Chelsea Dominate in Israel

Chelsea stroll to a comfortable victory in Tel Aviv through goals from Gary Cahill, Willian, Oscar and Kurt Zouma. Chelsea dominated from start to finish and their task was made easier with the sending off of Tal Ben Haim shortly before half time.

Right from the first whistle, it was a fast paced game. The home side had a very good chance early on when a free header was directed over the goal. Jose Mourinho will be shocked at how easily it was for the Maccabi man to lose the central defenders.

With the home crowd on side, Maccabi looked dangerous on the counter attack. It was shocking how vulnerable Chelsea's back four looked when Tal Ben Haim (the striker) ran with the ball in the 5th minute. After 15 minutes Chelsea had got a foothold in the game and were controlling the possession. It was often made easier with Tel Aviv gifting the possession back to the English side.

Chelsea made the break through on 20 minutes with Gary Cahill pouncing on a rebound after his own header. The Maccabi keeper pulled off a magnificent save to prevent the former Bolton man from scoring the first time around as he tipped the header onto the post, but was helpless to prevent Cahill smashing in his first European goal since the tie against PSG last season.

Chelsea were very comfortable and there were plenty more goals in this for Mourinho's men. They regularly found space and Maccabi had to tighten up if they wanted to prevent a hammering. One thing that was noticeable about Chelsea's play was that they were not committing men into the box. They seemed more keen on trying to walk it into the back of the net and often succeeded only for the end product to not be there.

The game was effectively over when former Chelsea man Tal Ben Haim (the centre back) was dismissed after lashing out at Diego Costa. Initially it looked as if the referee had overreacted, but replays showed that the red card was correct. At half time, Chelsea were firmly on top and there were more goals definitely in this.

Maccabi Tel Aviv did expose some of Chelsea's defensive frailties with Hazard occasionally neglecting his defensive responsibilities. These chances were few and far between, but it would only take one chance to equalise. A second goal would take all of the momentum out of Maccabi and allow Chelsea to stroll to the final whistle.

Maccabi's Serbian U21 keeper made two terrific saves before Zahavi flashed a shot towards the goal only to draw a superb save from Asmir Begovic. Chelsea were living dangerously. A long ball counter attack once again undone Chelsea.

The game was sealed by that man Willian with 15 minutes left. Yet again the Brazilian stepped up with the goods with a superb free kick - his 6th free kick goal of the season. Chelsea had got the crucial vital goal to seal their win. The third goal followed shortly after with a Baba Rahman firing a cross across the box to be met by the head of Oscar for his first goal of the season.

Chelsea had a few more opportunities to increase their lead through Pedro Rodrigues, but it was Kurt Zouma who leapt highest to bullet a header towards goal and the keeper wasn't able to keep the ball out of the net. Willian was on form and guided Chelsea one step closer to knock out qualification.

Dominant Performance as Chelsea Brush Maccabi to the Side

Goals from Willian, Oscar, Diego Costa and Fabregas help sweep Maccabi Tel Aviv to the side as Chelsea start their European campaign with three points.

Chelsea dominant the whole match and they made a strong start. Willian was sent through on goal and attempted to round the keeper but was brought down. Penalty Chelsea and it was a perfect chance to settle the nerves evident from the players and supporters. An out of form Eden Hazard stepped up and sent the ball into Row Z. A penalty can be the easiest form of gaining confidence, however missing one can destroy it.

Chelsea did open their European account this year through Willian in the 15th minute. The Brazilian international whipped a dangerous ball into the box and even though no player got a touch on it, the ball found its way into the back of the net. In the opening 20 minutes the goal scorer was probably Chelsea's brightest player. He was the only player willing to take the Maccabi defence on and he was able to beat them more often than not. Unfortunately for the Blues, he was subbed off before the 25 minute mark with a hamstring injury.

Maccabi Tel Aviv didn't create many goal scoring opportunities but they had a glorious one from a set piece free kick. It was a tremendous delivery and found the head of Eran Zahavi who failed to even hit the target. The Israeli really should have done better, if he had left it, there was a Maccabi player free and arguably with a better angle to head the ball. The Israeli champions didn't get many opportunities, so aspirations of coming away from Stamford Bridge with any points briskly died when they failed to capitalise.

On the stroke of half time, substitute Diego Costa was fouled in the box and another penalty was awarded by the German official. This time Oscar stepped up and cooly slotted the penalty into the bottom left corner, showing Hazard how it should be done. Two goals up at half time and the West Londoners were coasting. For the second half Chelsea need to continue to starve the visitors of possession and keep piling on the pressure. It paid dividends when Chelsea pressed from the front as they received possession in the danger zone. More of this and as Maccabi Tel Aviv tire then more opportunities will arise.

The second half represented more of the same. Chelsea dominated and didn't really give their visitors a sniff of the ball. They eventually sealed the game up with a superb volley from just inside the box. It was a terrific piece of skill and something that he needed to do to get him off the mark for Chelsea in Europe. Chelsea were now content to keep the ball without making many more headways into scoring more goals. They were more concerned about preserving the clean sheet and who can blame them?

Despite this Chelsea were getting more opportunities through Baba Rahman and Hazard and it was only a matter of time before the fourth goal was scored, much to the testament of the Tel Aviv performance. Unpredictably, it did come and was on the counter. Chelsea broke with four against two and even though Loic Remy's shot was saved, Cesc Fabregas was on hand to finish the move. Chelsea were in cruise control for the remainder of the match, just the way Mourinho would have wanted ahead of welcoming Arsenal at the weekend. It was a case of job well done, but secretly they will be delighted with the result and performance.

It was the new boys that stole the light tonight and two of them in particular have stuck their hand up for inclusion against Arsenal. Baba Rahman was impressive down the left and looked a real threat as he got forward at every stage. The summer signing will be pleased with his debut and Jose will have no second thoughts about this signing so far. Similarly, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was instrumental for the 75 minutes that he was on the pitch. He was effective at breaking up the Maccabi as well as making surging runs forward from midfield. These runs caused problems for the defence and Mourinho must include him on Saturday afternoon, particularly with his midfielders being in such bad form.

Mourinho got the win he wanted but there will be concern shown to Willian who had to retire from the game prematurely despite being one of the best players on the pitch. Looking at the Arsenal game, Jose will have some decisions to make selection wise and will look to get one over the ol' enemy.