Chelsea and Inter Milan played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge to send Enzo Maresca's side into the new season on a morale-boosting result. The performance was full of positives, too, with Noni Madueke, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Guiu all impressing in front of a hefty home crowd, and no doubt catching the eye of their new manager.
Marcus Thuram smashed in for Inter against the run of play midway through the first half, before new Blues signing Pedro Neto was presented to the Bridge at the interval. Chelsea probed after the break, as Christopher Nkunku went close with a stunning bicycle-kick and Levi Colwill hit the post, but Lesley Ugochukwu stepped forward to be the unlikely hero by rifling home in the 90th minute.
Here, Express Sport brings you a rundown of each player's display on Sunday afternoon...
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Robert Sanchez 7/10
No clean sheet but one or two nice passes into midfield, and a great reflex save to deny Federico Dimarco.
Malo Gusto 7/10
A few signs of rust but popped up all over the pitch and whipped in some dangerous crosses.
Wesley Fofana 6/10
Got beaten before Thuram's opener but restored some credit with goal-saving slide tackle later in the first half.
Levi Colwill 6/10
Gave Thuram too much space for Inter's goal but the defender was steady enough otherwise, and almost got on the scoresheet when he hit the post in the second period.
Marc Cucurella 6/10
Quiet afternoon for the Spaniard after busy Euro 2024 campaign.
Enzo Fernandez 8/10
Impressive showing after an eventful summer. Dictated play and was adventurous with his passing.
Romeo Lavia 5/10
Looked sloppy and well off the pace, which is to be expected of a player who missed virtually all of his debut season.
Noni Madueke 9/10
A real menace down Chelsea's right flank. Asked by far the most questions of any Blues attacker and laid on a number of chances for his team-mates.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 6/10
A few nice touches but nothing majorly influential from the No 10 role.
Mykhaylo Mudryk 6/10
Tried a few things, not all of them came off but there are signs that he is finally settling in at Stamford Bridge.
Marc Guiu 8/10
Brought plenty of energy and was heavily involved for a lone striker. Two good attempts were both well saved by Yann Sommer.
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SUBSTITUTES
Cole Palmer (on 45') 7/10
Threads the needle with his passing and always makes things happen.
Moises Caicedo (on 45') 6/10
Steady but unspectacular.
Christopher Nkunku (on 45') 6/10
Saw a sensational bicycle-kick attempt saved, then missed a poor free-kick and spurned a good chance laid on by Mudryk.
Renato Veiga (on 45') 7/10
The highlight of his half was successfully flying into a slide tackle like a man keen to make a good early impression.
Nicolas Jackson (on 56') 5/10
Outshone by other attackers, including Guiu in the first half.
Benoit Badiashile (on 69') 6/10
No standout moments in his short time on the pitch.
Tosin Adarabioyo (on 69') 6/10
Quiet cameo as Chelsea pushed forward to try and find an equaliser.
Raheem Sterling (on 78') 7/10
Came on and immediately fired in a low cross which Palmer struck wide.
Lesley Ugochukwu (on 80') 7/10
Well-taken goal in the 90th minute to boost his confidence and rescue a draw for the Blues.
