Match Report | Chelsea 3-0 Town
A second goal for Mauricio Pochettino’s men came in the 68th minute when Sterling once again finished well from a Malo Gusto cross before a third goal came in the form of a Nicolas Jackson tap-in seven minutes later.
Rob Edwards made two changes to the side that lost at Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening weekend of the season, with former Chelsea man Ross Barkley making his debut, coming in for Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Reece Burke coming back from injury to replace Mads Andersen.
Looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to West Ham last Sunday, Chelsea started the game in a fierce pursuit of a goal and almost found it just five minutes in when England international Sterling was played in down the right-flank, but a strong block from Hatters’ captain Tom Lockyer, denied the hosts an opener.
Minutes later, Sterling looked to have opened the scoring when his volley from the edge of the box fizzed through a host of Luton bodies, only to be denied by a stunning reflex from Thomas Kaminski.
The duo combined again in the 68th when Gusto ran onto a pass from British record transfer signing Moises Caicedo, looking composed on his first start for Chelsea, and the Frenchman crossed for a simple finish by Sterling.
Seven minutes later, Sterling turned provider as he crossed for Jackson and the Senegal striker stretched out a boot to score his first Chelsea goal since signing from Villarreal in June.
It was the big-spending Blues’ first win of the season after an opening day 1-1 draw against Liverpool and last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham United and only their second win in 15 Premier League games including last season’s dreadful run.
After his £50m transfer from Manchester City, last season Sterling scored nine goals in 38 appearances – his lowest return since his debut campaign with Liverpool.
This season, however, Sterling looks like he is getting back to his best. Pochettino has spoken to the forward throughout this pre-season and the beginning of the campaign as he looks to get the best out of him – which seems to be having the desired effect.
Sterling’s opening goal showed exactly why he is a key part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad when fully fit. He has not been in the past two Three Lions squads because of fitness issues, but it seems likely he will be included following his start to this season when the latest squad is named next week.
His second goal against Luton showed his calmness when in dangerous positions, and the pass for Jackson’s goal highlighted his quality.
Live Text
- Match ends, Chelsea 3, Luton Town 0.
- Second Half ends, Chelsea 3, Luton Town 0.
- Substitution, Chelsea. Mason Burstow replaces Raheem Sterling.
- Ian Maatsen (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- Foul by Ian Maatsen (Chelsea).
- Tom Lockyer (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- Attempt blocked. Jacob Brown (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
- Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Moisés Caicedo.
- Substitution, Chelsea. Ian Maatsen replaces Ben Chilwell.
- Attempt missed. Jacob Brown (Luton Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Carlton Morris with a headed pass.
- Attempt saved. Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Chilwell.
- Substitution, Chelsea. Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Nicolas Jackson.
- Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- Foul by Alfie Doughty (Luton Town).
- Corner, Luton Town. Conceded by Axel Disasi.
- Attempt blocked. Carlton Morris (Luton Town) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
- Attempt blocked. Carlton Morris (Luton Town) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Marvelous Nakamba.
- Attempt blocked. Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- Foul by Malo Gusto (Chelsea).
- Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
