Astana v Chelsea LIVE: Conference League result as Blues ease to victory
Astana 1-3 Chelsea: Enzo Maresca’s youngsters earn fine win in Kazakhstan
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea secured their place in the Uefa Conference League last-16 with a fine display in Kazakhstan as they defeated Astana 3-1 away from home.
After victories in their firsr four matches in this competition, Enzo Maresca decided to leave the bulk of his first team squad in London and handed debuts to promising youngster including Josh Acheampong.
One of the young stars to benefit was Marc Guiu who netted twice in the first half as a dominant Chelsea cruised into the lead. A third goal from Renato Veiga put the match beyond doubt despite Marin Tomasov pulling one back for the hosts.
Astana were more of a threat throughout the second half but Chelsea controlled possession well and limited opportunities for them to score. The whistle went at 3-1 and the Blues come away with another crucial three points.
Relive the updates from the Conference League in our live blog below:
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
39 mins: Chelsea youngsters seem right at home on this stage. The Conference League is a perfect opportunity for them to get a feel for the first team.
Astana are trying to punch back. Chineda gets another sight at goal as he arrives in the box from the left. He shoots first time and sends the ball straight into the hands of Filip Jorgensen.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
36 mins: Oh hello, maybe they do?
A quick counter attack sees the hosts force Chelsea to back track. The ball is sent up to Chinedu who has a lot of space ahead of him. He decides to unleash a shot but mishits it and lifts the ball very high and very wide.
He sighs in frustration at his own effort.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
33 mins: Chelsea’s dominance continues. Watching this game feels as though Chelsea are picking their moments to attack and score goals.
Their build-up is slow but controlled and Astana don’t have an answer.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
30 mins: Marc Guiu is clattered and stays on the deck after taking a knock to the knee from Aleksa Amanovic. The Astana midfielder is booked and Guiu needs to run the pain off, especially in this cold weather.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
27 mins: Close!
Pedro Neto works the ball onto his left foot and lifts a cross over to the back post. Renato Veiga makes a deep run the looks to turn the half-volley effort in at the near post.
He doesn’t catch it right and the ball is lofted high.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
25 mins: There’s no escape for Astana. Chelsea are forcing them to defend deeper and deeper and when the ball is booted long the visitors win it back quickly and keep up their momentum.
Astana 0-2 Chelsea
22 mins: Marc Guiu has been awarded the second Chelsea goal after Uefa scanned the replays of it. Apparantly if hit him last before going in.
The youngster will be pleased with that outcome.
GOAL! Astana 0-2 Chelsea (Marc Guiu, 18’)
Another one!
Pedro Neto makes it with an injection in pace on the right wing and dances into the box. He laces a pass across the face of goal and forces the keeper to push it away.
He deflects it into the path of Aleksandr Marchokin and the ball bounces off the defender’s back onto Marc Guic and into the back of the net.
Astana 0-1 Chelsea
17 mins: Chelsea have the goal they wanted and they’re being allowed to stroll around the midfield without too much trouble. Now that they’ve settled, Chelsea could notch up a big score here.
GOAL! Astana 0-1 Chelsea (Marc Guiu, 14’)
It didn’t take long!
Marc Guiu receives the ball on the right wing and decides to go it alone. He takes on the nearest defender and sweeps around the outside before darting into the box and poking a fine shot past the goalkeeper.
Chelsea lead.
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