Chelsea Thrash Djurgården to All But Seal Europa Conference League Final Spot
Chelsea delivered a statement performance in Stockholm, dismantling Swedish hopefuls Djurgården 4-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final clash and all but booking their ticket to the final.
It didn’t take long for the Blues to stamp their authority. On just 12 minutes, winger Jadon Sancho opened the scoring with a composed finish after a flowing team move. Noni Madueke doubled the advantage just before half-time with a clinical strike that left the home side reeling.
After the break, Nicolas Jackson took center stage, netting twice in quick succession—on the 59th and 65th minutes—as Chelsea ran riot in the Swedish capital. His sharp movement and lethal finishing proved too much for Djurgården's back line to handle.
The hosts found a brief glimmer of hope through Isak Alemayehu, who scored in the 68th minute to give the home crowd something to cheer about. But the damage had already been done.
With a three-goal lead heading into the return leg at Stamford Bridge on May 8, Chelsea now sit comfortably in the driver’s seat as they eye a place in the final of the inaugural Europa Conference League campaign.
2024-25, Conference League
Djurgårdens - Chelsea 1:4 (0:2)
Goals: Sancho, 12 (0:1); Madueke, 43 (0:2); Jackson N., 59 (0:3); Jackson N., 65 (0:4); Alemayehu, 68 (1:4)
Djurgårdens: Rinne; Danielson (Tenho, 64); Kosugi Keita (Bergh V., 80); Larsson J.; Stahl; Stensson; Finndell; Gulliksen; Nguen T.; Priske; Haarala (Alemayehu, 63)
Bench: Croon; Atlee
Yellow Cards: Gulliksen 90
Chelsea: Jörgensen F.; Adarabioyo; Acheampong J. K.; Badiashile B.; James R. (Caicedo M., 46); Cucurella (Chalobah, 46); Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke (Jackson N., 46); Fernandez E. (Palmer Co., 46); George (Walsh R., 88); Sancho
Bench: Bergström; Curd; Gusto; Colwill; Amougou; Mheuka; Pedro Neto
Yellow Cards: Caicedo M. 82; Adarabioyo 90
