The Blues wideman led our tributes to his Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota and the Liverpool forward's brother Andre Silva after the pair died earlier this week following a car accident.

Neto had the brothers' names on a Chelsea shirt which he carried out on to the pitch and held during the minute of remembrance at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The 25-year-old was good friends with Diogo Jota from their time together at both Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portugal national team, and Blues head coach Maresca had given Neto the option of whether to play against Palmeiras or not following this week's devastating news.

Neto opted to start the game and produced a typically hard-working and creative display before being substituted late on.

Maresca said: ‘We spoke with Pedro yesterday, this morning and this afternoon and it was completely his personal decision whether to play or not to play.

‘He made a fantastic effort to play this game, to be with his team-mates, and we really appreciate what he has done.

‘I just said to the players that this win is especially for him because we know how close he was [with Jota] and the effort that he has done.

‘So no doubt that we really appreciate what he decided in the end.’

Chelsea dominated the opening 45 minutes against Palmeiras and could have scored several more than the solitary Cole Palmer goal which saw us lead 1-0 at the interval.

Palmeiras were noticeably improved following the break, though, and equalised through Estevao Willian early in the second half.

In the end, a moment of fortune led to Malo Gusto's cross being diverted into Palmeiras' goal, initially by the outstretched leg of a defender and then finally via the wrong-footed Weverton.

Maresca was asked about 'being lucky' due to the nature of the second goal but the Italian highlighted it was what we deserved over the course of the 90 minutes.

He said: ‘Personally, I think in the first half we were in control of the game. We didn't concede anything.

‘We scored the goal and we could have scored some more goals and then they were better than us and they scored.

‘The game changed a bit, the dynamic changed, but then I think in the last 20 to 25 minutes we were in control again and I think we deserved to win the game without being lucky.’

Our second goal came following a short corner, something which has been used extensively during the Club World Cup, and Maresca explained: ‘Since we started this competition, we have a new structure in corners. The reason why is because we are always looking to improve things and offensively during the Premier League, I think we need to improve things.

‘So since the Club World Cup started, we have a new structure. Most of the time we try to play short, but also we have the long option.’

Chelsea's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense will be shown live by DAZN and you can watch by signing up for free here.