As the sun set over the Mediterranean, Chelsea FC made their presence felt once again in the Europa Conference League, securing a comfortable 4-1 victory over Greek side Panathinaikos.
The game got off to a cautious start, with Panathinaikos showing early signs of promise. But it was Chelsea who seized control of the match, with their quick passing and movement causing problems for the Greek defense. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute, when Joao Felix flicked a long ball into the path of Mykhaylo Mudryk, who had made a steaming run down the left wing. Mudryk’s low cross found Felix, who slotted the ball past Panathinaikos goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski with ease.
The Blues could have doubled their lead shortly after, with Enzo Fernandez unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box, only for Dragowski to tip the ball over the bar. But Chelsea’s dominance continued throughout the first half, with them enjoying 67% of the possession and keeping the hosts pinned back for long periods of the game.
The second half saw Chelsea extend their lead, with Mudryk netting his first goal of the competition in the 46th minute. Neto sent a perfectly timed cross to Mudryk at the back post, and the Ukrainian headed the ball down into the ground and past Dragowski to make it 2-0. The Ukrainian’s involvement was a defining feature of the game, with him and Felix rounding off each other’s moves and creating numerous chances for the visitors.
Panathinaikos struggled to find any rhythm, and Chelsea soon made it 3-0 in the 55th minute. Mudryk pulled the ball back to Felix on the edge of the box, whose shot took a deflection off Maksimovic and nestled into the bottom corner. The goal was a deserved moment for Felix, who had been a thorn in the side of the Panathinaikos defense all evening.
The Blues were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute after Felix’s cross struck the arm of Mancini in the box. Christopher Nkunku stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the left side of the goal, making it 4-0.
Panathinaikos, although thoroughly outclassed, did manage to grab a consolation goal in the 69th minute. Tete played Vagiannidis into space down the right wing, and the full-back delivered a perfect cross for Facundo Pellistri, who tapped the ball in at the back post to make it 4-1.
Despite the late goal, Chelsea never looked troubled and managed the game well until the final whistle, securing a convincing victory that takes them to the top of the standings in the Europa Conference League. The win is a testament to their growing strength and depth, as they continue to cruise through the competition.
