Chelsea Cruises Past Djurgarden In Conference League Semi-Final.
Chelsea has taken a significant step towards reaching the UEFA Conference League final with a commanding 4-1 victory over Swedish side Djurgarden in the semi-final first leg. The win, which saw Nicolas Jackson score a brace, puts Chelsea in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
The match, played at the 3Arena in Stockholm, saw Chelsea dominate proceedings from the outset. Jadon Sancho opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a clinical finish, capitalizing on a brilliant pass from Enzo Fernandez. Noni Madueke doubled the lead just before halftime with a neat finish, showcasing Chelsea’s superior quality.
In the second half, Jackson came off the bench to seal the win with two goals. His first was a tap-in following a defensive mix-up by Djurgarden, while his second was a stunning strike into the top corner. Teenager Isak Alemayehu scored a consolation goal for the hosts with a towering header, but it was too little, too late for Djurgarden.
Chelsea’s Road to the Final
Chelsea’s victory sets up a potential meeting with either Real Betis or Fiorentina in the final, scheduled for May 28 in Wroclaw, Poland. The win also highlights Chelsea’s growing strength in European competitions, with the team boasting an impressive record in UEFA competition semi-finals.
Young Debutant Shines
Chelsea’s win was also notable for the debut of 16-year-old Reggie Walsh, who came on in the 88th minute. Walsh nearly scored his first goal for Chelsea but had his shot clawed away by Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Rinne. The youngster’s introduction adds to Chelsea’s growing reputation for developing talented young players.
Next Steps for Chelsea
Chelsea will look to build on this momentum when they get back into Premier League action on Sunday, May 4, before welcoming Djurgarden to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of the Conference League semi-final on May 8. With their strong performance against Djurgarden, Chelsea will be confident of progressing to the final and adding the Conference League trophy to their collection.