Chelsea kicked off their pre-season preparations in style as goals either side of half time from Estevao and Joao Pedro secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
A dominant start from the Blues was rewarded on 18 minutes when Cole Palmer rattled the crossbar with a looping effort, as the ball fell kindly to Estevao, who found the net from close range on his Chelsea debut.
The West Londoners nearly added a second through summer signing Liam Delap, as the forward's shot drew a brilliant save from goalkeeper Mark Flekken. The Dutch shot stopper was called into action just moments later from the resulting corner, this time keeping out right-back Malo Gusto.
Chelsea continued to dominate in the second half with Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato both coming close. However, in the closing stages of the game, Joao Pedro, who scored in the Club World Cup final, picked out the bottom corner to end a comfortable night of football from Enzo Maresca's men.
Story of the Match
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca handed a debut to new recruit Estevao whilst Liam Delap made his first start at Stamford Bridge having featured for the Blues at the Club World Cup.
Trevoh Chalobah partnered Josh Acheampong at the back with Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto taking up the full back roles. Andrey Santos and Enzo Fernandez started in the middle of the park with Tyrique George handed a start on the wing.
Meanwhile, for Bayer Leverkusen, manager Erik Ten Hag handed starts to summer signings Mark Flekken and Jarell Quansah, who joined from Brentford and Liverpool respectively with Piero Hincapie and Edmond Tapsoba making up the back three. Czech forward Patrik Schick led the line for the Bundesliga outfit.
The home side made a strong start to proceedings as Estevao forayed into the penalty area before his cross fell into the path of Cucurella, whose effort was blocked. The young Brazilian was involved once again, combining brilliantly with Cole Palmer but was denied by some solid Leverkusen defending.
Chelsea continued to test the Leverkusen goal as a first time strike on the edge of the box from Gusto was put over the bar, before an audacious volley from Caicedo was comfortable for Flekken. Not long later, George played a wonderful ball down the line to Cucurella, who crossed towards Delap, but could only fire straight at the goalkeeper.
However, 18 minutes into the first half, Chelsea's patience was rewarded with the opening goal. Cucurella delivered the ball into the middle towards Palmer, whose looping effort crashed back off the crossbar, with Estevao on hand to put home the rebound for his first goal for the club.
The Blues were very much in full flow and almost added a swift second when Delap latched onto a brilliant cross from George, but the former Ipswich striker saw his shot saved by Flekken. The resulting corner fell to Gusto at the backpost, who saw his effort saved.
Meanwhile, up the other end, Bayer Leverkusen threatened for the first time when a Alejandro Grimaldo free-kick was straight at Filip Jorgensen. But Chelsea remained in control of proceedings as Estevao's free-kick fell to Chalobah, but the defender was denied by the goalkeeper.
Six minutes before the break, Grimaldo was involved once more for the visitors, as a threatening free-kick from the Spaniard was pushed away by Jorgensen. Estevao then came close to scoring his second of the game after latching onto an excellent through ball from George, as the Brazilian cut in on his left before being denied by Flekken.
Chelsea started the second half how they ended the first and dominated in possession. Their first real chance of the half came when Gusto played a perfectly timed ball into Estevao, as the Brazilian failed to find the target before George blazed his effort off-target not long after.
Leverkusen then came close when Ibrahim Maza capitalised on a slip from Acheampong before finding Schick in the middle, but the forward's shot was blocked by Tosin Adarabioyo. Midway through the second half, substitute Jamie Gittens pushed forward down the left side for Chelsea before picking out Estevao in the middle, who put his shot inches wide.
However, as the match headed towards the latter stages, the chances were very few and far between for both sides but it was Chelsea that seemed the more likely to score. With less than 15 minutes to go, Joao Pedro fired a shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Moments later, Reece James played the ball down the right to Pedro Neto, as he cut in on his left before striking an effort towards goal, but Flekken was alert to the danger. Debutant Jorrel Hato almost got in on the act for the Blues when his powerful drive was put wide of the target.
Meanwhile, late in the game, a long ball upfield from Flekken fell to Victor Boniface, as the Nigerian striker took a touch before volleying off-target. However, in the final minute of the game, Genesis Antwi forayed into the box, as crossed the ball into the middle towards Joao Pedro, who slotted home to wrap up the victory for Chelsea.
Player of the Match - Estevao
18-year-old Brazilian Estevao certainly left a lasting impression on his debut with some dazzling footwork and blistering pace that impressed the home supporters. He marked the occasion as well by being in the right place at the right time to find the back of the net.