Chelsea ratings vs Benfica: Joao Pedro heaps more misery on Enzo Maresca with late sending off | OneFootball

The Blues produced a solid performance to finally get off the mark in Europe

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

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Chelsea got their Champions League up and running with a 1-0 win over Benfica.

The only goal of the game came early on as Richard Rios scored an own goal which was assisted by a firm cross by Alejandro Garnacho.

Joao Pedro, the substitute, was sent off for the Blues for a second yellow card in stoppage time, but they held on to claim an important win.

Dom Smith was in attendance at Stamford Bridge to assess the Chelsea performances…

Robert Sanchez 6

Made an excellent save late in the first half. His distribution was good up until the final eight minutes when he became nervy and it showed.

Malo Gusto 5

Was caught out of position on a few occasions as Benfica sought to counter down his flank. Otherwise OK.

Trevoh Chalobah 6

Decent display at the back from the Englishman, who patrolled the backline well.

Benoit Badiashile 7

A very good showing from the Frenchman, brought back into the starting line-up due to injuries after an injury of his own. Passed and defended well, drawing plenty of applause from his manager.

Marc Cucurella 6

Played some poor passes in the opening exchanges but never stopped running and won some important blocks and tackles as Chelsea asserted their physical edge.

Enzo Fernandez 7

Skippered Chelsea against his former team and showed real leadership, misplacing passes early on but then improving his own game and keeping Chelsea ticking over.

Moises Caicedo 7

Won plenty of tackles, but did allow Benfica a little more freedom to counter than perhaps he would have liked.

Pedro Neto 6

Got through plenty of running but never quite found that fifth gear. Did almost score in the first half when cutting in and shooting just wide.

Facundo Buonanotte 5

A quiet display from the Argentine, who gave way after just 54 minutes as Maresca made a change and put Estevao on.

Alejandro Garnacho 6

It was another so-so performance from the former Manchester United man, but he registered his first goal involvement but setting up the Benfica own goal.

Tyrique George 4

Another ineffectual performance from the stand-in striker. Plenty were again left wondering why Marc Guiu had not been used.

Substitutes:

Estevao (Buonanotte, 54’) 6

Full of running once he came on, including one mazy burst which no one in red could stop.

Joao Pedro (George, 61’) 3

Dropped deep and managed to connect play but then got himself sent off for two bookings. Will serve a one-game suspension and miss the Ajax game.

Jamie Gittens (Garnacho, 61’) 5

Was not particularly noticeable after coming on but made one poor miss-control.

Josh Acheampong (Badiashile, 80’) N/A

Reece James (Gusto, 80’) N/A

Not used: Jorgensen, Merrick, Hato, Guiu, Lavia, Walsh