Chelsea FC secured a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad in a match that saw Enzo Fernandez make his return to the pitch amidst mixed reactions from the fans. The match started with Chelsea FC taking the lead through Morgan Rogers, who scored less than 10 minutes into his debut. However, Real Sociedad levelled the score just before half-time through Jon Aramburu's volley.
What happened in the match?
The first half saw both teams create chances, with Chelsea FC's Maxence Lacroix and Real Sociedad's Take Kubo having shots on goal. However, it was Chelsea FC's Morgan Rogers who opened the scoring with a goal in the first half. Real Sociedad's Jon Aramburu equalised just before half-time, slamming in a volley from the edge of the area.
Why it matters for Chelsea FC
The win is a significant boost for Chelsea FC, who are currently 10th in the Premier League with 52 points from 38 games. The team has scored 58 goals this season and conceded 52, giving them a +6 goal difference. The win also puts them 33 points behind leaders Arsenal in the title race.
What comes next for Chelsea FC?
The win will give Chelsea FC a much-needed confidence boost as they look to climb the table. The team will be looking to build on this momentum and push for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Enzo Fernandez's return to the pitch will also be closely watched, as he looks to make a positive impact on the team.
Chelsea's attacking approach
Chelsea FC's attacking approach was a key factor in their win. The team's pace and directness allowed them to create chances and score goals. João Pedro played an interesting role, starting as a typical number nine but often dropping deep to receive the ball while the likes of Rogers, Neto, and Marco Palestra ran ahead of him.
A half played in transition
The first half was played in transition, with both teams creating chances. Chelsea FC's Maxence Lacroix was often first to the ball, even when in a crowd, and looked very comfortable at the centre of the Blues back three. The match stopped at the midway point of the half to give the players a chance to hydrate themselves, but the break was met by boos around Stamford Bridge following the discussion which surrounded such breaks at the World Cup.
Team news
Xabi Alonso selected three of this summer's additions to start in SW6, including Maxence Lacroix and record signing Morgan Rogers. Reece James also made his return to captain the team, having returned from the World Cup later than most of his teammates. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad have made very few changes to their squad since the end of the 2025/26 season, with seven of the players who began their final game against Espanyol starting today.
