Graham Potter provided a concerning Wesley Fofana injury update, and claimed the Chelsea players made an important realisation that’s made his job much easier.
Chelsea walked all over the Serie A champions at Stamford Bridge to get their Champions League campaign back on track. Hosting AC Milan looked a difficult task on paper, but the Blues made light work of their Italian job.
Wesley Fofana scored his first goal for the club mid-way through the first half when rolling home after an almighty goal-mouth scramble from a corner.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the lead just before the hour mark. Reece James whipped a teasing cross into the six-yard box and Aubameyang did what he does best from close range.
James put the tie to bed five minutes later when finishing emphatically from a tight angle.
The Blues moved the ball quickly after AC Milan surrendered possession in their own half. James was the final recipient of sharp passing and fired into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
The victory breathed new life into Chelsea’s UCL campaign after beginning the group phase with a defeat and a draw.
What’s more, RB Salzburg’s 1-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb means Chelsea are now only one point off top spot in Group E.
The only sour note on a thoroughly convincing night was a knee injury sustained by goalscorer Fofana.
The centre-half tried to carry on after appearing to jar his knee, but couldn’t continue and was replaced by Trevoh Chalobah late in the first half.
Graham Potter reaction
Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Graham Potter said: “It was a good night for us.
“We needed to play well and have a good attitude. I thought the attitude and application of the players was fantastic. A really important win for us.
“I thought we started off a little nervous,” continued Potter. “[That was] probably a result of us wanting to do so well.
“But then you saw the appetite of the players when we got control of it and offered a threat.
“The [first] goal is important, then we had to start on a back foot a little bit in the second half. We suffered a bit… which is good.
“Obviously scoring the second goal gives us a breather, but overall I can’t complain. Clean sheet, three goals, great personality from the players… really good.”
Fofana injury update
On centre-half Fofana who pulled up with a knee injury, Potter said: “We’ll have to scan it tomorrow [and] see how he is.”
After taking a few seconds to choose his next words carefully, the suddenly glum looking Blues boss added: “Nothing to report at the moment, but that’s the one disappointing thing of the evening.”
Via Football London’s Adam Newson, Fofana was later pictured on crutches.
When asked how satisfying it was to dominate the Serie A champions, he continued: “It was a good performance from the team.
“Apart from the end of the first half they didn’t have too many chances.
“That says a lot about the team, about how we defended as a unit. We also offered enough in attack to score ourselves.
“It’s an important win but we’ve still got a long way to go in the competition.”
On results like tonight helping to bring the group closer together, Potter concluded: “The boys have been really open, honest, responsible.
“They’ve been fantastic to work with and they realise they weren’t at the levels they’ve been at. They know they can do better and that’s great from a coach’s perspective.”
Humble Aubameyang cracks after one comment
Goalscorer Aubameyang also spoke to BT Sport. He admitted Chelsea were “dominant” despite initially trying to give a diplomatic assessment of Milan’s poor display.
“It was not an easy game,” said Aubameyang despite Chelsea cruising to victory. “They played well in the first half.
“But we kept the intensity really high and we were dominant and confident.”
On enjoying his time at Chelsea, he continued: “Yes, definitely, I’m feeling good.
“I was [made] very welcome from all the team and the staff so I’m feeling very good.”
Aubameyang added: “The first goal was very important. It gave us strength and confidence to play the game.
“We knew what we had to do against Milan because they have great strikers as well and I think our defenders did an incredible job today.”
The veteran forward was then asked about how the team is gelling and bonding with so many new signings and a new manager at the helm.
“It’s easier when you win games,” said Aubameyang. “The mood is very good and we’ll try to keep keep it up.”