Chelsea vs. AC Milan result, highlights & analysis as Blues cruise to first Champions League win

Ben Miller

•
Chelsea vs. AC Milan result, highlights & analysis as Blues cruise to first Champions League win image

Chelsea earned their biggest home victory since January to cruise past AC Milan 3-0 and win for the first time in the Champions League this season.

£70 million signing Wesley Fofana swept in his first goal for the club after 24 minutes to send new manager Graham Potter on his way to the first win of his career in the competition.

After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck from Reece James' 56th-minute cross, the defender lashed in his side's third shortly afterwards.

The hosts' impressive performance sent them above Milan on goal difference in second place in Group E ahead of their trip to the San Siro on Tuesday.

The Rossoneri should have scored immediately after their only shot on target, Rade Krunic blazing over the bar from close range on the stroke of half-time.

Chelsea outclass abject Milan

Milan's only defeat of the season had come against Serie A leaders Napoli and Stefano Pioli's side arrived on an eight-game unbeaten away run with a chance to go two points clear at the top of the table.

This may not have been a must-win game for Chelsea but a draw would have left them three points behind Milan and RB Salzburg, who they visit in their next two Champions League matches.

Making his first start under Potter, centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly had an uncertain start to the game and there was an early warning sign when Rafael Leao broke free inside the penalty area.

By the 20-minute mark, Milan had run a kilometre more than Chelsea and looked the more dangerous.

Thiago Silva made 119 appearances for Milan between 2009 and 2012 and the veteran changed the momentum by forcing two saves in as many minutes from Ciprian Tatarusanu.

The stand-in goalkeeper could only parry the second of the Brazilian's headers into his goalmouth, allowing Fofana - substituted shortly afterwards through injury - the chance to steer a shot into the far corner of the net.

Chelsea had almost total control from that point, although Krunic spurned a sitter when the ball rolled to him at point-blank range following a shot by Charles De Ketelaere that was saved by Kepa.

Hampered by a litany of injuries, Milan looked uncharacteristically lacking in leadership and resilience. Still, Chelsea's most emphatic home win since a 5-1 FA Cup victory over Chesterfield nine months ago was the perfect way to put their European ambitions back on track.

Centurion James makes mark

Trent Alexander Arnold gave his critics a night off with a goal and a fine defensive display in Liverpool's win over Rangers on Tuesday.

Reece James is clearly well in front of his fellow right-back in the England reckoning and a near-complete performance at both ends of the pitch showed why against dangerous opposition, who had taken four points from their first two Champions League games.

On his 100th start for Chelsea, the 22-year-old had more difficulty with Leao during the first half, with the Portugal attacker's persistent run leading to those chances for De Ketelaere and Krunic.

There were no such difficulties for James from that point on, repeatedly dispossessing Leao and setting off towards the Milan penalty area in search of crosses.

The delivery for Aubameyang's goal was a precise one, helped by one of James' rivals for England selection, Fikayo Tomori, failing to follow the striker's movement effectively and clumsily lifting out a leg as if he knew he had no prospect of intercepting the ball.

Aubameyang would have appreciated James' composure for the third goal, meeting Raheem Sterling's pass inside the penalty area on the right and setting himself before lifting a fierce shot past Tatarusanu from a tight angle.

Trevoh Chalobah replaced Fofana to productive effect and Ben Chilwell performed well but James was the best of an English group who are showing signs of flourishing further under Potter, with Sterling, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek contributing strongly and Conor Gallagher coming on before the end.

On this form, James is a sure starter against Iran on November 21 and could be one of England's most important players at the finals.

MORE: World Cup 2022: FIFA's new semi-automated offside technology explained and how it will work with VAR

Chelsea vs. AC Milan final score

  1H 2H Final
Chelsea  1 2 3
AC Milan 0 0 0

Goals:

CHE - Fofana (24th Min)

CHE - Aubameyang (56th Min)

CHE - James (62nd Min)

Chelsea vs. AC Milan live updates, highlights from Champions League

*Video available in UK

Full-time: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

Chelsea earn a deserved first Champions League win of the season!

Thanks for joining our live coverage. You can read a report and analysis at the top of this page shortly!

