Sterling service from Raheem as his brace set Chelsea on to 3-0 win over Luton Town

By Paul Lagan at Stamford Bridge

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Chelsea 3 v Luton Town 0

Raheem Sterling was in scintillating form as he cut Luton apart and helped himself to brace of goals to boot as Chelsea recorded their first Premier League win of the season, beating newcomers Luton Town 3-0 at Stamford Bridge tonight.

The winger, 28, has been in imperious form this season but it needed goals to cement his rejuvenation.

He cited over-eating as one of the reasons for last season’s disappointing form and injuries.

With a new intake capacity, it seems to have worked a treat.

The Blues started like they mean business. But there was also bit of swagger about their build up play.

Little flicks, which look great, but when done in the middle of the pitch do not produce ends results in itself.

The Hatters however, already after just a few minutes realised they were going to be in for a long night defending

After seven minutes Thomas Kaminski was on the spot to snaffle a powerful edge-of-the area volley from Raheem Sterling into his midriff.

Some lovely swift counter-attacking took place on 15 minutes involving Levi Colwell, Nicolas Jackson and finally Enzo, which saw the Argentinian shoot inches wide of the Luton goal.

The inevitable came on 17 minutes when another controlled break saw Sterling cut in from the right, zip[ past two Luton players and caress a low, left-footer past the desperate dive of Kaminski to put the Blues 1-0 up.

Luton’s best effort came four minutes from the beat when a near-post corner was met by ex-Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley. But his glancing header just went over Robert Sanchez’s crossbar..

There were no changes by either side at half-time.

A speculative long-range effort Carlton Morris enlivened a dull opening to the second half.

Skipper Ben Chilwell must have had a brain freeze on 49 minutes when he chose to pass rather than shoot when virtually one-on-one with Kaminski, while Jackson forced a good near-post save from the stopper a minute later as the Blues ramped up their attacking prowess.

Luton realising that perhaps they need not be so defensive-minded – had an excellent chance to level on 60 minutes a five-man move saw the ball whipped to into in-running left back Ryan Giles. He effort, on target was well saved by Sanchez.

Another signature quick breakaway by the Blues on 65 minutes almost reaped dividends but final recipient of the ball Sterling took a heavy touch which forced him wider than he would have liked and his.

But it was going to a good night for Sterling and, on 66 minutes, Chelsea toyed with Luton around their penalty area, making space and getting closer to goal all the time. The final pass to Sterling was devastating from Malo Gusto and the England winger swept the ball home from the six-yard box to double the score.

Just when Luton were preparing a triple substitution, Chelsea hit their third.. It was Sterling the provider this time, latching on to a defence-lobbing ball from Enzo. His first time drive into the box was met by the toe of Jackson who steered the ball home.

And that was that.

Teams: Sanchez, Disasi, Silva, Sterling, Enzo, Jackson, Chilwell, Gallagher, Caicedo, Colwill, Gusto

Subs: Bergstrom, Beach, Cucurella, Madueke, Ugochukwu, Maatsen, Burstow, Moreira, Humphreys

Luton: Kaminski, Lockyer, Barkley, Morris, Adebayo, Kabore, Nakamba, Chang, Burke, Giles, Bell

Subs: Krul, Andersen, Ogbene, Berry Woodrow, Mpanzu, Brown, Johnson, Doughty

Referee: Robert Jones

 

Pictured top: Raheem Sterling celebrates his first goal as Chelsea beat Luton Town 3-0 at Stamford Bridge Picture: PA