BLUES GET THE BENZ

Clinical Karim rams Boehly's words back down his throat as Chelsea fight hard but now face uphill task

- JOHN CROSS

TODD BOEHLY'S pre match prediction lasted all of 21 minutes.

That is how long it took for Real Madrid to dismantle Chelsea's defence and for Karim Benzema to feast on yet another English defence.

Chelsea owner Boehly, who had boldly claimed his team would win 3-0, was left eating his words and regretting yet another foot-in-mouth moment.

It is not as if Real Madrid need any more motivation, and you can bet Blues caretaker boss Frank Lampard would have secretly winced at his new boss promising to wipe the floor with the European champs.

Lampard has inherited something straight out of a Ted Lasso script at Stamford Bridge and not even the plot lines in that TV drama would be far-fetched enough for Chelsea to put three past Real Madrid.

In fairness to the Blues, Lampard inspired his players as they put on a brave display which only really turned sour when Ben Chilwell was sent off in the 59th minute for a blatant pullback on Madrid forward Rodrygo.

From then on, it was a case of damage limitation and the fact they kept it down to just 2-0 actually sees them earn some credit in a bizarre soap opera of a season.