89 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

Milan's tempo has really dropped from that energetic start they made. This is out of character by their high standards.

85 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

That dodgy header aside, James is clearly enjoying himself out there. Hitting form in just the right time for the World Cup?

82 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

James misjudges a header, gifting Milan a corner. They play passes around inside Chelsea's half without threatening to any worrying effect for their opponents.

77 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

74 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

Milan have come no closer to adding to their only shot on target of the game.

It's hard to imagine that this match would have been much different had Krunic converted that chance just before half-time. The visitors have offered very little.

71 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

Thiago Silva is booked for a challenge midway inside Chelsea's half. Milan fail to do anything with the opportunity to the left of centre.

69 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

James breaks free down the right again, sending in a low cross. Tatarusanu claims.

68 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

66 mins: Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan

Jorginho and Gallagher replace Aubameyang and Kovacic for Chelsea.

63 mins: GOAL — Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan (James)

That could seal three points for Chelsea!

Milan struggle to deal with another attack inside the final third. Sterling advances on the penalty area and plays in James in front of goal on the right, who lashes a powerful strike into the roof of the net!

That's the way he'll have wanted to celebrate his 100th start for the club!

*Video available in UK

*Video available in US

59 mins: Chelsea 2-0 AC Milan

57 mins: Chelsea 2-0 AC Milan

Chelsea's dominance paid off there. Chilwell lifted a cross beyond everyone after reaching a good position on the right.

James collected the ball on the opposite flank and curled a cross towards the recalibrating Aubameyang in front of goal, which Tomori missed with an outstretched leg. The striker will rarely have an easier finish!

56 mins: GOAL — Chelsea 2-0 AC Milan (Aubameyang)

Chelsea make it two!

*Video available in UK

*Video available in US

55 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Milan are on an eight-game unbeaten away run but they're showing few signs of continuing that.

Sterling races down the right but is isolated. Milan reclaim possession.

53 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Thiago Silva and Giroud both go down after competing for a bouncing ball near the halfway line.

The former Chelsea striker is hopping around because of a hurt foot. The defender is clutching a shoulder. Both recover.

51 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Chalobah fires a shot high and wide. Chelsea are controlling the game.

48 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

It's been a quiet start to the second half. Sterling tried to control a high ball on his chest inside the penalty area but couldn't quite bring the difficult opportunity down sufficiently to be able to test Tatarusanu.

46 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Milan restart the action. They equalised at Salzburg on Matchday 1 to earn a 1-1 draw — and you suspect Pioli would take a repeat of that right now.

Half-time — Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Until Krunic's dreadful miss, that was a much more comfortable half for Chelsea than it had looked like being during the opening 20 minutes!

Milan had most of the early running but Potter's side burst into life when Thiago Silva forced Tatarusanu into action twice in quick succession, the second causing a scramble that finished with Fofana sweeping in his first Chelsea goal.

Milan will finish tonight immediately below Chelsea in third unless they score at least once during the second half. That miss will surely haunt Krunic during the interval.

45+3 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Milan should be level! Leao's persistency on a run into the penalty area down the right affords De Ketelaere space and a close-range shot that Kepa parries.

The rebound falls to Krunic in front of goal, who blasts over the bar. A huge let-off!

44 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Leao has a go at creating something down the left for Milan. Chalobah is equal to it, seeing the danger behind.

42 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Sterling and James combine on the right-hand edge of the penalty area during another decent spell of pressure for Chelsea.

Milan haven't managed to trouble Chelsea significantly since that lively start. The Blues have had all seven of the attempts on goal as we approach the break, including four on target.

39 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Kovacic is booked after an over-zealous challenge that leaves former Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud tutting at him.

The Croatia mainstay leaves referee Danny Makkelie under no illusions that he agrees with the decision.

37 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Chalobah is being readied to replace Fofana. Unfortunate for the new signing, but at least he can say he had a positive impact during his brief time on the pitch tonight after steering in that opening goal.

34 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Fofana goes down and needs treatment. It looks like the scorer will play on for now.

