Chelsea 4-0 Juventus; Six things we learned as the blues emphatically seize control of group H by thumping Juventus at Stamford bridge

Impeccable Chelsea

The Blues ran riot and seemed like a team possessed. They exerted a well-planned measure of revenge on The Old Lady after succumbing to a 0-1 defeat in the reverse fixture. Chelsea dominated the first half and stopped Juventus from playing with their press, creating half chances until Trevoh Chalobah smashed home a peach of a half volley in the 25th minute. Despite going in with the lead at halftime, it wasn’t exactly a rosy half for Chelsea as N’Golo Kanté was withdrawn through injury. The only stain in an almost perfect first 45 minutes for Thomas Tuchel and his men.

That injury will sting, but Reece James’ thunderous piledriver in the 55th minute, followed just three minutes later by a deft Callum Hudson-Odoi finish will have done much to ease the pain. Juventus were left dumbstruck and the defending champions were in control of their destiny. Ben Chilwell also left the pitch injured which would cause more concerns for Thomas Tuchel going forward. Timo Werner added insult to injury with a tap-in at the death.

Here are six things we learned from a rather one-sided affair at Stamford bridge;

TREVOH CHALOBAH BELONGS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Young Trevoh made his first start in the champions league and crowned it with a smashing goal and a clean sheet to go with. He scored his third goal for the club, all of which have come on home turf. He is now the highest goalscorer for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this season. The academy graduate did not put a foot wrong as he helped the team offensively and kept Federico Chiesa quiet. He has now scored a goal on his English Premier League and UEFA Champions League debuts.

THIAGO SILVA IS STILL WORLD-CLASS

A role model to his defensive partners, the Brazilian defender showed once again why he is arguably the best in the business. Manuel Locatelli played an exquisite pass and Alvaro Morata was through on goal. A goal that would have silenced the home crowd who received him with hostility after his rather forgettable stint at the club. He lobbed Edouard Mendy but a desperate goal-line clearance denied the Spaniard. The intervention came from Thiago Silva. The veteran finished the game with a well-deserved clean sheet.

REECE JAMES IS IN THE FORM OF HIS LIFE

Cesar Azpilicueta must be wondering when he would get back in the team, but after Reece James’ performance today, it wouldn’t be anytime soon. James continued his stunning form this season that has seen him score five and assist eight. He once again showed his lethal side as he got Chelsea’s second goal and rounded off the night with yet another clean sheet. His peach of the ball to Hakim Ziyech for the fourth goal was incredible. The young right-back is well on his way to becoming a stalwart for the club for the next decade.

JUVENTUS SUFFER THEIR HEAVIEST DEFEAT SINCE 2003/2004

Juventus were battered by the blues. Chelsea inflicted the heaviest defeat the Turin club has experienced since their famous 0-4 loss to AS Roma in the 2003/2004 Serie A season. Leonardo Bonucci and Max Allegri sounded humbled in the post-match conference praising the relentlessness of their opponents.

NO LOVE LOST FOR MORATA

Chelsea fans made their feelings clear as Alvaro Morata was received with hostility and heavily booed throughout the game. Morata made a promising start to life at Chelsea but that did little to suppress the anger of the fans. He failed to muster any form of consistency in his one-and-a-half-year spell at the club. Morata has struggled with converting chances in his career and that didn’t help alleviate periods of poor form.

CHELSEA HIT WITH MORE INJURIES

Kante did not make it to half-time before being replaced due to injury, while Chilwell was helped off with just over 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge. Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaced Kante and performed well. He showed terrific footwork to set up Hudson-Odoi’s goal, but Tuchel will be frustrated to be without Kante especially with Mateo Kovacic’s continued absence. Chilwell, meanwhile, will be another big miss for as long as he is out. Thankfully he did not need a stretcher to leave the pitch, but he seemed to be in considerable pain after he clashed with Adrien Rabiot.