ON this evidence Enzo Maresca should win his first Chelsea trophy at a canter this season.
His Blues strolled past Panathinaikos without much need to engage their brains, let alone work up a sweat.
Chelsea run riot in Athens[/caption]
The biggest resistance offered in Athens was a crafty supporter armed with a green laser pen – trying but failing to put off the Chelsea players.
Given how much of a stroll some of these games should be, they offer a chance for those in need of a confidence boost.
Two of those did just that, Joao Felix scoring twice having struggled for minutes since his before and Mykhailo Mudryk netting one and setting up two.
Mudryk, desperately needing a statement performance, skied an early chance and looked to be heading for another frustrating night.
But soon he started to make things happen.
The Ukrainian, whose potential is undoubted but rarely looks like being fulfilled, was causing constant trouble down the left and teed up the opener.
After Felix flicked on a header into his path, Mudryk raced forward and picked his moment to slide the ball back to his Portuguese teammate, allowing him a first time finish past Bartlomiej Drągowski.
He could have had another assist minutes later too, squaring well for Enzo Fernandez to strike – though it was just tipped over.
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After a couple of early scares – including Filip Jorgensen needing to save from Tin Jedvaj’s second minute header – Chelsea were in full control.
They may have had a rough couple of years but they are clearly too good for Europe’s third tier competition.
That was made more than clear inside ten second half minutes as Chelsea bagged another three.
First Mudryk added to his first assist with a maiden goal of the season, heading in at the far post from Pedro Neto’s cross.
He then set Felix up for his second of the night, taking advantage of the hosts’ failure to clear a Neto cross, laying the ball back before the shot deflected in off Serbian Nemanja Maksimovic.
Within moments of putting the game beyond doubt, Felix won a penalty – his cross striking the hand of Daniel Mancini.
The winger was denied the chance to wrap up his hat-trick as Christopher Nkunku converted from the spot, despite having to deal with a laser pen constantly in his eye.
From there Chelsea slowed, a number of changes and chances for youngsters: Tyrique George, Marc Guiu and Cesare Casadei.
With Chelsea’s guard down a touch, the hosts grabbed a consolation.
Sub Georgios Vagiannidis found space down the right and crossed for former Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri to tap in at the far post.