32 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Sterling clips a deft pass beyond the Milan defence through the centre and onto the run of Mount inside the penalty area on the right, who lobs a terrific finish over Tatarusanu and into the back of the net from a tight angle.

Replays show he was clearly offside when his England team-mate sent that perceptive pass in his direction. Plenty to be encouraged by for Chelsea.

30 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Piolo is wearing a grey suit jacket and black turtleneck on the touchline. He's the second successive stylish manager to visit Stamford Bridge, following Salzburg's Matthias Jaissle last time out.

27 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Mount races on to a low delivery from the right, meeting it with a shot from just outside the penalty area in a central position, which is repelled.

Heads on hands in the stands — that looked like it was heading towards goal.

27 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

Potter is on course for his first win as a manager in the Champions League — but as he'll know from that Salzburg equaliser last time out, there's plenty of time for a side as strong as Milan to reply.

25 mins: Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan

From the corner from the left following his first attempt, Thiago Silva saw another header deflected behind off Tomori's shoulder.

The Brazilian went closer from the next delivery, Tatarusanu parrying his header. Fofana swept a low shot into the left-hand corner of the goalkeeper's net from the ensuing scramble.

That's his first goal for his new club!

24 mins: GOAL — Chelsea 1-0 AC Milan (Fofana 24)

This goal had been coming!

*Video available in US

22 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Chelsea go as close as they have so far! Mount whips a free-kick from the right onto the head of Thiago Silver, who barely needs to jump to plant a firm header towards goal.

It's straight at Tatarusanu, though, who takes a step back and touches the ball over the crossbar.

19 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Oh dear. Mount whips an outswinging corner towards the centre of the penalty area from the right, finding Fofana in space.

The defender isn't under an abundance of pressure but misses entirely with his attempted header, the ball arrowing comfortably clear of the crossbar off his shoulder.

17 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Milan have had six of the seven attacks and run a kilometre more than Chelsea so far, covering 22.1km between themselves.

16 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Sterling wins a throw-in on the left inside Milan's half, and Chelsea play the ball back inside their own territory.

Potter was applauding someone, but he won't be now: Mount plays a simple low pass straight out of play, Chilwell unable to keep it in.

14 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

The visitors have had 58% of possession inside the opening 15 minutes or so.

Fode Ballo-Toure receives the first booking of the game after a late and painful-looking challenge on James that leaves the defender grimacing and grounded. The left-back apologises, almost certainly with half an eye on dissuading the referee from cautioning him.

13 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Milan continue to look more dangerous, spending a prolonged period deep inside Chelsea's half on the right before spreading play.

12 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Tomori, on his return to the club where he spent the first five years of his senior career, sees the danger behind as Chelsea try to create a meaningful attack.

Those Milan supporters have a large 'Curva Sud' sign with an image of the Joker from the Batman films.

10 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Aubameyang's haircut tonight is approaching a buzzcut. Chelsea have struggled to create much for the striker so far.

7 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Rafael Leao, who scored for Milan in their latte win at Empoli on Saturday, surges down the right and reaches the penalty area on a rapid run.

Fofana eventually deals with the danger. Leao feels he's been held back. The first nervy moment of the night for Chelsea's defence, who didn't cover themselves in glory with that Salzburg equaliser here last time out.

7 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

 

5 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Good effort! Aubameyang spots Mount outside the penalty area on the left and the midfielder takes Tatarusanu by surprise with a powerful low shot from distance towards the far corner of the Milan goal.

The goalkeeper descends to touch the strike behind, and Chelsea cannot capitalise on the resulting corner from their right.

4 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Koulibaly concedes a second sloppy foul in the early stages, giving Milan a chance to send in a free-kick from beyond the halfway line.

Chelsea clear again but that won't have endeared the defender to Potter on his first start under the new manager.

3 mins: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

These teams last met here in the group stage in 1999, sharing a goalless draw.

Milan have made the brighter start here.

1 min: Chelsea 0-0 AC Milan

Chelsea, attacking from right to left in the first half, start the action, immediately conceding a free-kick inside their half on Milan's right. James heads the delivery clear.

3 mins from kickoff: The spherical Champions League banner is covering the centre circle. The Champions League anthem is playing. The teams are lined up. We're ready to go!

