Two stunning goals from Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz away at RB Salzburg fired Chelsea into the Champions League last 16, ending a 40-game home unbeaten run by the Austrians.
Junior Adamu’s goal early in the second half was a scare for the Blues after their lack of full-backs or real wing-backs were exploited.
Graham Potter will be happy at how his side have navigated their four most difficult Champions League games since he took charge.
They await the outcome of Dinamo Zagreb versus AC Milan to see if they have topped Group E with a game to spare.
Nizaar Kinsella was in Salzburg to witness the action for Standard Sport.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7
Making his ninth start in a row, Kepa had only conceded two goals since cementing himself as Potter’s no1.
There wasn’t much he could have done about Adamu’s finish. He comfortably saved the rest of his shots, getting most tested by wonderkid Benjamin Sesko in the second half.
Trevoh Chalobah - 6
Chalobah won a dangerous 50/50 duel from a corner against Bernardo in the ninth minute. Produced another good defensive clearance from a corner midway through the second half.
Thiago Silva - 5
He gave the ball away in the 39th minute which led to a Maurits Kjaergaard chance. He was too slow to get back in for Adamu’s goal, showing his weakness.
A rare below-par showing for the 38-year-old. He did brilliantly to clear off his own goal line after Kepa was flattened by the giant Strahinja Pavlovic.
Marc Cucurella - 6
Having been substituted in two of his last three starts under Potter, the Spain international had a quiet game in defence.
Christian Pulisic - 7
Earned his third start of the season after a good cameo from the bench against Brentford. His hustle led to Kovacic’s goal, intercepting a ball in the opposition’s box which ultimately fell to Kovacic.
He came off in the 75th minute but gave a solid showing after feeding Havertz his chance to get an assist.
Mateo Kovacic - 8
Playing just one hour away from where he was born, the 28-year-old reminded Austria what he was all about. His opportunistic left-foot strike from 20 yards stunned Salzburg after they had dominated much of the prior 23 minutes.
Jorginho - 7
Wearing the captain’s armband, the no5 played in a deep role just in front of his defence. Jorginho mopped up a Chalobah mistake in the 13th minute.
Almost scored a header from a corner but it was remarkably cleared off the line by goalscorer Adamu early in the second half.
Conor Gallagher - 8
Won possession in a dangerous area but slightly overhit his pass to Aubameyang who was through on goal with his first action.
The 22-year-old was making his first-ever Champions League start and crossed to create another big chance for Havertz late in the first half and again for Aubameyang
It was a sensational all-around display from the homegrown star.
Raheem Sterling - 5
“He will be playing wide. We need to have as dangerous a width as we can against a team that defends quite narrow,” Potter said ahead of kick-off.
Arguably the most ineffective of all the forwards on the pitch until creating two chances for Aubameyang at the end of the first half. Still, he couldn’t give enough of those moments throughout his 89 minutes on the pitch.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 4
The no9 saw his header brilliantly saved by Philipp Kohn shortly after Kovacic’s goal but would go on to miss a simple one-on-one chance in the 32nd minute.
Faded as the game went on and was taken off in the 75th minute. Simply not his day.
Kai Havertz - 8
It felt like it would be another wasteful afternoon for Havertz, who was under pressure after misfiring against Brentford.
His poor touch wasted Chelsea’s first chance and he should have done better with a header further into the first half. However, his work rate and quality in the build-up were never in question.
He was ultimately rewarded for his efforts with a goal - producing a perfect touch on the half-turn and shooting in almost the same motion to regain Chelsea’s lead. It was arguably his best goal in a Chelsea shirt to date.
Subs
Cesar Azpilicueta - 6
The Blues captain came on to make a back four and helped his side hold onto the lead.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 6
He helped his side gain a measure of control in what had been a chaotic second half.
Armando Broja - 6
He held up the ball well but didn't get any big chances.
Hakim Ziyech - N/A
Mason Mount - N/A
Unused: Edouard Mendy, Marcus Bettinelli, Ben Chilwell, Denis Zakaria, Carney Chukwuemeka.
