Thessaloniki (Greece), Sep 21 (IANS) Chelsea defeated PAOK Salonika 1-0 in their opening match of the Europa League football championship.
The contest on Thursday between the resurgent Blues and the team that finished second in the Greek top-flight last year was far more lopsided than the score would indicate, reports Efe.
Despite leaving striker Eden Hazard at home to rest, Chelsea enjoyed 68 percent possession and outshot PAOK 22-4.
Willian, wearing the captain's armband for the first time in an official match, got the game's only goal in the seventh minute. Taking a pass from Ross Barkley, the Brazilian waited for PAOK keeper Alexandros Paschalakis to come off his line before sliding the ball under him and into the net.
The victory leaves Chelsea with three points, the same as BATE Borisov, but the Belarusian club lead Group L on goal difference after beating Vidi FC 2-0.
