Chelsea made it two wins from two in the Europa Conference League, beating Panathinaikos 4-1 away from home.
Joao Felix got a brace for the Blues, finishing neatly from inside the six-yard box early on and again from outside the area.
Mykhaylo Mudryk grabbed a goal as well, scoring from a similar position that Felix got his first goal from.
And Christopher Nkunku scored from the spot before Facundo Pellestri grabbed a consolation with 20 minutes to go.
Enzo Maresca’s side were dominant throughout and could have had more, as is usually the case with them.
But they will take the win and move towards the top of the standings in Europe’s third-string competition.
Read on to see how the match unfolded in the Mediterranean.
A convincing victory in Athens! 🙌#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/N3davbXSOH
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2024
How it happened
The game started cautiously, with Panathinaikos showing early signs of promise.
The Greek side nearly broke the deadlock in the second minute when Croatian defender Tin Jedvaj headed down a free-kick, but Chelsea goalkeeper Jorgensen produced an excellent save to deny him.
Despite this early scare, it was Chelsea who soon took control of the proceedings.
The Blues’ breakthrough came in the 22nd minute.
Joao Felix flicked a long ball into the path of Mykhailo Mudryk, who darted down the left wing.
Mudryk’s low cross into the box found Felix again, and the Portuguese calmly slotted the ball past Panathinaikos goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski to make it 1-0.
Get in! ✊#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/tYtEH5Cwzv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2024
The Blues almost doubled their lead shortly after when Enzo Fernandez unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, but Dragowski was equal to it, tipping the ball over the bar.
Chelsea’s dominance continued as they ended the first half with 67% possession, keeping the hosts pinned back for long periods.
The second half started brightly for Chelsea, who extended their lead just three minutes after the restart.
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.
It was Mudryk’s first goal of the competition, a well-deserved moment for the winger after providing an assist earlier.
Panathinaikos struggled to find any rhythm, and Chelsea soon made it 3-0 in the 55th minute.
FELIX AGAINNNN!!!
☘️ 0-3 ⚫️ #CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/kinl0jEbgv
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 24, 2024
Mudryk was involved again, pulling the ball back to Felix on the edge of the box, whose shot took a deflection off Maksimovic and nestled into the bottom corner.
Chelsea were then 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.
