Liam Delap opened his Chelsea account in style, scoring his maiden goal for the Blues in a 3-0 win over ES Tunis that secured their place in the Club World Cup knockout stage. 

The 22-year-old striker, a recent £30 million signing from Ipswich Town, made his mark in first-half stoppage time with a composed finish following a deft spin inside the box—offering a glimpse of the attacking flair Chelsea fans were hoping for.

The breakthrough came shortly after defender Tosin Adarabioyo rose highest to head home Enzo Fernandez’s curling free-kick, giving Chelsea a deserved lead at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. 

With temperatures soaring to a sticky 36°C at kickoff, manager Enzo Maresca opted for sweeping changes, rotating eight players and resting key names including Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, and Moises Caicedo.

Despite a subdued second half, Chelsea comfortably kept their African opponents at bay. ES Tunis, needing victory to advance, struggled to create clear chances. Substitute Tyrique George sealed the deal with a clinical finish in the dying moments in front of 32,967 fans.

The win confirmed Chelsea’s runner-up position in Group D, behind Flamengo, and set up a tantalizing last-16 clash with Benfica. With Nicolas Jackson suspended following his red card against Flamengo, Delap’s performance offered timely reassurance. 

The England Under-21 international had earlier forced a save from Bechir Ben Said after a well-timed run from Noni Madueke’s incisive pass—signaling his readiness to shoulder responsibility in the next round.

Maresca’s squad rotation gambit paid off, and Chelsea will now hope this momentum carries them further in the competition. For Delap, it was a night to remember—and possibly the first of many defining moments in blue.

Source: BBC

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