Chelsea put Armenian minnows FC Noah to the sword in an 8-0 hammering at Stamford Bridge in the Conference League. The Blues were four goals up with barely 20 minutes on the clock, six to the good by half-time, and a brace from Christopher Nkunku after the break capped the easiest of nights for Enzo Maresca’s side.
By that point Noah had long since been beaten. The visitors conceded twice in the space of 84 seconds in the first-half, as Tosin Adarabioyo headed home from a corner and Marc Guiu then pounced on a terrible pass almost straight from kick-off. Axel Disasi ensured Noah were again punished from a set-piece, before Joao Felix dinked a lovely finish into the back of the net and Mykhailo Mudryk curled home the pick of the bench, into the top corner from the edge of the area. There was still time for Felix to add a second before the break.
Noah kept Chelsea at bay for 24 minutes after the restart, but Nkunku finally got his goal, volleying into the empty net having had his initial effort saved. The Frenchman was then called upon shortly after to hammer a penalty down middle, after a generous VAR decision. The crowd called for double figures but Chelsea could not find a ninth or tenth, cruising to the final whistle as the attention now turns to Sunday’s big Premier League showdown against Arsenal in west London.
Chelsea vs FC Noah latest news
- GOAL! Nkunku gets on scoresheet for 7-0
- GOAL! Mudryk adds fifth before half-time
- GOAL! Felix extends Blues rout
- GOAL! Guiu doubles lead within 84 seconds
- GOAL! Tosin opens scoring for Blues
It's looking good for the Blues!
22:47 , Matt VerriGoal difference fairly healthy too...
The league phase standings after MD3 💫#UECL pic.twitter.com/jzO8epMyPt
— UEFA Conference League (@europacnfleague) November 7, 2024
Chelsea ratings
22:17 , Matt VerriChristopher Nkunku 8
After notching an assist in the first half, had a greater impact in the second 45. Scored the seventh goal and the eighth from the spot but also missed a couple of sitters.
Joao Felix 9
Superb display, albeit against limited opposition. Scored twice. Surely starts in the No10 position against Arsenal on Sunday if Cole Palmer is not passed fit.
Mykhailo Mudryk 7
Scored a blinding goal. Despite being out of the game for long periods, he showed his class with that strike and a few nice turns.
Click here to read those in full!
Chelsea on another level
22:08 , Matt VerriDon’t want to say Chelsea are too good for the Conference League...
But they have scored 16 goals in three matches in the league phase. The next best in the competition is eight.
Mudryk finding form!
22:03 , Matt VerriEnjoying life in the Conference League...
5️⃣ goal contributions in three games.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2024
Mykhailo Mudryk is lighting up the UEFA Conference League this season 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/lC35MZZ6bu
FT: Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:57 , Matt VerriThat’s full-time.
Chelsea a bit quieter after the break, almost inevitably.
But it’s a big, big win. Can anyone stop them in the Conference League this season?
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:55 , Matt Verri90+3 mins: Brave goalkeeping from Jorgensen, flies off his line to claim the ball that had been played through.
Looks in a fair bit of pain, got caught by Cinari... who is booked. Tried to poke it past Jorgensen, not sure how that is possibly a yellow card.
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:53 , Matt Verri90+1 mins: Four minutes added on... and it should be 9-0!
Chukwuemeka bundles his way through, just the goalkeeper to beat but it’s a good save.
Rebound falls for Rak-Sakyi, who rushes the finish and it’s blasted over.
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:51 , Matt Verri89 mins: Mudryk away down the left, they are not going to catch him.
Ball slid through to Dewsbury-Hall, who couldn’t find the space for the shot. Then loses his balance trying the low cross.
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:48 , Matt Verri86 mins: Noah are having a decent little spell here. Maybe they’ve been lulling Chelsea into a false sense of security all this time.
Either that or the Blues are 8-0 up and thinking about what they’re going to eat later.
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:45 , Matt Verri83 mins: Noah might be the worst team in the world at defending corners. Tottenham have competition.
Badiashile free again, but heads straight at the goalkeeper. Chelsea should really have scored from every corner.
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:43 , Matt Verri82 mins: Another Felix hat-trick attempt... wide. And a nervous look over to the bench.
Fair to say he’s not too keen to come off.
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:41 , Matt Verri79 mins: A Chelsea debut for Rak-Sakyi.
He’s replaced Nkunku for the closing stages of this match.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:39 , Matt VerriAll eyes will be on whether they can make it double figures now after Nkunku makes it 8-0 from the spot.
