Match report as Chelsea beat Red Bull Salzburg 2-1 in Austria to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League; Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz scored impressive goals either side of half-time for the Blues; Junior Adamu scored Salzburg's goal just after the break
Chelsea reached the Champions League knockout stages with a game to spare after Kai Havertz's stunning second-half strike helped to see off Red Bull Salzburg.
The Blues now cannot be caught by either the Austrian champions or AC Milan, meaning Graham Potter, who is now unbeaten in his first nine matches as Chelsea's head coach, has the luxury of being able to rest players in the final group game at home to Dinamo Zagreb next week.
The visitors' margin of victory should have been far greater but a combination of some wasteful finishing from Pierre-Emerick Aubemayeng and Havertz, and some inspired goalkeeping by Salzburg's Philipp Kohn, meant the result was in the balance until the final whistle.
But Havertz put his early miss behind him to ensure he ended up as the match-winner when he swept home a brilliant effort from the edge of the Salzburg area, which even outshone the classy goal Mateo Kovacic scored in the first half and cancelled out Junior Adamu's equaliser just after half-time.
How Chelsea ended Salzburg's 40-game unbeaten home run
Potter has enjoyed a strong start to life as Chelsea's head coach and he may feel the first 45 minutes at the Red Bull Arena was the best his side have produced during his short time in charge.
Salzburg were able to rattle their more illustrious visitors with their high press in the opening exchanges but Chelsea quickly established their authority and took the lead through Kovacic, whose effort from the edge of the area seemed to catch everyone - including the motionless Kohn - unawares as it flew into the top corner.
Team news
- Graham Potter made four changes to his Chelsea side, with Christian Pulisic, Conor Gallagher, Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz replacing Cesar Azpilicueta, Ben Chilwell, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount
- Red Bull Salzburg made two alterations to their starting XI, with Luka Sucic and Amar Dedic replacing Oumar Solet and Lawrence Agyekum
Potter's side proceeded to create a plethora of chances as they bamboozled Salzburg with their slick attacking football but were unable to extend their advantage as Aubameyang dallied over a one-on-one with Kohn, while Havertz directed a weak header straight at the 'keeper.
Potter's predecessor Thomas Tuchel had often bemoaned Chelsea's lack of cutting edge and it looked as though the same issue would trouble Potter when Salzburg stunned the Premier League side shortly after half-time.
The head coach had boldly opted for Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic as his wing-backs in a 3-5-2 formation and, while they played their role in Chelsea's impressive attacking display, the duo left space behind them for the Austrian side to exploit, which they did when Maximilian Wober's brilliant cross from the left was turned in by Adamu.
But, after absorbing that body blow at the start of the half, Chelsea composed themselves and re-established their lead through Havertz, whose stunning finish had more than a passing resemblance to his first goal for Germany in their draw with England last month.
Chelsea had further chances to add to their lead - notably through Pulisic, who fluffed his lines when set up by Havertz - while Kepa Arrizabalaga had to be bailed out by Thiago Silva when he was beaten to a high ball into the area by Strahinja Pavlovic, but Chelsea were able to hold on and end Salzburg's remarkable 40-game unbeaten run at home.
| Possession |
|---|
| 29.4% | 29.4%70.6% | 70.6% |
| Duels success rate |
|---|
| 48.7% | 48.7%51.3% | 51.3% |
| Aerial duels won |
|---|
| 40.5% | 40.5%59.5% | 59.5% |
| Interceptions |
|---|
| 7 | 78 | 8 |
| Offsides |
|---|
| 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Corners won |
|---|
| 9 | 93 | 3 |
What's next?
Chelsea will be back in Premier League action against Brighton on Saturday; kick-off 3pm. They will then welcome Dinamo Zagreb to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday November 2 in their final Champions League group match.
Red Bull Salzburg will face Hartberg in the Austrian Bundesliga before facing AC Milan next Wednesday in their final Champions League group match.
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