Chelsea maintained their perfect record in the Europa Conference League, beating FC Heidenheim 2-0.
It was not a classic European tie, but the Blues got the job done in Germany.
The visitors were denied a penalty in the first half, with the referee going to check his monitor before ruling out a spot kick.
But Christopher Nkunku did get a crucial goal in the 51st minute, tapping in from close range.
And Mykhaylo Mudryk netted late on from just inside the box to guarantee the points.
Read on to discover how the match unfolded.
How it happened
The first half ended goalless but was far from uneventful.
Chelsea dominated possession, holding 69% of the ball, but Heidenheim posed significant threats on the counter-attack.
Kaufmann’s early effort flashed dangerously across the face of Chelsea’s goal, and Wanner’s stinging shot tested goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
At the other end, Heidenheim’s keeper, Kevin Muller, was in inspired form, denying Chelsea multiple times.
Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Nkunku all saw efforts thwarted, while Tosin Adarabioyo missed a gilt-edged chance from a free kick late in the half.
Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute.
THAT MAN AGAIN! 🤩
🔴 0-1 ⚪️ [51] #CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/BVdFmjo9td
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 28, 2024
Axel Disasi dispossessed Mathias Honsak, sparking a quick transition. Dewsbury-Hall found Jadon Sancho on the right, who delivered a pinpoint cross to Nkunku.
The Frenchman shrugged off Lennard Maloney and finished clinically for his fifth goal of the competition.
Heidenheim responded with a flurry of chances. Substitute Maximilian Breunig had the ball in the net with a diving header, only to be flagged offside.
Brazilian winger Scienza also forced a superb save from Jørgensen, highlighting the home side’s persistence.
Despite their efforts, Heidenheim’s wastefulness in front of goal proved costly.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the 86th minute with a stunning team goal.
MISHAAAAAA!! 💙
🔴 0-2 ⚪️ [86] #CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/vgNq5k82fn
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 28, 2024
After neat interplay involving Renato Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, and Sancho, the latter squared the ball to Mudryk at the edge of the box.
The Ukrainian winger unleashed a thunderous strike into the top-right corner, leaving Muller with no chance.
It was Mudryk’s third goal of the campaign and a perfect way to cap off Chelsea’s night.