Plenty of time left.
Chelsea 8-0 Noah
21:39 , Matt Verri77 mins: Chelsea have the best part of 15 minutes to score twice if they are to hit double figures. Wouldn’t back against it.
“We want ten” is the shout from the fans. Not going to let Chelsea slow down.
GOAL! Chelsea 8-0 Noah | Christopher Nkunku 75'
21:37 , Matt VerriIt’s eight!
Second of the night for Nkunku, he lashes the spot-kick down the middle.
PENALTY CHELSEA!
21:36 , Matt VerriJust what Noah need.
Referee points to the spot. Double figures could be on again.
Chelsea 7-0 Noah
21:35 , Matt Verri73 mins: VAR taking a long look at this penalty appeal.
Think they both made contact with each other... but the referee is going to the monitor.
Feels cruel.
Chelsea 7-0 Noah
21:34 , Matt Verri72 mins: Chelsea want a penalty, as Dewsbury-Hall goes down.
Play waved on, ball rolls into the path of Chukwuemeka... who slams an effort off the outside of the post.
Chukwuemeka came on just before Nkunku’s goal, replacing George.
Chelsea 7-0 Noah
21:33 , Matt Verri71 mins: Chelsea back to looking dangerous with every attack.
Dewsbury-Hall tries to flick it through to Felix in the box, but he’s crowded out.
GOAL! Chelsea 7-0 Noah | Christopher Nkunku 69''
21:31 , Matt VerriNkunku through again... this time? No.... YES!
Dinked finish is saved, but the rebound bounces up for him to volley into the empty net.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:28 , Matt Verri66 mins: Noah corner in front of the away fans. Can they give them something to cheer?
No, not unless they like short corners coming to nothing.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:25 , Matt Verri63 mins: Felix is desperate to get his hat-trick, trying his luck at every opportunity.
Nkunku just as keen, as he looks to get on the scoresheet. No danger of those two easing off.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:21 , Matt Verri59 mins: Sangare with the flailing arm as he tries to hold Felix off. Brushes the Chelsea man, who goes down holding his face.
Yellow card. That’s outrageously harsh.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:19 , Matt Verri57 mins: Noah do look to be trying to sit back more this half. Decided leaving the back four by themselves probably wasn’t their best bet.
Nkunku in again... blasts the effort off the top of the bar and over! Had to score.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:17Almost a hat-trick for Felix there as he produced a quick snap-shot, but goalkeeper Chancharevich saves well.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:15 , Matt Verri54 mins: Flowing Chelsea move. Nkunku swivels, shot is saved... ball just bounces out to Felix and Cancarevic does well to gather the rebound.
The seventh is coming...
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:14 , Matt Verri52 mins: Dewsbury-Hall picks up a loose pass, can’t squeeze the ball through.
Not to worry, goalkeeper plays it straight to Felix in the box. His poked effort is palmed away.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:10 , Matt Verri48 mins: Chelsea corner. Scored from both of them in the first-half.
For some reason take this one short, before eventually swinging it in. Badiashile completely free, volleys over.
Noah didn’t talk much about set-pieces at half-time, apparently...
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
21:09 , Matt Verri47 mins: Early signs suggest this won’t be finishing 6-0.
Mudryk with the backheel through to Veiga, shot charged down from a tight angle.
Back underway!
21:07 , Matt VerriHere we go again.
Guiu and Fernandez off at the break, with Dewsbury-Hall and Casadei introduced.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
21:00 , Matt VerriIt’s incredible to think that Uefa believe they have ALREADY addressed the fact European football was becoming uncompetitive and games becoming too one-sided.
Yet here I am at a game which Chelsea are winning 6-0 at half-time…
Pick of the bunch!
20:53 , Matt VerriMudryk’s goal the best of the six for Chelsea, lovely finish from the edge of the area.
What a finish from Mykhailo Mudryk to make it 5-0 to Chelsea 💫
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/f80VsSai7R
HT: Chelsea 6-0 Noah
20:51 , Matt VerriNoah can breathe for 15 minutes.
They have offered a bit in attack, and been hopeless in defence.
Chelsea ruthless and, if they want it, could bring up double figures comfortably.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
20:49 , Matt Verri45+1 mins: Goalkeeper Cancarevic has gone down and called for some treatment.
I wouldn’t be in a rush to get back up, if I was him. There’s no good news coming his way in the second-half either.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
20:48 , Matt Verri45 mins: Noah are just not defending. There’s six of them trying to flood forward, and the other four in tears at the back.
