Chelsea 2 LAFC 0: Liam Delap gets assist on Blues debut as Enzo Maresca's side make perfect start at Club World Cup
PEDRO NETO and Enzo Fernandez sunk Los Angeles FC to open Chelsea's Club World Cup account.
Portuguese wizard Neto was at his tricky best as the Blues battled past the MLS side in Atlanta.
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Liam Delap showed Chelsea fans what he's about with an assist on debut
Credit: Getty
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Pedro Neto was on target as Chelsea overcame a battling Los Angeles FC
Credit: AP
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The Portuguese winger smashed in after a brilliant run to open the scoring
Credit: AFP
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Tempers flared at half-time in what was a feisty encounter
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Enzo Fernandez sealed the points with a second-half strike
Credit: Reuters
Enzo Maresca gave starts to
The Blues dominated the early stages against the nervy Americans, who packed in deep infront of a small band of noisy ultras from California.
Palmer and Jackson both went close as Maresca's men began to take control.
And it was Neto who sealed the breakthrough, twisting and turning his marker inside out on the right side of the box.
The Portuguese winger sized up LA's Hugo Lloris, before hammering past the ex-Spurs keeper at his near post.
Tempers flared at the break as
Both were lucky to avoid a card, with Reece James saving his teammate from a potentially needless incident.
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And it was the lively Bouanga who almost levelled after the restart, with Robert Sanchez saving brilliantly with his legs after the Frenchman burst into the box.
LA called for some French inspiration off the bench, bringing on former Chelsea legend Olivier Giroud.
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Chelsea followed suit by bringing new
Delap looked sharp and eager from the off, providing the second on a plate for Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea stars including Cole Palmer fly to the US for Club World Cup
The England U21 star peeled off his marker and was released down the wing by Palmer.
Delap took one look up and chipped in a perfect cross for Fernandez to bundle in.
LA continued to show heart and should have at least grabbed a consolation.
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Bouanga was released over the top late in the contest, only to fire straight at Sanchez.
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And there was still time for Neto to slam the crossbar with a stunning strike in the final seconds.
It was job done for Maresca's men, who now face
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Delap grabbed an assist off the bench for Chelsea
Credit: Getty
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The new £30m man put in a brilliant ball for Enzo to net the second
Credit: Reuters
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