Following a first half we dominated, and in which Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall twice came closest to breaking the deadlock, Enzo Maresca’s men ensured our superiority was reflected by the scoreline after the break.

George pounced on a loose ball in the box four minutes into the second period to convert from close range. The joy on his face underlined what a special moment it was for the Academy graduate.

It was 2-0 shortly afterwards, substitute Noni Madueke converting Jadon Sancho’s pass with a fine finish. Christopher Nkunku then had a penalty saved, but we immediately extended our advantage through Madueke’s second, Sancho again the supplier.

This was another excellent evening’s work in the Conference League as we made light work of the passionate home support in the Polish capital. The second leg at Stamford Bridge is a week today.

Team news

Enzo Maresca made changes in goal, defence, midfield and attack, five in total. As promised, Filip Jorgensen started between the posts, and ahead of him Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile came into the back four.

George and Cole Palmer were the other fresh faces, joining Sancho and Nkunku in attack. The midfield comprised captain Reece James and Dewsbury-Hall.

As expected, a fervent atmosphere and an eye-catching display behind one goal greeted the players’ entry to the pitch. The noise did not relent all evening.

The Blues negotiated a couple of early corners and then threatened for the first time from one of our own, keeping the ball alive in the six-yard box but not fashioning a shooting opportunity.

Dominance met with determined defending

If one of the challenges facing Chelsea was handling the atmosphere, sustained spells of possession in the opening quarter suggested it was not phasing us. Our youngest players Acheampong and George were notably assured, driving us forward.

Legia sat behind the ball, content to let us have it until we approached their box. On one such occasion, Acheampong broke the lines and then picked out Palmer, whose shot was blocked. The ball rebounded to Dewsbury-Hall on the edge of the box, and it needed a fine diving save from Kacper Tobiasz to tip his bending strike around the post.

Set-pieces looked a good avenue to try and break the massed ranks of white shirts down. From one played short to Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile won the first contact with a towering header. Nkunku was not far away from turning in the loose ball.

A well-worked move in the only additional minute of a first half Chelsea had entirely dominated ended with Dewsbury-Hall heading Nkunku’s flighted centre wide.

Maresca replaced Tosin and Palmer with Colwill and Madueke for the second half. George now led the attack, with Nkunku in the no.10 position and Sancho switching to the left.

George's big moment

The changes paid immediate dividends. A bouncing ball sat up invitingly for James to strike from distance, and his effort was too hot for Tobiasz to handle. George reacted quickest, but still had work to do. His finish made it look easy, perfectly placed across the keeper on his left.

Seven minutes later we doubled our lead. Having stolen possession high up the pitch, Sancho advanced into the area before picking out Madueke, who sent Tobiasz the wrong way with a clever effort.

Marc Cucurella then replaced James. Acheampong moved into midfield. Chelsea kept our foot on the accelerator, a threat every time we went forward now. Sancho and Nkunku had shots saved, Cucurella one blocked, and Dewsbury-Hall flashed a volley over.

Madueke makes his mark again

We were awarded a penalty with 20 minutes remaining, although it wasn’t entirely clear if it was for a foul on Nkunku or Dewsbury-Hall. Dewsbury-Hall's was certainly inside the box, whereas Nkunku's looked outside. It was Nkunku who stepped up with Palmer off the pitch, but Tobiasz guessed right and saved. It mattered not. Just 25 seconds later, Sancho danced into the box and squared for Madueke to convert from a couple of yards out.

Shimmy Mhueka and Mathis Amougou were given a quarter-of-an-hour as the Blues played out the closing stages with the minimum of fuss, Filip Jorgensen only called into meaningful action for the first time in the final minute. We have more than one foot in the semi-finals.

What’s next…

The Blues return to London ahead of a home Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town on Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Chelsea(4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin (Colwill h/t), Badiashile, Gusto (Amougou 75); James (c) (Cucurella 59), Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Palmer (Madueke h/t), George (Mhueka 75); Nkunku

Unused subs: Sanchez, Chalobah, Rak-Sakyi, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto

Scorers George 49, Madueke 57, 74

Legia Warsaw (4-3-3): Tobiasz; Wszolek (Kun 53), Pankov, Kapuadi, Ruben Vinagre; Oyedele (Szczepaniak 82), Augustyniak (c), Elitim (Goncalves 75); Chodyna (Bichakhchyan 82), Morishita, Luquinhas (Peckhart 75)

Unused subs: Mendes, Kovacevic, Barcia, Mozie, Olewinski

Referee Serdar Gozubuyuk from the Netherlands

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