Working hard to get over the line

A Richard Rios own goal midway through the first half separated the sides in an encounter that was low on goalmouth action. The Blues were defensively diligent throughout, restricting Benfica to an Expected Goals (xG) tally of just 0.85.

The visitors had nine shots during the game and three of those (with a combined xG of 0.31) came before the only goal. Five of the remaining six efforts were in the 83rd minute or later, testament to our ability to keep Benfica at arm’s length while we led.

Enzo Maresca acknowledged his players had to suffer late on to get over the line as Benfica’s threat intensified, but underlined the significance of ‘winning ugly’. Victories such as these are necessary during long campaigns.

The head coach also highlighted the effort his side displayed on an evening when many selected were not 100 per cent fit, or had not featured often this season. We won 18 tackles to Benfica’s 13, and were successful in 52.3 per cent of the 111 duels contested during a combative encounter.

Despite the busy schedule, Maresca noted the likes of Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez covered plenty of ground and showed ‘extra motivation’ to help push us to an important victory that was needed after recent results. It was no surprise Chelsea fans voted Caicedo as their Player of the Match after yet another standout showing.

• Why Moises was your POTM vs Benfica

Badiashile assertive and confident on his return

On his first start of the season, Benoit Badiashile impressed. The Frenchman was deployed in the left centre-back position from where he completed significantly more passes than anyone else on the pitch (95 - next was Trevoh Chalobah with 79).

Badiashile only misplaced four passes all evening, equating to an impressive 96 per cent completion rate, and his ability to build from the back and play through the lines is clearly an asset to Maresca. The head coach described Badiashile's performance afterwards as ‘very, very good’, while in the stands the Matthew Harding sang his name in appreciation of his efforts.

Badiashile also showcased more traditional defensive attributes, making a game-high ten ball recoveries alongside three clearances and two interceptions. With Chalobah suspended for Saturday’s visit of Liverpool and other central defenders having suffered from injury recently, Badiashile’s return to action is a welcome boost for the Blues.

Wingers make their mark

The only goal may have been put through his own net by Rios, but it stemmed from brilliant work from our two wingers, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.

It was Neto’s teasing far-post cross that found Garnacho, who cleverly steered the ball back into the danger area where Rios could only slam it past his own keeper.

Maresca has long stated the importance of his wingers attacking the back post and will have been delighted to see Garnacho doing just that - it points to the new signing’s smooth adaptation to life at Chelsea and Cobham.

Neto meanwhile continues to deliver consistent levels of performance in and out of possession. That cross to Garnacho was one of six he attempted – a game-high figure – while he also led the way for shots and dribbles.

Neto’s two tackles won and five ball recoveries was the most of any attacker, and provides material evidence of his determination to aid the collective effort that is so obvious when you watch him sprinting up and down either flank. He is equally comfortable on both, and that versatility, industry and technical quality has ensured the Portuguese has become an integral member of Maresca’s Blues.

Another thing Maresca asks of his wingers is to try to get one-v-one with their full-back and take on their man. Neto, Garnacho and substitute Jamie Gittens all looked to do that against Benfica. Whilst the signing from Borussia Dortmund's final action in the opposition box often didn't come to fruition during his half an hour on the pitch, the 21-year-old kept looking to get on the ball and run at his defender, something which pleased Maresca.

When asked if he had been impressed with Garnacho's performance during his post-match press conference, Maresca replied: 'Yes, tonight we start with Garna, that probably was the first [Champions League or Premier League] game that he started. Ty [George] was the No.9, and we know that he's not a No.9. Facu [Buonanotte] played an important role tonight. That's why for me tonight it's a nice feeling that it was important to win for different reasons. Injuries and the players that they are new with us.

'Garna was very good. I think [Jamie] Gittens also, he tried in the last 20 minutes when he was on. Both are going to be better and better game after game.'