Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles: Neto & Enzo's goals help great start in Club World Cup

Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez were both on target but Chelsea were far from convincing in a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC to start their Club World Cup campaign.

Match Report

PEDRO NETO and Enzo Fernandez sunk Los Angeles FC to open Chelsea's Club World Cup account.

Portuguese wizard Neto was at his tricky best as the Blues battled past the MLS side in Atlanta.

Enzo Maresca gave starts to Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson in the searing Georgian heat.

The Blues dominated the early stages against the nervy Americans, who packed in deep infront of a small band of noisy ultras from California.

Palmer and Jackson both went close as Maresca's men began to take control.

And it was Neto who sealed the breakthrough, twisting and turning his marker inside out on the right side of the box.

The Portuguese winger sized up LA's Hugo Lloris, before hammering past the ex-Spurs keeper at his near post.

Tempers flared at the break as Neto got into a shoving match with Denis Bouanga.

Both were lucky to avoid a card, with Reece James saving his teammate from a potentially needless incident.

And it was the lively Bouanga who almost levelled after the restart, with Robert Sanchez saving brilliantly with his legs after the Frenchman burst into the box.

LA called for some French inspiration off the bench, bringing on former Chelsea legend Olivier Giroud.

Chelsea followed suit by bringing new £30million signing Liam Delap on for his debut.

Delap looked sharp and eager from the off, providing the second on a plate for Enzo Fernandez.

The England U21 star peeled off his marker and was released down the wing by Palmer.

Delap took one look up and chipped in a perfect cross for Fernandez to bundle in.

LA continued to show heart and should have at least grabbed a consolation.

Bouanga was released over the top late in the contest, only to fire straight at Sanchez.

And there was still time for Neto to slam the crossbar with a stunning strike in the final seconds.

It was job done for Maresca's men, who now face Brazil's Flamengo on Friday in control of Group D.

Data Debrief: Chelsea dominate as Lloris' pain continues

Lloris is no stranger to Chelsea, facing them for a 24th time here in all competitions – his most appearances against one opponent – but he has won just four of those meetings after this defeat.

Indeed, Chelsea dominated another clash against Lloris but not with complete control as Maresca's men accumulated 1.96 expected goals (xG) to LAFC's 0.82.

Their struggles in front of goal were not helped by star attacker Palmer, who attempted a game-high six shots without any of those finding the target, albeit those chances were worth just 0.29 xG.

Maresca will hope Palmer can find form as he looks to impress with Chelsea at the Club World Cup, in which they previously reached the final in 2012 before winning the 2021 edition in their only two appearances.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

6' Jackson spins past his man in the box after Madueke pass, but saved by Lloris!

13' Match Event for Chelsea vs Los Angeles

18' Neto crosses right, Madueke slips. Madueke cross left, too long for Palmer!

21' Palmer shoots to the left, just missing Lloris' goal after a slight deflection!

34' GOAL! Neto rifles a shot beyond Lloris at his near post! Chelsea 1-0 Los Angeles

36' Yellow Card! Reece James booked for bringing down Dénis Bouanga!

46' Lavia and James off as Fernandez and Gusto on!

47' Match Event for Chelsea vs Los Angeles

52' David Martínez dribbles inside, unleashing a 20-yard shot just wide of far post!

55' Jackson's header hits a defender and flies inches past the post!

58' Yellow Card! David Martínez booked for catching with a stray arm Cucurella!

64' Match Event for Chelsea vs Los Angeles

70' Highlight from Chelsea vs Los Angeles

78' Highlight from Chelsea vs Los Angeles

79' GOAL! Enzo buries a close-range shot beyond the keeper! Chelsea 2-0 Los Angeles

84' Match Event for Chelsea vs Los Angeles

Line-ups

Chelsea XI: Adarabioyo, Cucurella, Reece James, Robert Sánchez, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Madueke, Caicedo, Colwill, Lavia, Nicolas Jackson

Subs: Trevoh Chalobah, Nkunku, Dewsbury-Hall, Badiashile, Jørgensen, Enzo, Gusto, Liam Delap, Dário Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, Andrey Santos, Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, Guiu, Aarón Anselmino

Los Angeles XI: Lloris, Mark Delgado, Eddie Segura, Sergi Palencia, Ryan Hollingshead, Aaron Long, Denis Bouanga, Timothy Tillman, Jeremy Ebobisse, Nathan Ordaz, Igor Jesus

Subs: Giroud, Maxime Chanot, Marlon, Yaw Yeboah, David Ochoa, Adam Saldaña, Thomas Hasal, Frankie Amaya, Odin Holm, Ryan Raposo, Nkosi Tafari, David Martínez, Adrian Wibowo