Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea made an ideal Premier League debut, winning 3-0 away to Huddersfield Town, with a cheeky Jorginho penalty.
Sarri eventually took over from sacked Antonio Conte several days into pre-season training after a lengthy row with his old club Napoli.
He became the sixth Italian Coach on the Stamford Bridge bench and made his Premier League debut away to Huddersfield Town this afternoon.
Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea made an ideal Premier League debut, winning 3-0 away to Huddersfield Town, with a cheeky Jorginho penalty.
Sarri eventually took over from sacked Antonio Conte several days into pre-season training after a lengthy row with his old club Napoli.
He became the sixth Italian Coach on the Stamford Bridge bench and made his Premier League debut away to Huddersfield Town this afternoon.
Italy international and ex-Napoli star Jorginho also made his debut, as did world’s most expensive goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, but Eden Hazard was only fit for the bench after Belgium’s long World Cup run.
Cesc Fabregas was ruled out by a slight injury.
N’Golo Kante scored the first goal of the Sarri era, his scuffed volley still creeping in at the far post after a Willian cross from the by-line.
Napoli also showed a weakness in defending from set plays and Huddersfield almost equalised immediately, a Steve Mounie header from a corner thumping the upright.
Marcos Alonso was brought down in the box and Jorginho marked his Premier League debut by converting the penalty with a cheeky skipping run-up and side-foot finish.
Alonso almost added a third goal in the second half, his acrobatic overhead kick clipping the crossbar.
Hazard did come off the bench late on and immediately his illuminating assist freed Pedro for a dinked finish.
Huddersfield Town 0-3 Chelsea
Kante 34 (C), Jorginho pen 43 (C), Pedro 80 (C)
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, David Luiz, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Barkley (Loftus-Cheek 68); Willian (Hazard 75), Morata, Pedro (Moses 81)