Last updated on May 2, 2025
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Chelsea made light work of Djurgården.
Image credit: Chelsea FC
Chelsea took a giant step toward the UEFA Europa Conference League final with a commanding 4-1 away win over Swedish side Djurgården in the first leg of their semi-final clash on Thursday, May 1.
Despite fielding a heavily rotated team, manager Enzo Maresca’s Blues were simply too powerful for their opponents.
Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke struck in the first half, before substitute Nicolas Jackson netted twice in six minutes after the break.
A late consolation from 18-year-old Isak Alemayehu—his first senior goal—was all Djurgården could muster in response.
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Chelsea Take Charge Early
Played at the 3Arena in front of 26,703 fans, Chelsea wasted no time asserting themselves.
A brilliant lofted assist from Enzo Fernández allowed Sancho to open the scoring in the 12th minute.
The winger controlled the ball smartly and slotted it past Jacob Rinne with the help of a sliced clearance from defender Marcus Danielson.
Chelsea, unfazed by the artificial surface that had concerned Maresca pre-match, controlled the tempo and possession.
Just before halftime, Fernández again provided the spark—slipping a pass through to Madueke, who finished powerfully at the near post to double the lead.
Jackson’s Instant Impact
Maresca made four changes at halftime, introducing Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson among others.
The impact was immediate. A defensive mishap between Danielson and Rinne gifted Jackson an easy chance in the 59th minute, which he converted confidently.
Only six minutes later, Jackson struck again—this time with a classy finish from the edge of the box after Moises Caicedo won the ball in midfield.
With the score at 4-0, Chelsea looked to be cruising into the final.
Djurgården Bright Moment
To the delight of the home fans, Djurgården finally found a moment of joy in the 68th minute.
Teenage forward Alemayehu met a Tobias Gulliksen cross with a firm downward header to beat Filip Jorgensen and give the Swedish side a consolation goal.
It was a proud moment for the youngster and a flicker of resistance from the underdogs.
A Mismatch on Paper and Pitch
This semi-final tie had always looked uneven.
Chelsea’s squad value is reported to be 44 times greater than Djurgarden’s.
While the Swedish club fought their way through 16 games from the second qualifying round, Chelsea entered the competition as one of the favorites and are currently top of several performance metrics: most goals (33), highest possession (62.9%), best passing accuracy (92.3%), and most shots on target (87).
The contrast was evident throughout the match. Even with eight changes from their previous Premier League win against Evertonr, Chelsea’s strength in depth proved overwhelming.
Positive Signs for the Blues
For Chelsea, there were plenty of positives: Fernández delivered two assists, Madueke and Sancho impressed in attack, and Jackson’s brace was a welcome return to form.
Even 16-year-old Reggie Walsh almost made headlines by nearly scoring with his first touch on debut.
Meanwhile, news from the Premier League added to Chelsea’s joy—Brentford’s win over Nottingham Forest ensured the Blues stayed sixth, keeping them in the race for Champions League qualification.
The Road Ahead
Chelsea will now shift focus to a crucial Premier League fixture against new champions Liverpool.
With a healthy three-goal advantage, they are well positioned to finish the job in next week’s return leg at Stamford Bridge.
If they do, Chelsea will become the first club in history to win all three major UEFA competitions: the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
