Chelsea have secured safe passage to the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 after three first-half goals did the damage in Kazakhstan against FC Astana.
The Blues made light work of the subzero temperatures in what was comfortably our furthest European trip ever. Marc Guiu grabbed two early goals to set us on our way, with his solo strike for the first a particularly eye-catching effort.
Chelsea continued to dominate and we deservedly extended our advantage through Renato Veiga’s second goal in this competition, a powerful header from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s corner.
The Kazakh hosts had a moment to cheer before the break when Marin Tomasov curled a fine strike beyond Filip Jorgensen’s reach, but otherwise the Blues were largely comfortable in making it five from five in this competition’s league phase.
There was added satisfaction for Enzo Maresca as he was able to give three youngsters – Ato Ampah, Shumaira Mheuka and Kiano Dyer – their Chelsea debuts off the bench, while Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George were two of our brightest performers having featured from the off.
The Blues host Brentford at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is at 7pm UK time.
