EVEN basket cases occasionally manage to weave the wicker strands together neatly enough.
After 16 months without European football at Stamford Bridge, Christopher Nkunku's penalty and Noni Madueke's slick finish made the Swiss roll over and proved that absence makes the heart grow fondue.
The Enzo Maresca era is up and running, and on this evidence they will have more than enough quality to sail through their Europa Conference League play-off second leg next Thursday. If they made heavy weather of it at times, the smattering of boos at half-time was harsh.
But it is a measure of how far Chelsea have slipped that their maiden voyage in competition was not on TV.
The Blues won the the 2021 Champions League in 2021, now they are going head-tohead with Smorgasbord Rovers and Eskimo Park Rangers. And it still was not a ringing endorsement of the spend, spend, spend regime.
Denne historien er fra August 23, 2024-utgaven av Daily Express.
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Denne historien er fra August 23, 2024-utgaven av Daily Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE ART OF WAR
Boss lauds 'ugly' derby win after sleepless nights blight build-up
CLOCK-WISE
Newcastle wake up in time to stun dominant Wolves
Vu's late burst ends brave European rally
LILIA GETS AMERICANS OVER LINE
'Miracle' Triple Layer Insoles stopped my husband's knee and foot paint!
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Why teens are hooked on Friends 20 years on
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FINAL JOURNEY OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR
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Space billionaire returns to Earth with a splash
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'I feel I'm having one of the greatest decades of my life'
DAVINA McCall is relishing fulfilling lifelong her 50s career ambitions, scooping an MBE and finding happiness with partner Michael Douglas.
Putin hands Iran nuclear secrets in return for ballistic missiles
FEARS were growing in the West last night that Russia gave Iran nuclear secrets in return for ballistic missiles to use in its bombardment of Ukraine.
William wishes Harry a happy 40th birthday
KATE and William sent greetings to Prince Harry on his 40th birthday yesterday as they followed the lead of the King.