Chelsea won their first competitive encounter under Mauricio Pochettino on Friday, 3-0 at home against Premier League new boys Luton Town, courtesy to two goals from Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson’s first goal for the Londoners.
In the 17th minute, Sterling took the ball from wing back Malo Gusto, cut in from the right, and threaded his way past Luton’s defenders before firing low into the far corner for one of his greatest goals in a Chelsea jersey.
In the 68th minute, Gusto raced onto a pass from British record transfer signing Moises Caicedo, who looked poised in his debut start for Chelsea, and the Frenchman crossed for Sterling to score easily.
Seven minutes later, Sterling provided the assist when he crossed for Jackson, who scored his first goal for Chelsea since joining from Villarreal in June.
It was the Blues’ first victory of the season following a 1-1 draw against Liverpool on the opening day and a 3-1 loss at West Ham United last Sunday, and just their second win in 15 Premier League games, including last season’s terrible run.
Luton Town, playing just their second top-flight game in 31 years – after a 4-1 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion – and fielding a team mostly made up of lower-league players, missed a chance to equalise on the hour.
Gusto half-blocked Ryan Giles’ effort, and keeper Robert Sánchez lunged for the looping ball.
Sterling has thrived under the Argentine after struggling to find consistent form since joining from Manchester City in July last year.
“I spoke with the gaffer earlier last week, and we went over the role, and I know exactly what he needs from me, and it’s as simple as that,” Sterling said.
“I think the most important thing is that I’ve looked at myself, and I’m the type of person who always tries to analyse what I’ve been doing, what I’ve done wrong, and what I can change.”
In a less dramatic fashion, Friday’s success was noteworthy for the way Caicedo anchored Chelsea’s midfield, enabling Enzo Fernández and Conor Gallagher to push farther forward and stretch an inferior Luton.
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