After winning the Champions League and all their pre-season matches, Chelsea continue their winning ways. After three defeats in the three last UEFA SuperCup clashes (last two on penalties), London Blues finally won the prestigious trophy – for the second time in club’s history. Final score 1-1 after full time and 6-5 in the penalty shootouts.It was a great game of football. From the very start team from Stamford Bridge applied pressure on the ‘Yellow Submarine’. As early as the 6th minute, last season’s Mr. Unlucky – Timo Werner – had a chance to open this season in a better manner. He missed a big chance from point-blank range as he struck the ball towards the crossbar. His promising effort following the corner kick was, to his disappointment, thwarted by Sergio Asenjo with a fabulous save.Villareal defended well and and were constantly trying to create some counter-attack chances but Chelsea’s midfielders N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic intercepted all those attempts.Chelsea finally took the lead in the 27th minute. Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech was at the right place at the right time. Kai Havertz sent a low cross in the box, Werner let the ball pass him and Ziyech sent it behind Asenjo.
Only minutes later, in the 33rd, Villareal could have equalized. Senegalese winger Boulaye Dia had time and space inside the box after picking up a neat pass, but his shot towards the bottom right corner was brilliantly saved by Edouard Mendy.Chelsea responded with two massive opportunities to double their lead. First, Marcos Alonso’s low shot was deflected by Asenjo and his cat-like reflexes. Then Kurt Zouma wasted a huge opportunity after receiving a fine cross from the free kick, but his close-range shot went well over the crossbar.Unfortunately for the Blues, Ziyech suffered an injury in the 40th minute which made him leave the pitch so Christian Pulisic took his place.Just before the half-time whistle, Villareal were centimeters close to leveling. Alberto Moreno cracked a first-time shot from inside the box that rattled the crossbar.Love triangle: Mourinho wants Abraham, Tammy wants ArsenalSecond half opened with more intensity from the Spanish team and the match continued with the same energy – a chance straight away. Havertz received a pass on the edge of the box and took a shot which sent the ball just wide of the left post.And as if they already had enough of misfortune with the woodwork – Villareal misses another great opportunity. Mendy kicked the ball out awfully and it ended up with Gerard Moreno. Villareal’s striker quickly whipped the ball from inside the box towards the net to beat the keeper, but Mendy punched it onto the left post.The tables completely turned in the first part of the second half. Villareal pressed Chelsea and the Londoners could not find a way to shake it off.In the 68th minute, Pervis Estupinan tried from close range but his attempt was stopped by the Senegalese goalkeeper.It was only a matter of time until the Spanish team scored. And they did so in the 73rd minute. New signing from Rennes Boulaye Dia displayed great awareness and sent a heal-pass to Gerard Moreno who showed brilliant composure inside the box to bury the ball into the top left corner.
With this goal Gerard Moreno became the best goal scorer in Villareal’s history with 83 goals overtaking the Italian Giuseppe Rossi.After the goal, Chelsea kind of woke up. They took the ball from Villareal and tried to endanger Asenjo with longer and intricate build-up.Alonso had a promising chance in the final seconds of the match but his powerful shot hit the side netting.It just looked like both teams were too fatigued to try and score before the full time whistle.SATURDAY, 17.00: (1.30) CHELSEA (5.20) CRYSTAL PALACE (11.00)Both teams started the extra time portion of the match carefully. Mostly half-chances and a midfield battles with a lot of fouls and interceptions. Chelsea did have the ball more but their attacks were pretty much harmless.Out of nowhere, in the 100th minute, Chelsea came painfully close to regaining the lead. Christian Pulisic was furious with himself as he missed a clear opportunity from the six-yard box – his shot went wide of the left post.Mason Mount opened the second extra-time period with a massive chance. Sergio Asenjo pulled off a great save to deny the Englishman, who made himself some space inside the box and unleashed a quick shot to the right side of the goal.Penalties took a while. After 7 series of shots from the spot, Kepa Arrizabalaga denied the shot of Villareal’s captain, Raul Albiol and thus brought the second UEFA SuperCup trophy to Stamford Bridge. Opposed to the Carabao Cup final two years ago when Kepa did not want to listen to then Chelsea manager Mauricio Sarri and ended up a mockery – tonight Spanish keeper is the hero of Chelsea!UEFA SUPERCUPChelsea – Villareal 1-1 (1-0) – 6-5 on penalties/Ziyech 27′ – Moreno 73’/