Elsewhere, Noah Okafor's 71st-minute penalty has given Salzburg victory at home to Dinamo Zagreb. That means Milan can go top of the group by avoiding defeat, while Chelsea will remain fourth unless they are victorious here, in which case they'd need to win by at least two goals to go second.

15 mins from kickoff: Reece James makes his 100th Chelsea start tonight, while Thiago Silva is captain.

Milan have been warming up!

30 mins from kickoff: As we prepare for the start of the action at Stamford Bridge, don't forget to give our dedicated Twitter football page a follow. It's your essential companion for Premier League, European and international games.

45 mins from kickoff: Injury-stricken Milan make five changes from their 3-1 win over Dinamo. Goalkeeper Tatarusanu starts, as do Ballo, Dest, Krunic and De Ketelaere.

60 mins from kickoff: Team news! Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell, Koulibaly and Fofana replace Jorginho, Azpilcueta, Havertz and Cucurella in Chelsea's starting XI from the draw against Salzburg.

Cucurella may not have fully recovered from the illness that kept him out of the win at Crystal Palace on Saturday, and Koulibaly makes his first start under Potter.

75 mins from kickoff: In tonight's early Group E game, Dinamo are currently drawing 0-0 at Salzburg.

That's good news for Chelsea, who will be two points off second place and three points off the top of the table at kick-off if the result is goalless.

90 mins from kickoff: Chelsea have arrived!

105 mins from kickoff: Milan recovered from that defeat at home to Napoli in dramatic style at Empoli.

Ante Rebic gave Stefano Pioli's side the lead in the 73rd minute, but Nedim Bajrami looked to have earned Empoli a point at the last with a 92nd-minute reply.

Just when the home fans had finished celebrating, Fode Ballo-Toure restored Milan's lead. Rafael Leao embellished the scoreline by adding a third for the visitors in the 96th minute, lifting them to fifth in the table, three points off the pace.

120 mins from kickoff: Hello and welcome to our coverage of Chelsea's attempt to win at the third time of asking in the 2022/23 Champions League.

A two-goal victory could send the hosts top of Group E tonight, but that will be no easy task against a Milan side whose defeat at home to Serie A leaders Napoli was their first of the season, having drawn at home to Salzburg and won 3-1 in Zagreb, where Chelsea's defeat did for former manager Thomas Tuchel.

Since then, Graham Potter has guided Chelsea to a draw at home to Salzburg in his first game in charge and first match as a Champions League manager. With their next two European games in Italy and Austria, victory tonight would be a much-needed step forward in their bid to reach the knockout stage.

Chelsea vs. AC Milan lineups

Chelsea (3-4-3): Kepa (GK) — Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly —  James, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell — Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang

AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu (GK) — Dest, Kalulu, Tomori, Ballo-Toure — Bennacer, Tonali — Krunic, De Ketelaere, Leao — Giroud

What time is Chelsea vs. AC Milan?

Chelsea play host to AC Milan at Stamford Bridge in London, UK. It kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on Wednesday, October 5.

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Weds, October 5 Weds, October 5 Weds, October 5 Thurs, October 6
Time 20:00 BST 15:00 ET 15:00 ET 06:00 AEDT

Chelsea vs. AC Milan TV channel, live stream

  UK USA Canada Australia
TV channel BT Sport 2, BT Sport Ultimate — — —
Streaming BT Sport site/app Paramount+, ViX DAZN Stan Sport

UK: The match will be televised by BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Ultimate, with the stream available on BT Sport platforms.

USA: The match will be streamed for free in Spanish on ViX. It will also be available in English to subscribers of Paramount+.

Canada: Every Champions League match is streamed in Canada via DAZN.

Australia: Every Champions League match is streamed in Australia via Stan Sport.

Ben Miller

Ben Miller Photo

Ben Miller has been writing about sport for 25 years, following all levels of football as well as boxing, MMA, athletics and tennis. He’s seen five promotions, three relegations, one World Cup winner and home games in at least three different stadiums as a result of his lifelong devotion to Brighton & Hove Albion. His main aim each week is to cover at least one game or event that does not require a last-minute rewrite.