Chelsea crush AC Milan to revitalise their Champions League chances

Reece James' thunderbolt strike put the seal on Graham Potter’s first Stamford Bridge win as Chelsea boss as the Blues thumped AC Milan 3-0 to revitalise their Champions League campaign.

James’ finish capped a fine Blues victory, with the England wing-back also teeing up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for his second goal in as many games.

Wesley Fofana opened the scoring, tapping home after Thiago Silva’s powerful header, only to hobble out in the first half with a potential leg injury.

Chelsea leapfrogged Milan into second place in Group E on goal difference by registering their first win in their third Champions League encounter this term.

New manager Potter might have got off the mark on the win front in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace but the former Brighton boss was still hunting a landmark performance and result to stamp his authority on Stamford Bridge proceedings.

And when James rifled home the third goal, that ultimate aim of quality amid victory was fully assured.

Potter’s first Blues outing ended in a mixed 1-1 Champions League draw with RB Salzburg on September 14 but already the Solihull-born coach’s methods look to be bearing fruit.

Mason Mount’s low strike forced a solid save from Ciprian Tatarusanu to open the night.

Chelsea’s major early threat came from set-pieces, and Silva powered in two headers that proved important range-finders against his former club.

The ageless Brazil centre-back then thundered in a third header, forcing a parry from Tatarusanu and leaving Fofana to sweep Chelsea into the lead.

Mount chipped home to cap a fine move after Aubameyang’s dinked pass, only for the effort to be chalked off for offside.

Fikayo Tomori was booked for dissent on his Stamford Bridge return, the