Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired Chelsea to a narrow 1-0 win as they edge closer to silverware with a Conference League semi-final win against Djurgarden.
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- Chelsea won 5-1 on aggregate
- Dewsbury-Hall sealed the tie in the first half itself
- Back in a European final for the first time since 2021
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- AFP
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Chelsea booked their place in the final of the European competition with minimal resistance from Swedish outfit Djurgarden, securing another victory at Stamford Bridge to follow up their commanding 4-1 win from the first leg. The second leg proved to be a formality, with the Blues controlling the tempo and the territory from the opening whistle.
Manager Enzo Maresca once again placed his trust in the club’s younger stars, opting to rest key senior figures such as Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson. Despite fielding a relatively youthful line-up, Chelsea never looked in danger, and their opponents struggled to make any headway.
The breakthrough came just before half-time when Chelsea’s dominance finally paid off. In the 38th minute, Tyrique George unlocked the Djurgarden backline with a sublime pass. His through ball found Dewsbury-Hall in stride, and the midfielder finished with aplomb, driving his effort low into the corner after it kissed the inside of the post. The goal effectively ended any remaining hope the visitors had of mounting a miraculous comeback. With the aggregate score standing at 5-1, Chelsea were able to coast through the remainder of the contest.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea’s journey to the final has been nothing short of dominant. They navigated the league phase with a perfect record, winning every match and scoring 30 goals while conceding just six. That incredible form translated into a goal difference of +24 by the time the group stage ended.
Their momentum continued in the knockout rounds. A comfortable 3-1 aggregate win over Copenhagen in the round of 16 set the tone. Against Legia Warsaw, Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win away from home, which proved decisive even though they were unexpectedly beaten 2-1 in the return leg at Stamford Bridge. Across all matches in the competition, Chelsea have scored 42 goals and conceded only 10 — a remarkable feat that highlights their dominance.
- AFP
THE MVP
The standout performer on the night was undoubtedly Dewsbury-Hall. His first-half strike sealed the tie, but it was his all-round display that caught the eye. The midfielder was involved in every phase of Chelsea’s attacking play, linking up well with teammates and carving open the Djurgarden defence multiple times.
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THE BIG LOSER
On the other hand, it was a night to forget for Jadon Sancho. The Manchester United loanee was handed another chance to make an impression but struggled to impose himself. Barring a few provocative runs on the flanks, it was another flat performance from the winger until he was replaced by Genesis Antwi.