Chelsea's new signing Joao Pedro scored twice to send the Blues through to the final of the Club World Cup – and what goals they were!
Neatly sidefooting a challenge from former Stamford Bridge hero Thiago Silva, the 23-year-old Pedro slammed his second past the 44-year-old Fluminense keeper Fabio in New York as youth triumphed over experience to notch a convincing 2-0 win.
Pedro, seemingly well worth the £60million fee Chelsea paid Brighton, inspired the victory and was a key part of an exhibition of tight passing, darting breakaways and measured possession which delighted the replica shirt-wearing contingent in the crowd at the MetLife stadium.
Now Chelsea face either PSG or Real Madrid in Sunday night's final, being screened at 8pm.
Pedro's arrival, allied to the signing of Liam Delap (who was suspended for Tuesday night's match), magnifies the question mark over Nico Jackson, whose temperament has come under intense scrutiny in the past couple of months.
The Brazilian's first goal came after 18 minutes as he curled a ball into the far corner of the net. The second came following a crucial Marc Cucurella's goalline clearance after Robert Sanchez was beaten.
Pedro's shot in the second half went in off the underside of the crossbar, with Enzo Fernandez providing the assist.
Manager Enzo Maresca has rarely looked happier, or more relaxed, than he did on the touchline, where he was kept cool by misting machines in the belting heat.
The only problem for the Blues? When they've finished their Club World Cup escapade in North America, there's hardly any time for a holiday before the rigours of the Premier League season, which cranks up again on 17 August, when Chelsea host FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
And there's also the little matter of a two-games-in-three-days friendly series in Malta to squeeze in the week before that. Is there no rest?
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
