Chelsea took full advantage of an early red card for Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor to thrash the Dutch side 5–1 in their Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Enzo Maresca’s decision to make 10 changes to his lineup paid off as Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo scored early before Enzo Fernandez and Estevao converted from the penalty spot in the first half. Tyrique George added a fifth goal in the second half to seal the victory.
The result gave Chelsea back-to-back wins in the Champions League following an opening defeat to Bayern Munich. The Blues now sit 11th in the group table, while Ajax remain bottom without a single point.
Ajax, who came into the match without a goal or point in the competition, suffered a major setback in the 15th minute when VAR upgraded Taylor’s yellow card for a high challenge on Facundo Buonanotte to a red.
From the resulting free-kick, Guiu turned in Wesley Fofana’s header to give Chelsea the lead. Caicedo then doubled the advantage with a deflected strike off Josip Sutalo, marking his fourth goal of the season.
Ajax briefly reduced the deficit after Wout Weghorst converted from the penalty spot when Tosin Adarabioyo fouled Raul Moro. However, Chelsea quickly restored control, with two more penalties before halftime.
Weghorst tripped Fernandez inside the box, allowing the Argentine to score from the spot. Minutes later, Estevao, who had won the penalty himself, confidently fired home Chelsea’s fourth goal.
Maresca made several substitutions at the break, resting Fernandez and Caicedo, but the dominance continued. Substitute Tyrique George scored just three minutes into the second half with a precise low finish following a clever backheel assist from Andrey Santos.
The emphatic win continued Chelsea’s strong run of form in Europe, with their youthful squad showing depth and confidence under Maresca’s management.
