Monday 10 September
Italy came unstuck in Portugal as Jorginho and his colleagues looked way behind the hosts.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored for England U19 as they beat Belgium in a friendly. Tariq Lamptey and George McEachran both played.
Tuesday 11 September
Eden has really hit the ground running this season, this time scoring a penalty as Belgium made Iceland look ordinary in winning 0-3.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek started for England against Switzerland but didn’t really stamp his mark on the game. England are still playing without a midfield and expecting Ruben to run things with only a few minute on the pitch this season is a little bit unreasonable. That England still managed to beat a decent and well organised Swiss side suggests we are still going in the right direction.
Wednesday 12 September
SFK 2000 Sarajevo 0:5 Chelsea
This was a bit of a mismatch as Millie Bright, Drew Spence, Maria Thorisdottir, Ji So-Yun and Adelina Engman scored the goals in a totally dominant performance.
Friday 14 September
Swansea City U18 1:2 Chelsea U18
Early goals from Tino Anjorin and Sam McClelland handed us a great advantage but Swansea fought back and left us hanging on for the points. Still back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Saturday 15 September
Chelsea 4:1 Cardiff City
This was brilliant. A wonderful afternoon of scintillating football that even an early, clumsily conceded, a goal couldn’t dampen.
We were caught on the back-foot in the opening exchanges as Cardiff floated in a free-kick for Bamba to score. The slightly stunned reaction in the crowd didn’t translate to the pitch as we streamed forwards time and again.
The first goal of Eden Hazard’s hat-trick was amazing. Giroud, in from the start and making a difference, played one of a number of astute balls for Hazard. The Belgian’s feint to wrong-foot the defender was subtle but sublime, his finish assured across the ’keeper. It should win goal of the season.
His second was a deflected finish to another fine move his third a penalty after Willian had been bundled over. Willian’s finish for the fourth was unerring as he curled the ball in from just outside the box.
We have now won our first five games of the season but Sarri was keen that we not get out hope up … yeah, like that would happen.
Frank Lampard is still showing plenty of passion for the game as he was sent to the stands as his Derby side lost a man and by a penalty to Rotherham.
Sunday 16 September
Crystal Palace 0:4 Chelsea
Inter-continental ballistic cup action for the women and a brace from Bethany England and one each for Adelina Engman and Drew Spence made easy work of the Eagles. It is our third win in a row in this competition.
Chelsea U23 1:1 Leicester City U23
A Callum Hudson-Odoi penalty was the only chance we converted but we could have won this by a mile with more composed finishing. Ethan Ampadu, Lucas Piazon and Hudson-Odoi came into the side for run outs.
