Chelsea scraped through to Conference League group stages after a 3-2 aggregate victory despite a 2-1 defeat in Servette.
The Blues won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge a week ago and things looked to be going further to plan when Christopher Nkunku buried a penalty to hand them a three-goal lead in the tie, seemingly opening up an unassailable advantage in Chelsea’s bid to reach the competition’s league phase for the first time.
But they were given an almighty fright by the team currently seventh in the Swiss League by two goals that gave the game a wholly different complexion, first Jeremy Guillemenot striking low beyond Filip Jorgensen to level the match on the night before Enzo Crivelli came off the bench to head Servette into the lead and leave Chelsea sweating.
Defeat on the night but the Blues are through on aggregate. 💪#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/rzWAmoOqA0
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 29, 2024
They had gone close early through a 30-yard bullet from Enzo Fernandez, tipped brilliantly around the post by goalkeeper Joel Mall, before taking the lead on the night and, at that stage, seemingly ending the tie as a contest after 14 minutes.
Mykhailo Mudryk was given room to break into the penalty area down the left, and as he sought to nick the ball around Keigo Tsunemoto the defender stuck out a stray leg and sent Mudryk to the ground. Nkunku repeated his feat from the first leg and with a composed strike into the corner stuck Chelsea in front from 12 yards.
Servette clawed their way back to within two goals on aggregate on the half-hour mark. Dereck Kutesa drove through the heart of midfield and having beaten three Chelsea players slid the ball right to Guillemenot who took it in his stride and angled a shot across Jorgensen and in.
Nkunku almost restored the lead immediately, getting on the end of Renato Veiga’s through ball but was thwarted by Mall as he raced from goal to meet him. It was one of a number of smart saves made by Mall in the first half, with Noni Madueke also denied by a fine smothering block after going clean through.
Jorgensen saved from Kutesa in the final moments of the half as Servette threatened to reignite the tie before half-time.
Chelsea contained their hosts well until 18 minutes from time but received a shock when substitute Crivelli got on the end of Miroslav Stevanovic’s cross to head past Jorgensen and set up a nervous finale.
Nicolas Jackson was denied a strong left from foot Mall in stoppage time as Chelsea sought to salvage the result on the night.
[(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...
