Chelsea capitalized on an early Ajax red card to secure a dominant 5–1 Champions League victory at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea stormed to a 5–1 victory over 10-man Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday, taking full advantage of captain Kenneth Taylor’s early red card.
Manager Enzo Maresca’s decision to make 10 changes paid off as Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo scored before Enzo Fernandez and Estevao converted two penalties in the first half. Substitute Tyrique George completed the rout after the break.
Ajax, reduced to 10 men in the 15th minute after VAR upgraded Taylor’s foul on Facundo Buonanotte to a red, never recovered. Wout Weghorst briefly pulled one back from the spot, but Fernandez and Estevao’s penalties sealed the result before halftime.
Chelsea, who had lost their opening match to Bayern Munich, have now recorded back-to-back wins. “We made the numerical advantage count,” Maresca said post-match.
The victory lifts Chelsea to 11th in the table, while Ajax remain bottom, still without a point or goal in this season’s competition.