looked determined to make an impact after struggling for minutes in the Premier League and caught the eye after bagging his first goal for the London club.

    Joao Felix (8/10):

    Was arguably Chelsea’s brightest player in the final third, the only thing that was missing was a goal for the ex-Atletico Madrid man.

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      Attack

      Pedro Neto (7/10):

      Ran his socks off as usual and took his goal well, using his speed and precision to smash his effort into the back of the net.

      Christopher Nkunku (8/10):

      Netted his seventh goal of the season with a bang, lashing home an effort at a crucial time to restore calm around Stamford Bridge.

      Mhkhaylo Mudryk (6/10):

      Grabbed an assist for Chelsea’s first goal and played with renewed confidence, but went missing in the second half.

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      Subs & Manager

      Marc Guiu (6/10)

      Had little influence with 10 minutes left to go in the match.

      Tyrique George (6/10):

      Put in the yards but didn’t see much of the ball as Chelsea saw the game out.

      Enzo Maresca (7/10):

      Did not have to think too much in the game such was Chelsea’s dominance but gave some young guns a run out towards the end of the game which pleased the crowd.