Chelsea have recorded a 2-0 victory over Fulham to win the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.
First-half goals from Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku made the difference as Mauricio Pochettino's new-look side again impressed against a fellow side from England's top flight.
With four points having been previously collected against Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United, Chelsea lift the pre-season trophy ahead of a meeting with Borussia Dortmund next week.
Pochettino opted to hand surprise opportunities to several of the club's younger crop, including goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina and forward Mason Burstow.
A towering header from Thiago Silva has put @ChelseaFC in front! 👏
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 30, 2023
🇺🇸 #PLSummerSeries
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Both prospects did their chances of a future senior role no harm with solid performances at opposite ends of the pitch, but it was the team's oldest player who put Chelsea into the lead.
An in-swinging corner from the left from Ben Chilwell found the head of Silva, who got above his marker to power a header into the far corner of the net.
Chelsea should have doubled their advantage when a swift attack led to Enzo Fernandez being given a chance to score from 10 yards, only for the World Cup winner to scuff a shot straight at Bernd Leno before sending the rebound wide.
Nevertheless, Chelsea had their second goal four minutes before the break, Carney Chukwuemeka's showing a sharp turn of foot to glide into the penalty area and see an effort saved by Leno, with the ball being diverted into the path of Nkunku who converted the rebound into an empty net.
How impressive was this footwork from Lewis Hall? ✨
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 30, 2023
🇺🇸 #PLSummerSeries
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Pochettino made a wave of changes at half time and shortly after the restart, yet it did not disrupt his side's rhythm as they continued to outclass opponents who finished above them in the standings in 2022-23.
As has been the case throughout the summer, Ian Maatsen and Nicolas Jackson impressed in the final third, as did Lewis Hall who required a standout performance to keep him in Pochettino's thinking at a time when Maatsen has moved ahead of him in the pecking order.
Substitute goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom kept out Bobby Decordova-Reid's strike during the closing stages to preserve Chelsea's clean sheet, and there is a real feeling that momentum is building for Pochettino and his players ahead of their league opener with Liverpool on August 13.
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