Es tunis 0 – 3 chelsea

Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal while the Premier League team reached the last 16 of the club World Cup with a 3-0 victory against Esperance Tunis.

The former Ipswich striker struck for a few moments after defender Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring in the first half of the time to dose his last match in group D in Philadelphia.

Tyrique George scored a third in the time added at the end of the match after Chelsea received a penalty for handball reversed by Var.

The result means that the Londoners will now face Benfica – the surprise winners of group C before Bayern Munich – in the next round in Charlotte on Saturday.

It was an opportunity where Delap began to reimburse its costs of 30 million pounds sterling.

With Nicolas Jackson suspended, the 22 -year -old was one of the three players to keep his place as manager Enzo Maresca stuck to his plan to rotate his team on what was a hot and sticky night in Pennsylvania, with the temperature still 33c when the match started at 9 p.m.

Its objective – to come in a double fire, both created by Enzo Fernandez – put the game out of doubt before the interval.

Chelsea, with a difference in objectives greater than Esperance, knew that a draw would be sufficient to secure the place of finalists in the group behind Flamengo.

This put the burden on hopes but, despite a certain attacking dynamism, they did not have the quality in advance.

Delap created the first chance of the night when he jumped two challenges, but his shot was comfortably saved by Bechir Ben.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has entered a head from a cross of Malo Gusto, but he seemed to go widely before Yassine Meriah clearly headed. Josh Acheambong forced Ben said to save from a distance, but the flag was raised before Delap could rebound.

Another good movement led to Fernandez who explodes widely, but Chelsea finally took control with their double fire of fire in the first half.

Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a well placed head through the goal after reaching a free kick from Fernandez.

Fernandez was again the supplier while the Londoners doubled their advance a few moments later. This time, he slipped forward for Delap and the attacker turned brilliantly to beat a defender and pass another before passing the ball in front of a Ben sculptor.

Nukunku called on a penalty after going down early in the second half, but nothing was given before Noni Madueke sends a closely wide shot.

Chelsea received a kick when an effort from Andrey Santos remotely hit Meriah’s arm. It seemed a severe decision, but there was a long delay, Christopher Nkunku was held above the ball while waiting to take it, before the referee was called on the instructor and changed the decision.

Chelsea finally obtained the third goal that their superiority deserved when the replacement of replacement George was torillable through the reach of Ben Said.

Delap: I hope it is the first many

“Obviously, it is a really happy feeling and I hope it is the first of many,” said Delap on the club’s website, Chelsafc.com.

“I spoke to Enzo (Fernandez) and he told me when he gets the ball to run. It was a superb pass and fortunately, she entered.

“I love playing football and playing for such a good team is a great feeling.

“We had to win to pass and we are all happy that we are in the next step.”

MARESCA: Important to bounce back and win

“It was important to bounce back and win,” said Maresca. “Now we can start thinking about the next one.

“It was very important to be patient, then when we found the goal, it became a little more open.

“We are happy for all players, especially for those who have spent a long time without minutes.

“From 32 teams now, we are in the last 16. I hope we can go to the last eight.”

Who then plays Chelsea?

The Blues will now face Benfica – the surprise winners of group C, in front of Bayern Munich – in the next round in Charlotte on Saturday.