Chelsea suffer another injury scare as Enzo Maresca faces nervy wait before Arsenal

Enzo Maresca faces nervy wait before Arsenal clash

Chelsea have been handed a huge injury worry with Estevao Willian forced off late into their Champions League clash against Barcelona. The Brazil international scored a sensational goal in the 3-0 victory and thus any muscular problem will serve as a huge blow to Enzo Maresca.

After receiving treatment from physios, Estevao was replaced by Tyrique George. Not obviously limping, sitting on the bench and speaking to Amazon Prime Video after the win suggests he could be fine and his withdrawal is precautionary. but it is a concern nonetheless.

Earlier in the half, Estevao breezed past two Barcelona defenders before firing into the roof of the net to double Chelsea's lead after Pedro Neto forced a Jules Kounde own goal.

After the game, Estevao said to Prime Video: "I don't really have any words to sum up how I am feeling. It was all very quick for me. I found some space and wiggled my way through."

"Yes, yes [this is the best moment of my career]. I hope I keep scoring for many more years. My family were here to watch."

Liam Delap came off the bench to add a third after Enzo Fernandez exposed Barcelona's high line.

The Blues were helped by Ronald Araujo getting sent off for two yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes. The second of those came after a needless foul on Marc Cucurella.

VAR endured a busy evening with Chelsea seeing three goals disallowed and semi-automated offside required to allow their opener to count on a chaotic night at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Fernandez put the ball in the back of the net twice in the opening 25 minutes. The first was ruled out after a Wesley Fofana handball with Trevoh Chalobah offside in the lead up to his second strike.

Just a few minutes after half-time, Andrey Santos saw his tame effort slip under Joan Garcia but the linesman quickly lifted up his flag.

The man advantage certainly helped Chelsea but Barca's high line was brutally exposed on several occasions by the hosts.

Maresca spoke about that during his pre-match press conference but also was full of praise for their quality on the ball.

He said: "Yeah the high line is a factor for sure, but as you said I think we need to pay attention also off the ball, because the idea that they create all the chances, they score goals always, so we need the right balance between attacking and defending."

Maresca also noted: "I think they're spectacular, it's a team that whenever I look at it there are things that can be learned, things that can be looked at, how they attack, how they defend, which in the end has given them the chance to win La Liga last year, to get to the Champions League semi-final.

"They do a lot of things very well and it's a team that always wants initiative, always wants value and we try to do the same on our side."

A 3-0 victory will arrive as a big boost for Chelsea ahead of hosting leaders Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.

Before Christmas, the Blues are also scheduled to take on Leeds United, Bournemouth, Everton, Atalanta, Cardiff City and Newcastle United across three different competitions.