Chelsea have continued their pre-season schedule by posting a 3-1 victory over Udinese on Friday night.
Having suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal last weekend, head coach Thomas Tuchel did not hold back from criticising the level of performance from his players.
That humiliation in Florida came at a time when only a trip to the Dacia Arena remained on their schedule, increasing the need for an improved performance eight days before the start of their Premier League campaign.
Although Chelsea did not have it all their own way against the Serie A side, goals from N'Golo Kante, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount earned the Blues a deserved win.
The Premier League outfit had already threatened through Sterling and Mount before they eventually went in front on the 20-minute mark.
Kante was allowed to run towards goal without much pressure coming from the home side's defence and the Frenchman proceeded to lash a low strike from the edge of the area into the far corner with his weaker left foot.
The trio on the scoresheet! 😁 pic.twitter.com/crzYnlBKfC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 29, 2022
Chelsea continued their dominance with Mason Mount being denied a second from close range, but it was not long before Sterling managed to double his team's lead.
Having collected a through ball, a heavy touch made things more difficult for the summer signing, but the save from goalkeeper Marco Silvestri ricocheted off his leg and bobbled into the net.
Before half time, however, Udinese got back into the game. Edouard Mendy was only able to divert a long-range effort into the path of Gerard Deulofeu, and the winger was able to convert on the rebound.
Both teams had chances after the restart, Isaac Success squandering an opportunity for Udinese before Sterling's deflected shot hit the woodwork.
However, after a wave of substitutions had been made, Chelsea wrapped up victory in the final minute, Mount being in the right place to finish from close range after Callum Hudson-Odoi's perfect low cross.
Although the remainder of Chelsea's travelling squad will feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday, Tuchel will already be looking towards next weekend's domestic opener at Everton.
Darren Plant
