Chelsea laboured to an unconvincing 2-0 win over Servette in the first leg of their Conference League play-off at Stamford Bridge, second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke sufficient to give Enzo Maresca’s side the lead in the tie.
It was the Italian head coach’s second game in charge but already signs of discontent were heard from home supporters, who booed the team off at the end of a first half in which they failed to muster a serious attacking threat against the side currently fifth in the Swiss league table.
It took Nkunku’s 50th-minute penalty, won thanks to the game’s first genuinely incisive pass played by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, to finally break down Servette, who had coped defensively with relative ease until that point and might have taken the lead through winger Dereck Kutesa.
Get in there! 💪#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/I4PtUXLB9N
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 22, 2024
Madueke came off the bench to score Chelsea’s second and hand them a healthy lead ahead of the return leg in Geneva next Thursday.
Maresca made nine changes to the team that lost to Manchester City on Sunday with only Moises Caicedo, who captained the team for the first time, and Nkunku remaining.
That meant full debuts for six summer signings, amongst them striker Marc Guiu who was inches from opening the scoring in the second minute, rounding the goalkeeper from fellow full debutant Dewsbury-Hall’s through pass but failing to reach the ball before it squirmed from his reach behind the goal.
Servette carried their own threat and broke through Chelsea’s lines when Kutesa played a one-two inside the box with Keigo Tsunemoto before streaking past Axel Disasi and striking a low effort that was deflected away by goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea were relying heavily on their two wide forwards, Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto, but though both were frequently on the ball, neither player provided the delivery or penetration necessary to find a way in behind Servette.
There was more success when Mudryk tried to cut inside. Guiu held the ball up well for him midway through the first half giving the Ukrainian room to shoot, but he dragged his shot tamely wide of the post.
Nkunku sought a more central route through, intercepting a loose pass and charging through the middle to feed Mudryk, who slipped it wide for Neto to come inside and shoot left footed. His effort lacked bite and landed cleanly in the arms of Jeremy Frick, encapsulating Chelsea’s first-half labours.
One and a half matches into Maresca’s tenure, the team left the pitch to a smattering of jeers from home fans.
Chelsea’s play had been breaking down in wide positions, but in the second minute after the interval Dewsbury-Hall sought to play directly down the middle, finding the run of Nkunku who reached the ball before Frick and, though heading away from goal, was brought down. From the resulting penalty, he fired calmly into the corner for 1-0.
Guiu made a horrendous mess of an open goal, before Maresca sent on Cole Palmer in search of a creative glint.
Instead it was two other second-half substitutes who provided the goal, Enzo Fernandez launching the ball up the right wing for Madueke to streak onto it and lash the ball in at the near post to settle nerves.
Jorgensen saved well to his right from Jeremy Guillemenot after Chelsea gave the ball away in defence, before Tiemoko Ouattara cracked the bar as Chelsea survived gratefully with their two-goal lead in tact.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
