Chelsea put their Champions League campaign back on course by thrashing Malmo at Stamford Bridge – but it was victory at a price as strike duo Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner suffered injuries.
The holders lost their last game against Juventus in Turin but there was no mistake here as the Swedes were completely outclassed.
Andreas Christensen put Chelsea ahead early on with his first goal in 137 appearances for the club from Thiago Silva’s pass and Jorginho doubled the lead from the spot after Lukaku was fouled by Lasse Nielsen, the forward limping off with what looked like an ankle injury.
Werner pulled up with hamstring trouble before half-time, but Chelsea’s progress continued smoothly as his replacement Callum Hudson-Odoi set up another substitute Kai Havertz for a neat finish for their third just after the break.
Malmo were over-powered and Jorginho scored from the spot again after 57 minutes following Eric Larsson’s foul on Antonio Rudiger, with replacement keeper Ismael Diawara having no more success than Johan Dahlin did in the opening half.
Chelsea’s expensive cruise
This was the most comfortable of nights for Chelsea as they put the misery of their loss to Juventus behind them in emphatic fashion.
They were in a different class to their Swedish opponents and effectively settled matters in the 48th minute when Havertz chipped home a composed third goal.
The win, however, was overshadowed by those injuries to Lukaku and Werner.
Lukaku was hurt as he was brought down by Nielsen for Jorginho’s first penalty, seemingly taking the full weight of the Malmo player on his ankle.
The club’s record signing required lengthy treatment and despite walking to the halfway line in an attempt to carry on, he was clearly struggling and substituted.
Werner clutched his hamstring racing into the area and, again, was taken straight off.
Chelsea’s next game is at home to the Premier League’s bottom club Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but the main worry for manager Thomas Tuchel is that both Lukaku and Werner may face lengthy lay-offs.
Juventus remain ahead of Chelsea in the group, but the Italians still have to visit Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel will be highly satisfied with how Chelsea handled this straightforward task in a professional and ruthless manner.
They remained in control throughout with their outstanding passing and efficient movement of the ball.
He must now hope Chelsea’s win does not come at too much of a cost as he awaits the medical bulletins on Lukaku and Werner.
