Chelsea will play in the Conference League final on May 28 after they beat Djurgarden 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to round off a 5-1 aggregate victory.
It was a measure of this most unusual European season, in which Enzo Maresca’s side have coasted to the showpiece in the Polish city of Wroclaw using largely their second string and swatting aside teams from Armenia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Ireland, that 10 players were left out from Sunday’s win over Liverpool and a full debut was handed to 16-year-old midfielder Reggie Walsh.
The academy graduate, who became Chelsea’s third youngest-ever player in Stockholm a week ago, is yet to sit his GCSEs but starting in Cole Palmer’s usual number 10 role he gave a schooling to Djurgarden with some lovely touches of the ball that hinted at what might lie ahead.
A European final awaits! ✊#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/GRl6AqVJU0
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 8, 2025
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a relative veteran at 26, got the only goal of the second leg, pinging the ball in off the post in the 38th minute after an incisive pass from Tyrique George, another academy graduate who looked every bit at home on the European stage.
Rafael Benitez, who delivered the Europa League in 2013 during his interim spell at Stamford Bridge, was in attendance. Maresca may shortly join him in delivering European silverware at the end of his first season in west London.
The Italian could afford the luxury of leaving out most of his first-choice XI, no doubt with Sunday’s crunch meeting with Newcastle at St. James’ Park in mind. Qualification for the Champions League remains his principal goal and given the roughly 3,000 empty seats at Stamford Bridge and that plenty had departed before the final whistle, that sentiment towards UEFA’s fledgling third competition seemed shared.
There were no chances of note until the 27th minute when Dewsbury-Hall’s shot from the edge of the box was saved after clever footwork from George.
The 18-year-old, already with two Chelsea goals to his name, then linked up via a deft one-two with Walsh down the left and struck low across goal, goalkeeper Jacob Rinne’s outstretched boot deflecting the ball clear of danger.
There was a new role for Marc Cucurella, starting the game in the centre of midfield and bringing measure and calibration to the team, a reminder once more of the pivotal role the once-maligned left-back now plays after a transformative season.
Indeed there has been much change and improvement at Chelsea in recent months, and shortly before the break Dewsbury-Hall gave a glimpse of how far he personally has come since his difficult early weeks after arriving from Leicester.
George played the pass beautifully into Dewsbury-Hall’s path, and after a few assured steps to move past the defence and make space the ball was dispatched coolly against the inside of the post and in.
George might have made it a perfect night in the second half but somehow contrived to miss spectacularly from almost on the goal line from Jadon Sancho’s cross.
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Forward Kosuke Kinoshita has scored 6 goals for the team so far this season and is the top scorer of the team. He is still the best choice to start in this game.2. Sanfrecce Hiroshima drew 0-0 with Shimizu S-Pulse in their last game, ending their winning streak. However, the team have achieved an unbeaten record of 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 matches, sho...
[(Mallorca) Strength]: 1. Mallorca finished 10th in La Liga last season. This season, there have been few changes in their squad, and they have the potential to challenge for a place in European competitions. Facing FC Barcelona, despite knowing there is a gap in strength, Mallorca are striving to earn points and keep unbeaten, so they are motivated.2. Mallorca have signed new players in the summe...
[(Tottenham Hotspur F.C.) Strength]: 1. This time playing at home, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. are determined to win and secure a victorious start to the new season, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. underwent significant changes during the offseason, appointing Thomas Frank as their new head coach while bolstering the squad with quality signings including Mohammed Kud...
[(Sunderland A.F.C.) Strength]: 1. This is the first round of the new season's league. Sunderland A.F.C., playing at home, are determined to strive for a win to secure a good start. Their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda both scored double-digit goals in the league last season. In the new season, the two will still be important attacking forces for the team.3. S...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal are playing at home in the first game of the new season in the league and surely hope to have a good start. Their fighting spirit is very strong.2. Ayoze Perez scored 19 goals for Villarreal in the league last season, demonstrating an outstanding individual performance.3. During the off-season, Villarreal signed midfielders Alberto Moleiro, Tajon Buchanan and...
[(Kashima Antlers) Strength]: 1. Kashima Antlers currently have the same 47 points as Kashiwa Reysol, but they are at the top of the table by virtue of goal difference. The team are determined to secure all three points in this match to consolidate their top position and are highly motivated.2. Kyosuke Tagawa performed well in the last game. He scored the only goal of the match and helped his team...
[(Girona) Strength]: 1. This match marks the opening game of the new La Liga season. Girona, playing at home, are bound to strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In the latest warm-up match against SSC Napoli, Christian Stuani scored two goals, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Girona played two warm-up matches at home during the off-season and a...
[(Liverpool F.C.) Strength]: 1. Liverpool F.C. won the English Premier League title last season and naturally are eager to defend their title in the new season. In the first match against AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool F.C. are striving for victory and have a high fighting spirit.2. Liverpool F.C. striker Mohamed Salah scored 29 goals in the English Premier League last season and won the Golden Boot.3...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arteta the Upper Moon 2nd Champions Badges 2010 PSG DEFEATED Every Traditional "PL Top 6" Team in 2025 – Except Manchester United & Chelsea! "WAIT. THIS IS A CLASSIC.. I'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE!" Ballon d'Or... PSG BEAT SPURS TO WIN THE UEFA SUPER CUP Make that 5 trophies this year Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun ...
Isak goes on STRIKE amid ongoing Liverpool pursuitAlexander Isak is refusing to play in Newcastle United's Premier League opener against Aston Villa amid his desperation to join Liverpool this summer.According to the Daily Mail, Isak, 25, has made himself unavailable for the Magpies' trip to Villa Park on Saturday as the saga surrounding his future looks set to continue. The Sweden international h...
- 1 Fabinho opens up on painful Liverpool exit and admits Jurgen Klopp opened door for Al-Ittihad move despite labelling Brazilian as one of the best midfielders in the world
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Newcastle Back on Track! Magpies Agree Deal for AC Milan Defender Malick Thiaw
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 6 Kim Kardashian lookalike sends fans wild in low-cut top
- 7 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 8 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 9 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger
- 10 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka