At least one of these two teams was going to drop their first points of the league stage in this season's Conference League this evening, and it turned out to be the home side in Germany, meaning Chelsea remain top of the table and are now guaranteed at least a play-off spot.

The first half ended goalless, with Heidenheim keeper Kevin Muller repeatedly frustrating the Blues, but that changed quickly after the break, when Nkunku continued his excellent form in this competition by punishing the Germans' hesitant defending with a ruthless finish.

Heidenheim made us work hard for our victory before the end, with one impressive double-save by Filip Jorgensen proving it wasn't all smooth sailing for the Blues, but once Mudryk had smashed a brilliant shot into the top corner late on there was no longer any doubt all the points would be coming back to London, despite Cesare Casadei's dismissal for a second yellow card with just seconds left of added time.

The selection

Benoit Badiashile was the only player to retain his place from the win at Leicester City, as Enzo Maresca opted for the same back five as our last Conference League match against Noah. Jorgensen was between the posts as Badiashile partnered Tosin Adarabioyo in the middle of the defence, Renato Veiga and captain Axel Disasi the full-backs.

Kieran Dewsbury-Hall and Casadei lined up in midfield, the latter making his third senior start for the Blues. Marc Guiu led the attack, as he did against Noah. Jadon Sancho - making his first start since last month's trip to Liverpool - and Mudryk came in on the flanks, with Nkunku slotting in as the No10.

Taking time to settle

Chelsea kicked off on a frigid evening in southern Germany, with the home supporters creating a raucous atmosphere in what some had dubbed as the biggest match in Heidenheim’s history.

It was the home side who did much of the early attacking, backed by that crowd, with a Leo Scienza free-kick delivery from the right momentarily causing concern for Jorgensen and the Chelsea defence, but we came through unscathed.

Once we got on the ball and began to take control of possession, the corner of travelling Chelsea fans behind Jorgensen’s goal began to make themselves heard.

It wasn’t long before the Heidenheim keeper Muller was called into action for the first time, but Guiu was stretching to get on the end of Veiga’s long ball over the top and couldn’t generate enough power to trouble him. The young Spaniard had three more glimpses soon afterwards, all in quick succession following good work by Nkunku, but he was under pressure and couldn’t beat Muller.

Keepers kept busy

We had to remain alert against any momentary lapses at the back, though, as shown by Jorgensen needing a strong hand to save Paul Wanner’s snapshot when Heidenheim managed to work the ball into our penalty area.

The ball was soon back up the other end with Guiu testing Muller in the Heidenheim goal yet again, before Jorgensen had to be quick off his line to smother a low cross, in a game which was beginning to open up.

That theme continued when Dewsbury-Hall unleashed a powerful effort towards the bottom corner from outside the box, but once more Muller was able to get across and turn it around the post. Moments later an equally fierce strike from Wanner had Jorgensen palming over the bar.

It briefly looked like we would have our chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot, when Mudryk went down as he burst into the box between two defenders and the referee blew his whistle. However, VAR advised the ref to review his decision on the pitchside monitor, the end result being a revised verdict of no penalty.

That left us with 10 minutes left of the first half and the deadlock unbroken. Nkunku went close to changing that after weaving through four defenders in the box, only to be denied by Muller once more, and then right on the verge of half-time Tosin couldn’t direct his volley on target after being found by an excellent Dewsbury-Hall set-piece.

Breakthrough arrives

It only took six minutes of second-half football for Chelsea to find the opening goal, though. Who else could the scorer be but Nkunku, who maintained his record of finding the net in every Conference League match this season.

It came from a Sancho cross from the right side of the box, which Heidenheim’s defenders were unable to clear. That allowed Nkunku to step in and quickly make space for the shot, firing past Muller and inside the left-hand post.

Job not done yet

Heidenheim responded with a double substitution and Jorgensen showed good reactions to get down to his right and hold when Scienza smashed a loose ball low at goal, and then again when newcomer Sirlord Conteh drove dangerously across goal.

Lennard Maloney then wasn’t too far wide with a curling effort from the left as the Germans attempted to fight back after going behind. We were grateful to our Danish keeper for a brilliant double save, first high to deny Scienza from point-blank range and then getting down low to Wanner’s follow-up.

We were holding steady at the back, though, while looking for opportunities to extend our lead with quick breakaways. That nearly paid off on one beautiful move of quick, slick passing which started almost on our own goal-line and ended with Joao Felix playing in Nkunku, but Muller continued to frustrate our efforts with another good save.

Late twists

The Heidenheim supporters were briefly celebrating when Maximilian Breunig headed past Jorgensen and into the back of the net, but the flag went up for offside immediately and our one-goal lead remained intact going into the final 10 minutes.

Instead, it was the Blues supporters who ended the game singing, after Mudryk made the result safe late on with a stunning strike. Heidenheim probably didn't feel much danger as the ball rolled across the edge of the penalty area, but our winger met it perfectly to smash an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

From there the result was no longer in doubt, despite another Heidenheim goal being ruled out for offside and Casadei being sent off for a second yellow card in the last minute of added time, meaning it is Chelsea who now have four wins from as many games in this stage of the Conference League.

What it means

Chelsea remain top of the Conference League standings with a maximum 12 points after four games, and two remaining. We are also now guaranteed a spot in the knockout round play-offs, while being in prime position to claim one of the top eight spots to progress directly to the last 16.

What is next

Attention returns to domestic action with a pair of Premier League fixtures over the next week. That starts at Stamford Bridge, with Aston Villa the visitors for a 1.30pm kick-off on Sunday, before the Blues travel to Southampton at 7.30pm next Wednesday.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Disasi (c), Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall (Rak-Sakyi 90+2); Sancho (George 90+2), Nkunku (Chukwuemeka 76), Mudryk; Guiu (Joao Felix 62)
Unused subs: Bergstrom, Sanchez, Colwill, Dyer, Madueke, Mheuka
Scorers: Nkunku 51, Mudryk 86
Booked: Badiashile 1, Casadei 45, 90+7, Jorgensen 81, Veiga 84
Sent off: Casadei 90+7

Heidenheim (4-2-3-1): Muller; Traore (Breunig 68), Mainka (c), Siersleben, Theuerkauf; Dorsch (Schoppner 57), Maloney (Beck 68); Scienza, Wanner, Honsak (Conteh 57); Kaufmann (Gimber 78)
Unused subs: Eicher, Feller, Busch, Fohrenbach, Kerber, Negele, Janes
Booked: Traore 42, Wanner 85

Referee: Serdar Gozubuyuk