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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Astana 1-3 Chelsea
48. It is end to end stuff at the moment.
That sounds exciting but neither side have been into their opponents penalty area in this half so far.
Chukwuemeka is losing the ball all of the time.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
46. Ampah has come on for Neto at the interval.
Astana come forward on the counter but the move breaks down.
Chelsea continue to pass it about, patiently building play.
Kick-off: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
We are back underway in Kazakhstan.
The players will not want to leave the warmth of the changing room.
Astana get the second-half started.
HT: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
It is unlikely that the hosts are going to come back into this game.
Even if they do get more goals, they are giving chances at the other end with regularity.
Marc Guiu will be hoping to get that hat-trick now the second goal has been awarded to him.
HT: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
The Blues have dominated the game in Kazakhstan.
Despite only having a couple of first team players in the squad, there is a big gulf in quality between the sides.
Maresca will be disappointed that once again they seem unable to keep clean sheets.
HT: Astana 1-3 Chelsea
The referee brings the first half to a close.
Chelsea have been dominant but the hosts scored from only their second attack of the game.
Maresca will not be happy with conceding in this match.
Astana 1-3 Chelsea
45. What a great strike from the Croatian.
He had time and space, looking to bend one in the far corner.
Jorgensen was well beaten as the ball clipped the inside of the post on its way in.
We are going to have two added minutes.
Goal - Marin Tomasov (Astana)
Astana 0-3 Chelsea
43. The Chelsea youngsters are enjoying themselves out there.
Even the registered blind could see the gulf in class between the two teams.
Astana are looking to ask some questions of the visitors in defence for a change.
Astana 0-3 Chelsea
41. Despite this allegedly being a heated pitch, it looks very icy out there.
The temperature is supposed to be somewhere in the region of -10 degrees this evening.
It will make these players appreciate the tropical weather of West London, by comparison, when they come home.
Astana 0-3 Chelsea
39. As the corner is whipped in Veiga has a completely free header in the middle.
The keeper has no chance of saving his well-placed effort.
This could be one way traffic even more so now.
Goal - Renato Veiga (Chelsea)
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
37. The main aim for Chelsea this season has to be top four.
With all the money they have spent on transfers, they need the income of Europe's elite competition.
Meanwhile The Blues force another corner.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
35. Every fixture is pitting Chelsea against teams that they have never played before.
Not sure whether that says more about these European competitions or The Blues' fall from grace over recent years,
Astan a come forward and the ball is laid off to Geoffrey but it is an easy save for Jorgensen at his near post.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
33. Chelsea are trying their luck from all angles now.
Renata Veiga shoots from the edge of the box but the keeper saves.
Astana come forward but lose possession quickly.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
31. Maresca's side look like scoring whenever they come forward.
This time Guiu uses his strength to get between the defender and the ball.
He tries a shot from a tight angle but smashes it over the target.
Credit: Reuters Astana 0-2 Chelsea
29. The hardest part of this game for Chelsea will be the temperature.
Since conceding, Astana have offered very little going forward.
This could be like a training match for The Blues, in arctic conditions.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
27. Guiu is down receiving some treatment.
He seemed to get a knock to the knee.
Fortunately for Maresca, he is back to his feet and seemingly able to continue.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
25. This could be a long evening for the hosts.
They will just be grateful that The Blues didn't bring a first team.
Neto puts a teasing cross into the back post but Renato Veiga cannot make anything of it.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
23. Almost another goal from the visitors.
A shot from the edge of the box is parried by the keeper.
He does well to get to his feet and retrieve the ball before any Chelsea player can react.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
21. It seems they have put that last one down as an own goal.
Looking at the replays it is a tough one to call as to who got the last touch.
Either way, Maresca will be pleased with the start his side have made.
Credit: Reuters
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
19. Great play from Pedro Neto in the build-up.
The change of pace out wide left his marker for dead.
As he whipped the ball into the box, Guiu bundled it over the line to double the visitors lead.
Goal - Marc Guiu (Chelsea)
Astana 0-1 Chelsea
17. It was all too easy that goal.
Like watching a football match in the school playground.
Astana have the highest XG in this competition for goals against.
Astana 0-1 Chelsea
15. That was some good play from the Chelsea striker.
He picked the ball up out wide and beat his man, making beeline for goal.
Once he had the goal in sight, he slotted it past the Astana keeper with ease.