Watch Thursday’s Chelsea highlights as Enzo Maresca’s side overcame German opponents 1. FC Heidenheim in the Europa Conference League.
On-loan Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho was twice on hand to set up Chelsea’s goals after a nervous opening half.
Making his first start for the Blues since October, Sancho set up Christopher Nkunku’s opener 51 minutes in before assisting Mykhailo Mudryk’s superb strike to seal the win.
It wasn’t a routine victory, though. Chelsea’s clean sheet was maintained only by some fine stops by keeper Filip Jorgensen.
The 22-year-old made a string of big saves – including a superb, one-handed stop from Paul Wanner’s strike.
Chelsea finished the game a man down, with midfielder Cesare Casadei sent off in added time after receiving a second booking.
Hosts Heidenheim have enjoyed a fairytale rise through the leagues, and offered Chelsea their toughest challenge in Europe this season.
Watch: Chelsea Highlights Vs 1. FC Heidenheim
The victory maintains Chelsea’s perfect record in the Europa Conference League. With four wins from four, they sit top of the standings with two games remaining.
Speaking after the win, Enzo Maresca highlighted the importance of Sancho. The 24-year-old has struggled with injury and illness, but seems to be regaining his form.
Maresca said: “I said, since we start, Jadon is very important for us.
“He has to be fit, mentally and physically, and he is going to help us a lot. Unfortunately, we did not use him in the last few games but he is showing how important he is.
“We need that quality in the last third against a low block. He is going to help us a lot.”
With the Blues now closing in on an automatic place in the last-16, they look worthy of their tag as Conference League favourites.
And Sancho himself made it clear his side expects to go deep into the tournament.
He said: “We want to go all the way and win this competition.
“It’s like any other competition that we’re in. We’re always going to take it game by game, and hopefully we get the results that we want.”
Next up in Europe, Chelsea face Astana in the Conference League on 12 December. But first, they host Aston Villa before trips to Southampton and Tottenham in the Premier League.