Chelsea should probably score again, but George overhits the pass through to Nkunku and the goalkeeper can smother it.
Chelsea 6-0 Noah
20:46 , Matt Verri43 mins: Ferreira in on goal for Noah, Jorgensen sticks out a hand to deny him. Offside flag goes up anyway.
And now Mudryk can have another run... only to play it straight to a Noah player. Taking pity on them.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:45 , Matt VerriThat was an outrageous goal by Mudryk. No wonder he nodded in approval at his own strike. And Felix soon has his second of the evening with a deflected strike.
Double figures in the offing? 6-0 after 41 minutes.
GOAL! Chelsea 6-0 Noah | Joao Felix 41'
20:44 , Matt VerriHere we go again!
Noah don’t actually look too bad when they attack. Problem is they look very, very bad in defence.
Disasi charges near enough the length of the pitch, plays it through to Felix. Defender can’t keep his strike out on the line.
GOAL! Chelsea 5-0 Noah | Mykhailo Mudryk 39'
20:42 , Matt VerriBest goal of the night!
Chelsea break and there’s a lot of space for them. Ball rolled into Mudryk’s pass, has Felix to his right but cuts back onto his right foot instead.
Whipped into the top corner from 20 yards out.
Chelsea 4-0 Noah
20:41 , Matt Verri38 mins: Manvelyan gets very excited.
He has space 30 yards out, options to slide a pass through, but decides to back himself and goes for goal from distance.
Won’t be doing that again.
Chelsea 4-0 Noah
20:37 , Matt Verri34 mins: But here come Chelsea again. Guiu with a clever flicked effort, rolls through to Mudryk... who can only blast it near enough out for a throw-in from a tight angle.
Felix floating around the pitch, playing wherever he wants. Nkunku, though, has been very quiet.
Chelsea 4-0 Noah
20:34 , Matt Verri31 mins: Felix slides a pass through to Guiu, but he’s forced wide and loses it.
Noah have done a decent job of calming things down since that four-goal burst. Have got back to enjoying some possession in the Chelsea half.
Chelsea 4-0 Noah
20:30 , Matt Verri28 mins: Nearly 5-0!
Mudryk skips to the byline, stands a cross up. Guiu completely free, his header bobbles around a bit before the goalkeeper falls on it right on the line.
George wasn’t far away from turning that in.
Chelsea 4-0 Noah
20:28 , Matt Verri26 mins: Noah look like they are going to lose it in midfield or at the back near enough every time they have the ball.
So many blue shirts waiting to pounce. Fernandez already has a hat-trick of assists.
Chelsea 4-0 Noah
20:26 , Matt Verri23 mins: George can cut inside off the right wing, gets the shot away. Sliced wide of the far post.
This might actually be 20-0.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:25 , Matt VerriBlues fans enjoying this… “Are you Tottenham in disguise”, is the latest mischievous chant.
And just as I write that, Felix makes it four. Cricket scoreline is one the way here.
GOAL! Chelsea 4-0 Noah | Joao Felix 21'
20:24 , Matt VerriOr that’s going to keep happening.
Noah lose it again, this time Felix can stroll through on goal.
Glorious dinked finish and this is a rout with not even a quarter of the match played.
Chelsea 3-0 Noah
20:23 , Matt Verri21 mins: Noah are trying to play their way out in defence. I’d humbly suggest they might want to stop that. Immediately.
Chelsea happy to let the defenders have it, knowing a mistake isn’t far away.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:21 , Matt VerriThe defending from that corner was hopeless, much worse than from the one a few minutes ago in which Tosin scored. This time Disasi is the scorer.
Chelsea, as they were always bound to, are running away with this.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Noah | Axel Diasi 18'
20:20 , Matt VerriNoah cannot defend corners.
Fernandez swings it in, Disasi free this time and he can nod it in for Chelsea’s third already.
Chelsea 2-0 Noah
20:18 , Matt Verri16 mins: Just the 84 seconds between those goals. Including the celebrations for the first.
You now feel this could turn into a very ugly night for the minnows...
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:17Really smart header from Tosin Adarabioyo, who looks delighted. He has to watch the out-swigning corner all the way and stoops to head into the corner.
That will settle the nerves of any Chelsea fans slightly alarmed by their side's sloppy start here.
As will that! 2-0, what a horror pass across the Noah defence. Guiu the beneficiary. He looks overjoyed as well.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Noah | Marc Guiu 13'
20:16 , Matt VerriIt’s two!
