Chelsea became the first team in Champions League history to have three teenagers score in the same game as they overwhelmed a woeful, 10-man Ajax 5-1 at Stamford Bridge. With an average age of 22 years and 163 days, Enzo Maresca's starting XI was the second-youngest by an English side in the competition's history, bettered only by Arsenal against Olympiakos almost 16 years ago.
A wild first half produced five goals and three penalties, with Marc Guiu, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Estevao Willian all on target before the break. Ajax's only response came from Wout Weghorst's spot-kick, and substitute Tyrique George added a fifth shortly after the restart to underline Chelsea's dominance.
Taylor's lunge sets the tone
The match turned irrevocably in the 17th minute when Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor was shown a straight red card for a high, late lunge on Facundo Buonanotte. It was an ugly foul that summed up Ajax's lack of control on the night and left John Heitinga's side a man down for more than 70 minutes.