Chelsea have taken the lead in Athens against Panathinaikos in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
It hasn’t been a great start to the game overall – this makeshift team and makeshift midfield has been predictably flimsy. The home team have caused us a load of problems, and this goal will hopefully be important in breaking their confidence a little and dampening a crowd which could otherwise get pretty spicy.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played a great cross field pass to start the move from deep, picking out Joao Felix who flicked it on to Mykhailo Mudryk, who got on his bike and tore down the left. The Ukraine winger got his head up saw Felix waiting for the return pass, and was able to pick him out. It was a tap in for the Portugal star, who had been our best player even before this passage of play.
It actually couldn’t have been a more simple goal, showing just how effective some pace and direct play can be, especially against lesser opposition.
Plenty of people have questioned why Felix hasn’t played more – he didn’t get off the bench against Liverpool on Sunday. This goal should help his cause. There have also been questions about Mykhailo Mudryk overall and his development. He’s been one of the better Chelsea players in the first half, and is also taking advantage of these Conference League chances.
We wonder who else can help their cause in the second half to come? There are places to be played for in the game this weekend, and opportunities are opening up now that the first team / B team dynamic has been broken up.
You can see the Felix goal in the clips embedded here:
Joao Felix with his first European goal of the season after combining with Mykhailo Mudryk.🔵 pic.twitter.com/nwr7towLXo
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) October 24, 2024
[Footage from TNT Sport]
MUDRYK TO FELIX, BOOM! 0-1 ️🔥 pic.twitter.com/8SV0a9uaqa
— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) October 24, 2024
[Footage from Canal Plus]
JOAO FELIX GOAL !!!!!
WE ARE SO BACKK !!!!
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) October 24, 2024
[Footage from ViaPlay Sport]
João Félix marcou o seu primeiro golo na Conference League. pic.twitter.com/n8M4axKF5w
— B24 (@B24PT) October 24, 2024
[Footage from DAZN]
¡Joao Félix puso el 1-0 del Chelsea sobre el Panathinaikos! 🔵🇵🇹
— ESPN Perú (@ESPNPeru) October 24, 2024
[Footage from ESPN]