Not even ten seconds after kick-off.
Noah lose it at the back, Guiu pounces and is clean through. Slots home.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Noah | Tosin Adarabioyo 12'
20:14 , Matt VerriFirst corner of the night for Chelsea.
And they take the lead! Tosin left free in the middle, he flicks a header into the far corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Noah
20:12 , Matt Verri9 mins: Noah look well capable of scoring tonight. Dangerous each time they come forward, Chelsea really vulnerable at the back.
Saying that, Noah then lose it themselves on the edge of their own box. Nkunku’s shot charged down.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
20:09 , Matt VerriPretty audacious from the Chelsea fans to be asking "WHO ARE YA?" when it was all FC Noah in the first four minutes!
Time for the Blues to switch on.
Chelsea 0-0 Noah
20:09 , Matt Verri6 mins: What a miss!
First Chelsea attack, somehow it’s not the first Chelsea goal.
George played in behind after a one-two with Nkunku, he fires it across the face of goal. Felix, open goal and three yards out... can’t turn it on target.
Chelsea 0-0 Noah
20:06 , Matt Verri4 mins: Tosin shanks the ball behind, corner for the visitors. They’ve started incredibly confidently.
Clipped into the near post, Nkunku there to head it out. Chelsea haven’t got going at all.
Chelsea 0-0 Noah
20:05 , Matt Verri2 mins: Two minutes in and Chelsea have barely had a kick. Sure you were all expecting that.
And now they are in on goal, Gregorio has space after the Blues fail to clear. Onto his right foot, shot fired straight at Jorgensen.
KICK-OFF!
20:03 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running!
A moment of silence ahead of kick-off, in memory of the flood victims in Spain.
Here we go!
19:57 , Matt VerriTeams are out onto the pitch in west London.
Enzo Fernandez the Chelsea captain tonight. And the only midfielder.
Not long now!
19:51 , Matt VerriThis is your ten-minute warning.
Kick-off fast approaching at Stamford Bridge. Anything other than a goal every three minutes and I’m going to be disappointed.
Mota: Noah won't park the bus
19:43 , Matt VerriFC Noah boss Rui Mota has insisted his side will not just sit back at Stamford Bridge tonight.
“Park the bus? No one ever parked the bus, not with me,” he said.
“We play our game as we have to play. We know we are playing a fantastic team, we know they are favourites. They have the whole responsibility.
“We are very humble to know this. But to park the bus? Not with me.”
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
19:36 , Matt VerriSays everything you need to know about the nature of the opposition for Chelsea tonight that Enzo Maresca is trusting Enzo Fernandez to do pretty much all the defensive work in midfield himself.
UEFA are expecting Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku to partner each other as duel No10s, with Marc Guiu the sole striker.
It's a very attacking Chelsea team, and anything other than the Blues totally dominating proceedings tonight will disappoint Maresca.
They should win handsomely.
Chelsea's Conference League schedule
19:31 , Matt VerriNext up in Europe for Chelsea is a trip to Germany to face Heidenheim, before a December journey to Kazakhstan as they go up against Astana.
The Blues then host Shamrock Rovers before Christmas to bring an end to the league phase.
Imagine their qualification for the knockout stages will be wrapped up by then.
Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
19:21 , Matt VerriGoals to fly in?
"Chelsea expecting a glut of goals... can this young front five produce the goods?"
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 7, 2024
🗣 @MrDomSmith gives his pre-match thoughts as the Blues take on Armenian minnows Noah.
LIVE: https://t.co/MNHUher94c #CHEFCN | #UECL pic.twitter.com/3DPP640iiE
Can Felix force his way into Premier League side?
19:13 , Matt VerriAnother midweek cup game, another opportunity for Enzo Maresca’s second-string Chelsea XI to show they deserve more than merely a place on the bench in the Premier League.
The visit of FC Noah, from the remote town of Armavir in western Armenia, is the latest opportunity for Joao Felix to press his case.
Felix has unquestionably been the pick of the bunch from Chelsea’s de facto ‘B’ team this season, but his problem is that he plays in the same position as Cole Palmer.
He is at his most comfortable playing as the No10, where Palmer is the leading midfield scorer in Europe’s major leagues in 2024 and undroppable.
But Maresca offered up the idea last week that Palmer and Felix could play together.
“It depends on the game”, he explained. “Probably soon we are going to see Joao and Cole together in the pocket with a striker.”
Might that be the solution for Felix, then? Does his route to a first Premier League since he rejoined the club rest on being deployed alongside Palmer?
