Chelsea overpowers Heidenheim in UEFA Conference League

BERLIN - Chelsea maintained its perfect record after four rounds as goals from Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk secured a 2-0 away victory over Heidenheim in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Heidenheim created the first opportunity of the match when Mikkel Kaufmann curled a free-kick just wide of the left post in the second minute.

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca made significant changes to his lineup, but the Blues still managed to shine in attack as Marc Guiu kept the Heidenheim defence and goalkeeper Kevin Muller under pressure.

Heidenheim continued to threaten, with Kaufmann and Leonardo Scienza coming close, before Paul Wanner was denied by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen around the half-hour mark.

At the other end, Nkunku squandered a decent chance moments later, while Tosin Adarabioyo missed a good opportunity to take the lead just before halftime when he volleyed over from six metres.

Shortly after the restart, Chelsea broke the deadlock when Jadon Sancho's pinpoint cross found Nkunku, who controlled the ball expertly and slotted it home in the 51st minute.

Heidenheim had a golden opportunity to level the score, but Wanner's effort was saved by Jorgensen in the 70th minute. The Bundesliga side was unfortunate to have Maximilian Breunig's header ruled out for offside nine minutes later.

Mudryk sealed Heidenheim's fate in the 86th minute when the Ukrainian fired the ball into the right-hand corner, ending any hopes of a comeback.

Heidenheim slips to ninth place in the table, while unbeaten Chelsea remains at the top.

"It was a very good challenge on all fronts, they were pressing hard, intense, but no matter what they do, it's important that we are ready. It's important to keep that mentality," said Maresca. - BERNAMA-XINHUA