Delap scores first goal as Chelsea progress at Club World Cup

SourceBBC

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Striker Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal as the Blues qualified for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup with a win over ES Tunis.

The 22-year-old scored with a placed shot deep into first half added time to get off the mark after his £30m move from Ipswich earlier this month.

It came just two minutes after defender Tosin Adarabioyo headed in a free-kick from Enzo Fernandez to open the scoring.

Substitute Tyrique George added a late third with practically the last kick of the match n front of 32,967 fans at Lincoln Financial Field.

Manager Enzo Maresca’s team selection appeared to be impacted by the extreme temperatures in Philadelphia, which still ‘felt like’ 36C by the 9pm kick-off because of the humidity.

The Italian made eight changes and rested star forward Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s top scorer in the competition Pedro Neto, and record signing Moises Caicedo.

Maresca rang further changes during a flat second half as Chelsea eased away from an improbable upset against their African opponents, who came into the match needing a win to progress at Chelsea’s expense.

Victory means Chelsea progress as runners-up in Group D, behind winners Flamengo, to set up a last-16 meeting with Portuguese club Benfica.