Youthful Chelsea thump hapless Ajax 5-1 in Champions League

LONDON – Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said he has a lot of trust in his young players, as a youthful side hammered Ajax Amsterdam 5-1 in an eventful Champions League game on Wednesday.

The victory included three goals from teenagers, three penalties and a red card, under pouring rain at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca put out a side with an average age of 22 and made 10 changes from the team that beat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend.

“We trust a lot of young players,” said the Italian after the goals for Marc Guiu, Estevao and Tyrique George.

“That is the strategy of the club, but not only the ones that we buy. Also the ones from the academy. I work with them every day. I know what they can do. The good thing about them is that they want to learn, they want to improve."

Ajax's night turned sour in the 17th minute when captain Kenneth Taylor was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Facundo Buonanotte after referee Felix Zwayer consulted the pitchside monitor and changed his original yellow card to red.

A minute later, following the resulting free kick, 19-year-old Guiu knocked the ball into the net from close range latching on to a Wesley Fofana cross.

Moises Caicedo made it two in the 29th minute with an audacious low shot from 30 metres that took a deflection into the net.

Lofty Ajax striker Wout Weghorst reduced the deficit in the 27th minute from the penalty spot after Tosin Adarabioyo had trodden on Raul Moro's foot.

But the Ajax numbers' shortfall soon told again and, when Weghorst brought Enzo Fernandez down with a sliding tackle in the 45th, the Chelsea captain for the night beat 41-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer from the spot.

Five minutes later, deep into added time, Youri Baas brought down Estevao with another reckless tackle and the 18-year-old Brazilian slammed the resulting penalty high into the net for a 4-1 half-time lead.

The second half was damage limitation for the Dutch side, who have lost all their Champions League games so far, shipping 11 goals and scoring only one – Wednesday’s penalty.

Chelsea, now brimming with confidence, brought on forward Tyrique George at half-time and the 19-year-old scored within three minutes, pouncing on a loose ball in the area.

Both he and the ever-energetic Estevao had chances to increase the home side's lead as Chelsea buzzed round the Ajax area but they could not replicate the frenzy of the first half.

There was also a second-half appearance from Reggie Walsh, who turned 17 only last Monday and became Chelsea's youngest Champions League player.

"I am very proud," Maresca added, conceding that the red card had changed the game. "It was a great night especially for the young players and for the club."

Chelsea have moved to 11th in the Champions League table after defeat by Bayern Munich in the first game of the season followed by victory against Benfica and Wednesday's win.

Ajax are bottom of the table. REUTERS, AFP