GRAHAM POTTER is less than a month into his Chelsea reign but he has already achieved what Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel could not – a win in Italy.
Chelsea had not won in Italy for 19 years before Potter’s side rocked up at the San Siro.
Graham Potter guided Chelsea to a famous win at the San Siro
Jorginho and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were the goalscorers on an historic night
And the Blues had never tasted victory in the famous old ground before tonight.
But from the moment Fikayo Tomori brought down Mason Mount for a 21st-minute penalty, the result did not look in doubt.
Jorginho tucked home the spot-kick and Tomori was sent for an early bath, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang adding a second later in the first half.
Mount was the architect again but credit must go to Potter, who was questioned for resting Aubameyang and a host of other stars in the win over Wolves at the weekend.
Potter arrived at Stamford Bridge with a reputation for playing football that was easy on the eye but Brighton were criticised for lacking killer instinct.
The same cannot be said of his Chelsea side who were professional throughout and never looked like surrendering their lead with the home side registering just one shot in target.
They even kept their cool when another former Blue, Olivier Giroud, tried to provoke a reaction out of Reece James immediately after the penalty.
It is now three wins from four for Potter – a considerable turnaround given Tuchel’s final game was the embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb at the beginning of last month.
Chelsea dominated at the San Siro
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Since then Potter’s side have conceded just two goals and beaten Italian champions Milan twice – by an aggregate scoreline of 5-0.
That is no mean feat, particularly given Chelsea’s shocking record in Italy.
Prior to tonight the Blues had gone seven games without a win in the country – last tasting victory against Lazio under Claudio Ranieri in 2001.
As reigning Champions League champions Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by Juventus in Turin in 2012 before crashing out of the group stages.
Ancelotti took his double-winning side to Inter Milan for a Round of 16 tie in February 2010 and lost 2-1 at the San Siro, having lost the first leg 1-0 at home.
Even under Italian Conte Chelsea fared no better and were thrashed 3-0 by Roma in October 2017.
Potter lacks Champions League experience – he had never even been to a game prior to the visit of RB Salzburg – but you would not think it watching his team.
Chelsea bossed possession and completed more than 700 passes and would have had a third goal had Conor Gallagher found the right side of the net after rounding goalkeeper Ciprian Tătăruşanu.
All in all, a night to remember for Potter and plenty of room for optimism for the West Londoners.
