Tuchel's Kepa gamble pays off

Chelsea have started the season with a title as they won the UEFA Super Cup by beating Villarreal in a penalty shootout.

Kepa Arrizabalaga came on as a substitute in Belfast and denied both Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol to win the tie.

Villarreal are the fourth Spanish team to be beaten by Chelsea on their route to this title including last season's Champions League.

After seeing off Sevilla in the group stage, Atletico Madrid in the last 16 and then Real Madrid in the semi-finals, this completes the set.

Chelsea end that run with 11 goals for and two against, from Karim Benzema and Gerard Moreno.

Villarreal had the chance to win in Belfast, with Alberto Moreno hitting the crossbar and Gerard Moreno's effort clashing against the post thanks to Eduoard Mendy's fingertip svae.

Antonio Rudiger could well have been sent off on the stroke of half time for a forceful challenge on Yeremi Pino, but was shown only a yellow card.

Boulaye Dia impressed on his competitive debut, providing the assist for Gerard Moreno and already beginning to justify the 15 million euros paid to Stade Reims and the five-year contract.

Just like in the Europa League final, penalties were the decisive moment but it was Chelsea substitute Kepa who came on to win the competition by denying Raul Albiol.

Tuchel gambled by bringing him on with less than 60 seconds left, but it paid off.