Liam Delap scored his first goal since becoming a Chelsea player in a 3-0 win over ES Tunis at the Club World Cup, hailing his link-up with the Blues captain.
Enzo Maresca’s side booked their spot in the last 16 in the States where they will face Benfica on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring for the Premier League side in first-half stoppage time, with Delap adding another just two minutes later.
Tyrique George completed the scoring late in the game as Chelsea bounced back from their defeat to Flamengo last week.
Delap will score better goals than the one that bizarrely snuck past goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said, but it got him off the mark for the Blues since his £30m move from Ipswich Town earlier this month.
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The 22-year-old is enjoying himself in his new surroundings and hopes many more goal will follow his strike in Philadelphia.
‘We knew we had to win tonight to get through, and we’re pleased to get the job done,’ Delap said. ‘It’s a really happy feeling and hopefully it’s the first [goal] of many. I love playing football and to play for such a good team is a great feeling.’
Chelsea skipper Enzo Fernandez provided the assist for Delap’s goal and the Englishman said they had a little chat ahead of the game.
It was a simple enough plan but it suggested the two could enjoy a successful partnership at Stamford Bridge.
‘I spoke to Enzo and he told me that when he gets the ball that I should run,’ he said. ‘It was a great pass, and luckily it went in.’
On the upcoming knocking clash with Benfica, he added: ‘We’ve just got to prepare over the next few days. Everyone will come out fighting, and hopefully we’ll progress.’
Delap will likely lead the line again when Chelsea face the Portuguese side, with Nicolas Jackson suspended following his red card against Flamengo.
Maresca on Delap
Maresca was pleased to see his new striker open his account, saying: ‘It’s a good feeling for him. It’s a good feeling for the teammates, and we are happy to have him with us.’
On the comfortable victory over the African side, the Italian added: ‘I’m very happy. We wanted the win to continue to build a winning mentality. And I think the players, they were good, and now we can think for the next one.
‘We have two or three days to prepare again. With these conditions, we’re going to try to do our best.’
Who will Manchester City face next?
Manchester City will join Chelsea in the knockout stages, but whether they top Group G or finish second will be decided when they take on Juventus on Thursday.
Pep Guardiola’s men could face Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg or Al Hilal, depending on results in both groups.
City will need to beat Juventus to top their group, which would give them the best chance of avoiding Real Madrid next, as the Spaniards are favourites to top their own group.
Both the Premier League and Serie A sides have made light work of Wydad AC and Al Ain so far.