The Blues were looking dangerous even before Kenneth Taylor saw red for a late challenge on 18 minutes and when Marc Guiu scored a minute later, the result never looked in doubt.

Moises Caicedo added a deflected second and whilst Wout Weghorst pulled a goal back five minutes later from the penalty spot, two penalties of our on on the verge of half-time, from Enzo Fernandez and Estevao Willian, meant we lead 4-1 at the break.

Substitute Tyrique George made it five just after the interval and the Blues continued to attack Ajax throughout the second period but had to settle for 5-1.

Ten changes

Maresca made ten changes to his XI, as Romeo Lavia was the only player to retain his place from Saturday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Filip Jorgensen started in goal, as Moises Caicedo played as an inverted right-back, with the Ecuadorian joining Lavia in the deeper midfield roles.

Jorrel Hato lined up against his former club at left-back and alongside him was Wesley Fofana, making his fourth start of the season.

Estevao Willian was playing off the right flank, with Facundo Buonanotte centrally, Enzo pushing up as the other advanced No.10 and Jamie Gittens on the left flank.

Marc Guiu made his first start for Chelsea since January to lead the line, following his impressive substitute outings against Liverpool and in particular Nottingham Forest. It was his second start of the season after playing for Sunderland - and scoring - in the EFL Cup against Huddersfield.

Ajax enjoyed the first attack of note but Romeo Lavia and then his Chelsea team-mates recovered in time to end the danger and get the block in close to our goal.

Chelsea were dominating possession early on, though, and a superb through-ball from deep by Enzo Fernandez picked out the run of Guiu and goalkeeper Remko Pasveer had to rush out to save the striker's shot at his feet when one-on-one.

The dynamics of the game then completely changed in the space of two minutes. First, Taylor's diving challenge saw the midfielder catch the ankle of Buonanotte and after a VAR check, referee Felix Zwayer sent off the Dutchman.

Blues ahead

And a minute later, Buonanotte's mishit cross found Fofana at the far post and his header back across goal picked out the unmarked Guiu, leaving the striker was a simple finish for 1-0.

The Blues were looking a threat and some neat wing play from Gittens saw the England Under-21 international reach the byline and force Ajax into a save from a tight angle, before Caicedo sliced his effort from the resulting corner wide.

The midfielder's next effort from outside the box did end up on target and in the back of the net, as his powerful strike was deflected by an Ajax defender, wrong-footing Pasveer for 2-0.

Chelsea might have been completely dominant and a man to the good but Ajax pulled a goal back soon after when Tosin stood on the foot of and a penalty was awarded. Weghorst stepped up and although Jorgensen got a hand to the spot-kick, he was beaten by the power.

Gittens and Estevao were causing the Ajax full-backs problems and another exciting run from the prior ended with a dangerous in-swinging cross from the left which Enzo was unable to direct goalwards.

The Blues kept coming and it was 4-1 in first-half injury-time as stood on the heel of Estevao and the Brazilian brushed himself down and curled his penalty into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper no chance.

Maresca made three changes at the break, as Trevoh Chalobah replaced Tosin, Andrey Santos came on for Enzo and George replaced Guiu.

And George made an immediate impact as three minutes after coming on, Ajax managed to block off the run of Estevao following good play by Caicedo and Lavia but the ball only rolled to George, who struck a 20-yard shot which was deflected beyond Pasveer for 5-1.

There were to be more academy products introduced from the bench as Reggie Walsh, who only turned 17 two days ago, came on for Lavia on the hour.

It was wave after wave of attack from the Blues as they went close on several occasions.

Estevao almost got on the end of several dangerous crosses from the likes of Gittens. It was from the latter's dribble from deep when Estevao struck a powerful shot from outside the box, which Pasveer had to palm away.

Chants of 'One Matthew Harding' rung around the stand which bares his name as tonight marks the 29th anniversary of the Blues legend's passing.

With Estevao now playing centrally and George moving to the right wing, it felt like a one-man mission as the Brazilian kept going close. His acrobatic overhead kick had most of the stadium on their feet as it went agonisingly wide.

What it means

Chelsea are up to 11th in the Champions League table, level on six points with Newcastle United in eighth.

The top eight teams after the six matches progress to the knockout round directly, while ninth to 24th enter the play-offs.

What's next

The Blues will be back at Stamford Bridge again on Saturday afternoon when we take on Sunderland in a rare 3pm kick-off.

The Carabao Cup tie with Wolves and London derby with Tottenham Hotspur will then follow before our next Champions League clash in two weeks' time, when we travel to Qarabag on Wednesday 5 November.

The teams

Chelsea: Jorgensen; Caicedo (Acheampong 49), Fofana, Tosin (Chalobah HT), Hato; Lavia (Walsh 65), Enzo (Andrey Santos HT); Estevao, Buonanotte, Gittens; Guiu (George HT)
Substitutes not used: Sanchez, Merrick, James, Cucurella, Neto, Garnacho, Kavuma-McQueen
Scorers: Guiu 18, Caicedo 27, Enzo 45, Estevao 45+6, George 48,
Bookings: Tosin 31, Estevao 56

Ajax: Pasveer; Rosa (Gaaei 84), Itakura, Sutalo, Baas; McConnell (Regeer 79), Taylor, Gloukh (Mokio 23); Moro, Weghorst (Klaassen HT), Godts (Fitz-Jim 84)Substitutes not used: Jaros, Heerkens, Edvardsen, Konadu, Alders, Bounida
Scorers: Weghorst 33
Bookings: Weghorst 45+6
Red card: Taylor 17

Referee: Felix Zwayer (Ger)
Attendance: 38,948