This was a mismatch from the start, one of those Europa League group games where Chelsea might have lapsed into a stroll and prevailed with just as much to spare, but it still had its moment to savour. The clock had ticked on to the hour-mark with PAOK heaving to repel another of the hosts’ attacks when Gary Cahill and Cesc Fàbregas retrieved possession, with the latter slipping Callum Hudson-Odoi free into space down the left.
The teenager scuttled forward, Léo Matos backing off further with the forward’s every delicate touch, before effortlessly stroking away an early shot with the inside of his right foot. Both defender and goalkeeper had clearly anticipated the effort being angled towards the far post, only for the ball to fizz inside the near post as a startled Alexandros Paschalakis dived forlornly to his right.
Written by Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/29/chelsea-paok-europa-league-match-report under the title “Callum Hudson-Odoi scores first Chelsea goal in thrashing of 10-man PAOK”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
