Graham Potter, the manager of Chelsea, was overjoyed to have his team go to the round of 16 of the Champions League with one game remaining after a 2-1 victory away at Salzburg.
After Junior Adamu had cancelled off Mateo Kovacic's opening goal for the Blues, Kai Havertz scored a remarkable goal 26 minutes later that proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Chelsea's nine-game unbeaten streak under Potter was increased with the victory.
After Thomas Tuchel's final match in charge concluded in a 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb to open Group E, the former Brighton manager was named at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had a lot to climb after Potter's first game as manager ended in a 1-1 draw at home to the Austrian champions.
But back-to-back victories over AC Milan put their European campaign back on track and another win opens up an unassailable four-point lead over Salzburg.
Anything other than a victory for Dinamo Zagreb over AC Milan later on Tuesday will also guarantee the top spot in the group for the 2021 European champions.
“That was a fantastic performance from the players,” said Potter.
“I’m delighted to go through with a game to spare considering where we started the competition.”
Chelsea’s bright start under Potter has been undermined by failing to turn their approach play into goals and that was the case once more in a dominant first 45 minutes.
Salzburg had not suffered defeat in their first four Champions League games of the season but was grateful to goalkeeper Philipp Kohn for keeping the score down before the break.
Kovacic’s fine strike into the top corner gave Kohn no chance as he opened the scoring in 23 minutes.
But the German stopper won a personal duel with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with three stunning saves to deny the former Arsenal captain.
Havertz’s quality counts
Havertz also had a header from close range parried by Kohn as Chelsea clicked into an attacking rhythm rarely seen during Potter’s first two months in charge.
The English side looked like they may live to regret not taking those chances as Salzburg equalised four minutes into the second half when Adamu converted Maximilian Wober’s teasing cross in behind the Chelsea defence.
However, the visitors immediately responded as Kohn rushed out to deny Aubameyang once more before Adamu cleared Jorginho’s header off the line from a corner.
Chelsea finally got the second goal their performance deserved when Havertz cushioned Christian Pulisic’s pass into his path before curling in off the underside of the crossbar.
“It makes my job a lot easier when they can do that,” added Potter on just Havertz’s third goal of the season.
“He has been fighting and trying his best, for him to score that and help us through is fantastic.
“His quality is there, he’s an incredibly talented player. He’s been nearly there. Scoring a goal like that is bound to help.
“I wouldn’t know, I couldn’t score a goal like that, but it’s a fantastic strike and an indication of his quality.”
But Potter’s men had to withstand a late onslaught from Salzburg to hold out for all three points.
The in-form Kepa Arrizabalaga was forced to fly low to his left to turn Benjamin Sesko’s effort behind.
Kepa is finally beginning to deliver on his price tag as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.
But the Spaniard was bailed out by Thiago Silva’s goal-line clearance after he was beaten to a cross by Strahinja Pavlovic.
AFP