- The Blues needed only a point to secure their spot in next round of competition
- Delap scored his first with Tosin Adarabioyo and Tyrique George also netting
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Just when a Mexican wave was forming around the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and those at home in England were wondering why they ever bothered staying up to watch this, Liam Delap grabbed his first goal for Chelsea and with it, everyone’s attention.
It was a lovely one to open his account, with Delap first displaying his brawn and then his brains. The 22-year-old Englishman stopped any ES Tunis defender from getting close to the ball, and then calmly rolled it into the corner, confirming this victory for Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca’s side will now move into the Club World Cup’s last 16 where they will face Benfica in Charlotte this Saturday. The winner of that game would then face either Palmeiras or Botafogo in the quarter-finals in Philadelphia on July 4. Their side of the draw has opened up for them.
Thankfully, Chelsea did not need to spend too much energy in dispatching ES Tunis here, even if they did wait until first-half stoppage time to finally strike with two quick-fire goals. First, Enzo Fernandez set up Tosin Adarabioyo’s header. Then, Fernandez fed Delap for his fine finish.
From then on, it was more important that they did not overexert themselves with Tyrique George completing the scoreline in stoppage time. Not in this heat and humidity. This was a record-breaking day for Philadelphia, the hottest this Pennsylvanian city had been in 13 years as temperatures reached 100F (37.8C). FIFA president Gianni Infantino was here for this group game, too, and it remained 95F (35C) despite the 9pm kick-off time.
Not ideal conditions for a competitive kickabout, nor the sniffer dogs on the gates who were wearing crocs to protect their paws. Maresca spared Cole Palmer the mugginess. He was one of eight changes made by Chelsea’s head coach while Nicolas Jackson was suspended following his red card versus Flamengo. In his absence, Delap is impressing.
Among a selection of surprise tactical choices, Maresca used Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as a right winger, Malo Gusto as an inverting left back and 19-year-old academy graduate Josh Acheampong as a right back. The experiments took a while to work in front of the 32,967 fans in attendance here in Philly.
After 15 minutes, a nice take and step inside into space from Delap saw his 20-yarder saved by ES Tunis goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said. After 20, Gusto’s cross should have led to the opening goal, but Dewsbury-Hall, as if his head were shaped like a 50p coin, skewed his header.
When Benoit Badiashile’s crack led to a corner, Chelsea worked their set-piece to Acheampong, who nearly scored from 25 yards. That was the cue for the crowd at the Lincoln Financial Field to begin a Mexican wave. Never a good sign at a game of football.
In first-half stoppage time, however, Chelsea finally struck. Fernandez crossed, Adarabioyo headed, and it was 1-0 in what was a straightforward move.
Then it became 2-0 before the break when Fernandez fed Delap. Chelsea’s striker showed his strength in keeping hold of the ball before scoring into the bottom corner.
You suspect it will not take Chelsea supporters too long to learn to love what Delap, their £30million signing from Ipswich Town, brings to their team. For one, he does not shirk the work. Two, he is a battler. Three, he knows how to score goals. This was a fine one, and the first of many, he will hope.
In the 50th minute, Chelsea wanted a penalty as Nkunku barged into the box with fine feet. Finding himself in traffic, he dropped down, and no penalty was awarded.
After 59, Delap’s day was done. A single yellow card would have ruled him out of Chelsea’s last-16 tie with Benfica and so he was replaced by Marc Guiu to a standing ovation. Romeo Lavia, given his muscular history, was also subbed for Dario Essugo.
Andrey Santos was introduced for his competitive debut for Chelsea and after 75 minutes, his shot was blocked by the arm of Yassine Meriah. Initially, the penalty was awarded, then VAR took a long while to decide it was harsh. It was overturned, robbing Nkunku of his chance of scoring.
In stoppage time, another substitute in 19-year-old George picked up possession and scored through ES Tunis’ goalkeeper Ben Said, who was poor here, from 25 yards to complete the 3-0 win.
Chelsea are into the last-16 of the Club World Cup and you have to say, an inviting pathway has presented itself to them here in the United States. The prospect of playing Benfica for a subsequent quarter-final showdown with Palmeiras or Botafogo? They would have taken that at this tournament’s beginning, happily.