FC Noah team news
19:01 , Matt VerriFC Noah XI: Chancharevich, Muradian, Ferreira, Gregorio, Cinari, Sangare, Hambartsumyan, Miljkovic, Manvelyan, Silva, Eteki
Subs: Ploshchadnyi, Thorarinsson, Aias, Dashyan, Mendoza, Avanesian, Santos, Petrsoyan, Omar, Pinson
Blues go all out
18:57No surprise that it’s an attacking side named by Enzo Maresca.
There’s starts for 18-year-old duo Tyrique George and Marc Guiu, while Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku are all in the side too.
Enzo Fernandez might get a bit lonely in midfield.
Chelsea team news
18:48 , Matt VerriChelsea XI: Jorgensen, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga, Fernandez, Felix, Mudryk, Nkunku, George, Guiu
Subs: Sanchez, Merrick, Cucurella, Madueke, Chukwuemeka, Dewsbury-Hall, Gusto, Casadei, Rak-Sakyi
Last time at Stamford Bridge...
18:37 , Matt VerriThere were six goals in Chelsea’s first match of the league phase, as they beat Gent 4-2.
More of the same tonight would be ideal, though I wouldn’t bank on Noah scoring twice...
Palmer and Rice called up
18:27 , Matt VerriDeclan Rice and Cole Palmer have both been included in the England squad for this month’s Nations League games against Greece and Ireland, despite injury concerns.
Rice missed Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday due to a foot problem.
Palmer has not trained this week after he was left with stud marks on his left knee following a wild late lunge from Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United last weekend.
Rice and Palmer are doubts for the Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
But both players have been called up by Lee Carsley in his final England squad as interim head coach before Thomas Tuchel starts in the job in January.
England play Greece in Athens next Thursday and then host Ireland at Wembley three days later.
Stage is set!
18:13 , Matt VerriShould be a bit busier inside Stamford Bridge in a couple of hours...
Two hours till KO. ⏰#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/pz0EcSXpxJ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 7, 2024
Chelsea concern over Palmer
18:02 , Matt VerriChelsea are sweating on the fitness of Cole Palmer ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
Palmer was left with stud marks on his left knee after a wild late lunge from Lisandro Martinez in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
And Maresca has revealed that Palmer has not trained this week and was absent again from training on Wednesday.
"Cole is still [out], he didn’t train yesterday,” said Maresca ahead of tonight’s match.
"We hope so, but we need to wait. We need to see, and then decide."
Asked if playing Palmer against Arsenal would be a risk, Maresca said: “For sure. We said he didn’t train the last two days.
“We’ll see. Hopefully he can be fit. The tackle, it’s quite clear it wasn’t a normal one. Hopefully he can be back.”
Maresca felt Martinez should have been sent off for the challenge on Palmer, who limped out of Old Trafford.
Standard Sport prediction
17:53 , Matt VerriWith all due respect, the Blues could surely field two teams who could feasibly beat the Armenian side.
This should be a comfortable night on home soil, allowing Chelsea to swiftly turn their attention to Arsenal’s visit this weekend.
Chelsea to win, 4-0.
Chelsea team news
17:44 , Matt VerriEnzo Maresca will again ring the changes in the Conference League tonight.
The Blues boss has tended to select an entirely different XI for the third-tier European games compared to those for the Premier League, and the visit of the Armenians will be no different.
Maresca will not be able to call on unregistered quartet Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell or the injured Cole Palmer, while Jadon Sancho will miss the match through injury.
The loanee has been unavailable with an illness but, Maresca revealed on Wednesday, has now suffered a knock.
“He’s recovering from that,” the Blues head coach said about Sancho’s illness. “He had a knock in the [training] session, also. For tomorrow, for sure, he’s out. We’ll see if he’s available for Sunday's game. Otherwise, it will be after the international break.
Benoit Badiashile will start at centre-back for Chelsea, and Maresca has revealed he plans to include academy duo Tyrique George and Samuel Rak-Sakyi in his squad for the game.
Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Veiga, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Enzo, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku
How to watch Chelsea vs FC Noah
17:38 , Matt VerriTV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1. Coverage starts at 7.45pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge.
Good evening!
17:31 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs FC Noah!
The Blues are looking to extend their perfect start to the Conference League campaign, while FC Noah will be dreaming of a famous, famous win.
Even a draw here would be by far the biggest result in their seven-year history. Yes, seven years.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm GMT from Stamford Bridge!
