Chelsea break European record with 8-0 thumping of Noah in Conference League as Enzo Maresca hails players for not 'sleeping or falling down'

Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku grabbed a brace each, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk scored once apiece for Chelsea as they cruised to an 8-0 win over Armenian side Noah. The triumph for Enzo Maresca's men was the biggest margin of victory in the brief history of the Conference League, which was inaugurated in 2021.

The result is also Chelsea's second-biggest win in their history, with only the Blues' 13-0 triumph over Jeunesse Hautcharage in 1971 more resounding. The Blues led the game 6-0 at half-time, which was also the biggest lead held by an English team at half-time in a major European competition.

Chelsea boss Maresca has now praised his players for not slipping into a sense of security and calm considering the stature of their opponents. Speaking to the media post-match, he said: "The players once again showed how professional and serious they are. It's easy to sleep or fall down in this type of game. Football is full of surprises. What I asked them before the game was to show how serious we are, how professional, and they showed that."

Maresca's men will look to carry this positive momentum into Sunday's meeting with London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.