Chelsea 1-1 Charlotte FC (3-5 pens): 5 talking points as Sterling makes his Blues bow

Raheem Sterling netted his first Chelsea goal but saw his side beaten 5-3 on penalties by Charlotte FC.

The England winger, signed for £47.5million from Manchester City last week, was among ten changes made by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel at half time, Sterling had a quiet game with his best chance saved at the near post by substitute keeper Pablo Sisniega late on.

It was Christian Pulisic who put Chelsea ahead in the first half in his homeland with a classy finish from close range, lobbing keeper Krisija Kahlina. Charlotte forward Daniel Rios equalised a minute from time from the spot after rookie defender Trevoh Chalobah had handled.

Sterling scored in the subsequent penalty shootout along with Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell. But Conor Gallagher, auditioning for a place in Tuchel’s first-team Chelsea plans this season, missed with an attempted panenka. Former Derby winger Kamil Joswiak, 24, netted the winner to spark jubilant scenes for the home crowd at the Bank of America Stadium.

Here are five talking points from the contest.

A quiet start to life in a Chelsea shirt for Raheem Sterling who enjoyed few touches and even fewer clear cut opportunities against a spirited Charlotte. Two of his better moments came midway through the second half (he came on as part of ten changes at the break). For the first, Sterling powered down the left but his ball into the box lacked accuracy. For the second he traded passes with Kenedy but had his shot blocked.

In his third. Gallagher and Havertz combined to release him down the right. Kenedy raced into the box unmarked but Sterling cheekily tried to squeeze the ball in between the keeper Pablo Sisniega and his near post. Sisniega reacted superbly well with his feet to keep it out.

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