Chelsea overcome Inter on penalties

Chelsea got off to the perfect start after only seven minutes - birthday boy Pedro tapped home after Samir Handanovic parried a cross into his path. It was a cross that came after good work from Alvaro Morata, who played well and seemingly put the disappointment of not going to the World Cup with Spain behind him.

Maurizio Sarri will be pleased with what he saw from his side in the first half, they were utterly dominant. Inter were unable to attack and Chelsea, in a luminous yellow kit, were encamped on the edge of their box.

However, after the break Luciano Spalletti had a lot more to smile about. Inter were level within four minutes of the restart. Roberto Gagliardini fired past Caballero - in goal with Thibaut Courtois still on a post-World Cup break - and the Italians were back in the game.

Unfortunately for the fans watching, the action appeared to stop there. As is the case with many pre-season games, there were a host of substitutions and the game lost its rhythm. Both goalkeepers pulled off spectacular saves in the dying minutes to preserve parity, but the game was to be settled in a shootout.

The first six players dispatched their penalties perfectly, but it was Skriniar who had the misfortune to miss with Inter’s fourth spot kick to put his side behind. Chelsea prevailed two kicks later, Cesar Azpilicueta netting the winning penalty.

Both managers will be pleased with what they saw from their teams. The main task for them now will be to produce the performances they saw in flashes over a full 90 minutes before the competitive games begin.