Chelsea Football Club has a proud and eventful history.
To mark the 120th anniversary of the club’s founding on March 10, 1905, in the upstairs room of The Rising Sun pub across the road from Stamford Bridge, The Athletic has identified a defining match from every decade of the club’s existence. Some are glorious, others are tinged with disappointment.
Chelsea’s first competitive home game at Stamford Bridge marked the beginning of their journey in English football. A dominant performance set the tone for their rapid rise.
The club’s first-ever FA Cup final, played in front of soldiers during WWI, ended in disappointment but was a major milestone in Chelsea’s history.
A crushing defeat that symbolized Chelsea’s struggles and eventual relegation from the First Division.
A record crowd of 82,905 at Stamford Bridge for a league match, the highest ever attendance for any Chelsea game.
A legendary friendly match against Soviet champions Dynamo Moscow that saw unprecedented crowd numbers and international football diplomacy.
A Peter Sillett penalty secured Chelsea’s first-ever First Division title, marking their arrival as a major force in English football.
A thrilling victory in Chelsea’s first-ever knockout competition triumph, featuring an incredible solo goal from Eddie McCreadie.
Chelsea’s first European trophy, secured after a replay in Athens, with goals from John Dempsey and Peter Osgood.
A crucial match that sealed Chelsea’s return to the top flight, with Kerry Dixon’s hat-trick sparking wild celebrations.
Roberto Di Matteo’s 43-second screamer helped Chelsea end a 26-year trophy drought and ushered in a new era of success.
Jesper Gronkjaer’s goal secured Champions League qualification, leading to Roman Abramovich’s takeover, which transformed the club forever.
The greatest night in Chelsea’s history as Didier Drogba’s heroics and Petr Cech’s saves won Chelsea their first Champions League title.
Kai Havertz’s penalty completed Chelsea’s full set of major trophies in the final match of the Abramovich era.
Each of these matches played a crucial role in Chelsea’s evolution, from a new club in 1905 to one of the world’s biggest football powerhouses today.
