Chelsea runs riot against 10-man Ajax in milestone victory

Chelsea crushed struggling Ajax 5-1 at a wet Stamford Bridge in their 200th Champions League appearance on Wednesday night.

Enzo Maresca made 10 changes to the starting XI that hammered Nottingham Forest 3-0 at City Ground last time out, with only Romeo Lavia retaining his spot.

Chelsea bossed possession early on and almost went ahead 13 minutes into the game through Marc Guiu after he was found beautifully with a 40-yard pass by Enzo Fernandez, but the young Spanish effort was saved by Remko Pasveer from close range.

Trouble was spelt for the visitors after Captain Kenneth Taylor was sent off by referee Felix Zwayer for a nasty challenge on Facundo Buonanotte after a VAR check.

Marc Guiu gave the host the lead a minute later after Buonanotte’s cross was headed back across goal by Wesley Fofana for an unmarked Guiu to tap home a simple finish.

Gittens saw his shot saved from a tight angle, and Caicedo blasted his effort from a resulting corner wide.

The Ecuadorian’s next long-range shot ended in the back of the net after his strike was deflected into the net to double Chelsea’s advantage.

Ajax soon halved the deficit through a Weghorst penalty after Tosin was penalised for an infringement in the box.

Weghorst was penalised at the other end after he brought down Fernandez in the box, and the Argentine stroked the ball inside the side-netting to restore the West Londoners’ two-goal advantage.

In the third minute of stoppage time in the first half, Estevao was also brought down in the box by Baas, and the Brazilian slotted the ball into the top corner, leaving Pasveer no chance.

Maresca made three changes at the break as Trevoh Chalobah, Andrey Santos and George all came on.

George made an instant impact off the bench as his 20-yard shot was deflected beyond Pasveer to give Chelsea a commanding 5-1 lead.

17-year-old Cobham talent Reggie Walsh came on for Lavia at the hour mark.

Estevao came close on two occasions to increasing the deficit and getting his second of the night, but his shot was palmed away by Pasveer. The 18-year-old’s acrobatic overhead kick minutes later had the stadium on their feet as it went agonisingly wide.

The Blues move up to 11th in the Champions League standings and host newly promoted side Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.