Summary

Raheem Sterling netted two goals with a lovely assist to Nicholas Jackson as Chelsea notched its first win of the 2023-2024 Premier League season.

Key moment: Chelsea extend lead with great passing

The second goal of the match for Sterling not only created some breathing room for Chelsea, but had a quality buildup that will surely elevate the confidence of the whole team. Moises Caicedo picked up a hockey assist on a beautiful long ball to Malo Gusto out wide, who delivered a low cross to Sterling in the box. The world-class winger employed his right foot to power a strike into the bottom left corner of the net, extending the Chelsea lead to 2-0.

Caicedo had a rough start to his Chelsea campaign, but played much better Friday and playing an instrumental role in the second Sterling goal undoubtedly eased some pressure off his shoulders.

Significance

Chelsea have moved up to the eighth spot in the Premier League table, though they are a game ahead of the rest of the league at the time of writing. Still, the Blues didn’t want to wait too long to get that first win of the season, and it was imperative it came no later than Friday against a team projected to finish in or near the relegation zone.

Up next

Chelsea will face AFC Wimbledon at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, in the second round of the EFL Cup. Luton Town will take on West Ham at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at home.