Udinese 1 Chelsea 3 : Three Super Eagles-eligible players feature as Blues return to winning ways

Premier League giants Chelsea engaged in a pre-season friendly game against Serie A side Udinese Calcio at the Dacia Arena today with the final score ending in a 3-1 defeat for the Bianconeri.

 

Chelsea returned to winning ways after suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in their last pre-season fixture before their trip to Italy.

The match comes as Udinese's final pre-season game as Nigeria international Isaac Success and Nigeria-eligible left-back Destiny Udogie were able to make the Bianconeri's starting line-up.

Derby County academy product of Nigerian descent Festy Ebosele entered the game as a substitute with four minutes left on the clock, replacing Udogie. 

The game started at a frantic pace with Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri making crucial stops to deny Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount from close range in the 6th and 13th minute respectively.

France's World Cup-winning midfielder N'golo Kante broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a lovely shot into the bottom corner via the post after dancing through a few Udinese players in a mesmerizing run.

New signing Raheem Sterling then doubled the Blues' lead in the 37th minute via a rebound after his initial effort was saved by Silvestri. 

Udinese pulled one back before the break as Gerard Deulofeu pounced on a loose ball after Edouard Mendy parried Pereyra's initial shot.

Sterling then hit a back heel shot which was heading for goal in the 55th minute before Udogie made a crucial block to keep the score at 1-2.

Success also found space on the edge of the area a few minutes later but his shot went wide of the post.

Chelsea dominated every facet of play onwards with Udogie and Success helping the Bianconeri keep a tight defence and repel every wave of attack from Thomas Tuchel's men.

Their resolute defence was breached late in the game as substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi found space past Udogie's left side to fire in a cross which Mount made no mistake from.

Sofoluwe Mayowa

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com

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