Group D: Chelsea 2-0 LAFC (Neto 34, Fernández 79)
Crowd of 22,137 in 75,000-capacity Atlanta venue
Chelsea bought Liam Delap to score goals but they will not complain if their new No 9 also makes them. There is range to Delap’s game and this was an impressive start from the 22-year-old, whose late assist for Enzo Fernández ensured that his new side opened their Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC.
Enzo Maresca will be pleased. There is healthy competition for places in attack now that Delap has joined for the bargain price of £30m. Nicolas Jackson looks ready for the battle. He responded well, setting up the opening goal for Pedro Neto as Chelsea cruised past limited opposition from Major League Soccer in Group D.
As for Fifa, the disappointment was that so few supporters were there to witness it. A mid-afternoon kick-off did not help draw in the crowds at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where 22,137 fans were present in a ground that can hold 75,000.
