Chelsea ruthlessly capitalized on an early red card for Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor to thrash the Dutch side 5-1 in their Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Enzo Maresca’s bold decision to make 10 changes proved inspired, as Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo struck early before Enzo Fernandez and Estevao converted from the penalty spot before halftime. Tyrique George rounded off the scoring in the second half, sealing Chelsea’s second consecutive Champions League victory following an opening defeat to Bayern Munich.
The win lifts the Blues to 11th in the group standings, while Ajax remain bottom without a point.
Chelsea Punish 10-Man Ajax
Ajax arrived in London still searching for their first goal and point of the campaign. Despite Chelsea’s mounting injury list after their Club World Cup triumph in July, Maresca viewed the fixture as an opportunity to rotate his squad. Only Romeo Lavia kept his place from the weekend’s 3-0 Premier League win at Nottingham Forest.
The reshuffled lineup included Fernandez’s return from injury, record signing Caicedo, and 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Estevao.
Ajax’s night quickly unraveled when VAR upgraded Taylor’s 15th-minute yellow card for a high challenge on Facundo Buonanotte to red.
After Maresca had fielded questions about Chelsea’s recent disciplinary record—four red cards in their previous six matches—his side made the extra man count immediately. From the resulting free-kick, Guiu turned in Wesley Fofana’s header to open the scoring.
Caicedo soon doubled the lead with a deflected effort off Josip Sutalo, his fourth goal of the season after managing just three in all competitions since his £115 million move from Brighton in 2023.
Ajax briefly found hope when Tosin Adarabioyo fouled Raul Moro in the box, allowing Wout Weghorst to score from the spot. But Chelsea quickly reasserted control, winning two penalties before halftime.
Weghorst tripped Fernandez, who converted from 12 yards, before Estevao won and dispatched a second spot-kick with confidence to make it 4-1.
Maresca made further changes at the break, resting Fernandez and Caicedo among others. Substitute Tyrique George wasted no time adding a fifth, finishing low from an Andrey Santos backheel just three minutes after coming on.
Chelsea’s dominance ensured a comfortable win, extending their European momentum as Ajax’s struggles continued.
