Chelsea placed one foot firmly in the Europa Conference League final after a commanding 4-1 victory over Swedish side Djurgården in the first leg of their semi-final tie in Stockholm on Thursday night. Substitute Nicolas Jackson scored twice after first-half goals from Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke.
With a crucial Premier League clash against champions Liverpool looming on Sunday and aiming for a top-five finish, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made eight changes to his starting lineup. The rotation did little to disrupt the Blues’ rhythm, however, as they dominated proceedings at the 3Arena.
Despite a vibrant pre-match display from the home fans, Jadon Sancho silenced them in the 12th minute. Enzo Fernández found the winger at the back post, and Sancho chested the ball down before finishing, aided by a deflection off defender Marcus Danielson. Chelsea controlled possession and chances, doubling their lead two minutes before halftime when Fernández played Noni Madueke through, who finished sharply at the near post.
Maresca introduced more first-team regulars, including Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, at the break. Jackson made an immediate impact, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to make it 3-0 just before the hour mark, assisted by Palmer. The Senegal striker added his second, and Chelsea’s fourth, six minutes later with an excellent finish into the top corner from the edge of the box after good work from Moisés Caicedo.
Djurgården gave their vocal supporters something to cheer in the 68th minute when 18-year-old substitute Isak Alemayehu scored his first senior goal with a downward header from Tobias Gulliksen’s cross. Chelsea debutant Reggie Walsh, 16, almost added a fifth late on.
The comfortable victory gives Chelsea a huge advantage heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Thursday (May 8th). They remain strong favourites to reach the final in Wrocław, Poland on May 28th, where they would face either Real Betis or Fiorentina (Betis lead 2-1 after their first leg). Winning the competition would make Chelsea the first club to have won the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League. The evening was further boosted by Nottingham Forest’s Premier League defeat to Brentford, aiding Chelsea’s push for a top-five finish.
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