Astana 1-3 Chelsea LIVE RESULT: Marc Guiu on the double for Blues in sub-zero Europa Conference clash – latest
CHELSEA defeated Astana 3-1 in freezing conditions to progress from the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
The Blues raced into a 3-0 lead with striker Marc Guiu on the double as Enzo Maresca made TEN changes from the Premier League win over Tottenham.
However, the hosts pulled one back to set up an intriguing second half in sub-zero temperatures.
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Marc shows he is the Guiu for Maresca
With Jackson and Nkunku ahead of him in the pecking order as striker, Marc Guiu reminded the manager of his abilities.
Largely quiet in the second-half, before the interval he was full of running and bagged two goals in the process.
The 20-year-old Spaniard does look like he could be one for the future for The Blues.
Blues dominating Conference League
Chelsea sit top of the table with their 100% record intact.
Depending on other results tonight, they may also secure their passage to the last-16.
The aim for The Blues has to be to win this and bring some silverware back to Stamford Bridge.
FT: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
Chelsea dominated this game from start to finish.
Their young squad just had too much quality for Astana.
Fair play to the fans who travelled over here, one hell of a journey.
FT: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
The referee brings the game to a close.
It has been a comfortable win in Kazakhstan.
All the goals tonight coming in the first-half.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
90. Chelsea seem content to hold onto this lead now.
They are just passing out, trying to manage the game.
We are going to have two added minutes.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
88. Tomasov has looked the stand-out player for the hosts.
However, his night is done as Gripshi comes on for him.
Just before that substitution, he was involved again as he set it up for Camara.
Sadly, as he cut inside, he was off balance as he shot and it goes harmlessly wide.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
86. Dewsbury-Hall picks the ball up and glides through the Astana defence.
He looks to take it around the keeper but the angle gets too tight for him to shoot.
They win a corner but it is easily cleared by the hosts.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
84. George is desperately trying to get on the scoresheet.
As soon as he receives the ball, he is looking to get a shot off.
All these hungry, young players are looking to make their mark in front of the manager.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
82. This has been a relatively easy victory for The Blues.
On rare occasions Astana have given them problems.
But being able to play a reserve side and still top this Conference League is a luxury for Chelsea.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
80. Astana almost have a chance to get a second.
As they looked to cross into the box, it deflects off a defender and Jorgensen is able to gather.
Should have done better from there, they had players in good positions.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
78. Guiu comes off for Mheuka.
Maresca is looking to give the youngsters a run out here.
Fans are getting to see the future of the club in this game tonight.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
76. Ampah looks to run at the defence but he has a heavy touch.
It allows the defender to ghost in and win the ball.
We are heading into the last quarter of an hour of the game and you cannot see any way back into the game for the hosts right now.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
74. Chelsea are looking to get shots away all of the time now.
To their credit, Astana are getting a lot of blocks in to protect their keeper.
You do feel another goal for The Blues is imminent.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
72. Dewsbury-Hall runs towards the edge of the box with the Astana defenders backing off him.
He lets fly with his left-foot but his shot narrowly misses the far post.
Good effort from the former Leicester man, the keeper was at full-stretch and beaten there.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
70. Chelsea are looking to turn the screw here.
Goerge plays another dangerous cross into the box but the keeper gets a hand to it.
Astana react well in defence to hack the ball clear before any of the visitors can react.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
68. Vale has come on for Chukwuemeka.
George does well down the left and play a great cross into the near post.
Vale looks to convert but it is deflected wide for a corner.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
66. It is all a bit scrappy in the middle of the park.
Both sides cannot seem to string more than four passes together.
Another goal for the visitors could see the Astana players' heads drop here.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
64. Chukwuemeka iis bossing the midfield since the interval.
The only criticism of his bursts forward through the middle would be that he needs to pick a pass earlier.
He only seems to want to do that when his progress is blocked.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
62. George once again looks to get a shot away from the edge of the box.
The deflection takes the sting out of the shot and Seysen saves at his near post.
Chelsea are starting to grow into this half more in an attacking sense.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
60. Big chance for the visitors.
Chukwuemeka danced through the defence before finding himself one-on-one with the keeper at a tight angle.
His shot is blocked and rebounds to George, who looks to pass it into the net, but it is cleared off the line.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
58. It is so cold at this stadium, it looks like all the players have dementors after them.
Astana, to their credit, have been far more attacking in this half.
It seems as though they have decided to have a go rather than giving their opponents too much respect.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
56. Chukwuemeka does well down the left and wins a free kick.
The Blues play it short and then pass it all the way back to the defence.
They are missing the direct running of Neto in this second-half.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
54. Guiu has been very quiet in this half.
Chelsea are seeing a lot of possession but not asking too many questions of the Astana defence and keeper.
They may feel this job is done but a goal from the hosts would put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
52. Tomasov cuts inside onto his left foot.
He unleashes a shot from outside the box which is arrowing towards the top corner.
Jorgensen parries it behind for a corner.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
50. Camara is looking dangerous for the hosts.
Since the interval, he has asked some serious questions of Chelsea.
The defenders are struggling to cope with his close control and trickery.