João Félix ended his goal drought with a brace as Chelsea powered to a win against Panathinaikos in Athens in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
The Portugal forward has struggled to make an impact since returning for a second spell with Chelsea in August. Yet to start a Premier League game following his move from Atletico Madrid, the 24-year-old seized the chance to prove a point to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
Félix’s only goal in seven previous appearances this season came on his debut at Wolves on 25 August. He ended his six-game barren run in the first half against out-classed Panathinaikos and netted again after the interval.
Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku were also on target as Chelsea made it two wins from two games in the competition.
Before kick-off, Panathinaikos paid tribute to their defender George Baldock, who died after drowning in his swimming pool in Athens aged 31 this month.
In Panathinaikos’s first home match since Baldock’s death, his teammates warmed up wearing the Greece international’s number 32 on their shirts, while fans held up green cards with the same numerals during an emotional minute’s silence.
Maresca made 11 changes from the side that lost at Liverpool last weekend, but still fielded a strong side that was far too dynamic for Panathinaikos. Félix put Chelsea ahead in the 22nd minute, starting the move with a cushioned header to Mudryk before sprinting into the six-yard box to slot home from the Ukrainian’s cross.
After setting up Chelsea’s opener, Mudryk bagged the second himself in the 48th minute with a fierce strike from Neto’s cross. Félix scored again seven minutes later, putting the result beyond doubt with a 20-yard drive that took a wicked deflection into the net.
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Nkunku’s 59th-minute penalty, awarded for Daniel Mancini’s foul, underlined Chelsea’s superiority. Facundo Pellistri got one back for Panathinaikos with a close-range finish in the 69th minute.
