Chelsea grabbed a first-leg advantage in the last 16 of the Conference League with a 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen.

Enzo Maresca's side - favourites for the competition - created little in the first 45 minutes with the visitors managing just a two shots on goal but a triple substitution from the boss at the break sparked them into life.

Reece James got the ball rolling with a crisp drive into the bottom corner just 56 seconds into the second half.

Player ratings: James stands up

Chelsea: Sanchez (7), Chalobah (7), Tosin (7), Badiashile (6), Gusto (6), James (8), Dewsbury-Hall (5), Palmer (6), George (7), Mheuka (6)

Subs: Enzo (8), Nkunku (7), Cucurella (8), Sancho (6)

Player of the Match: Reece James

Copenhagen then hit the post, threatening an immediate reply as Viktor Claesson's shot struck the inside of the upright and landed in the grateful arms of Robert Sanchez.

However, Chelsea's intensity eventually overwhelmed the hosts when Enzo Fernandez found the top corner to put Chelsea in what looked a commanding position.

But Chelsea had themselves to blame for not emerging with a more comfortable advantage, leaving space for defender Gabriel Pereira to head a free-kick powerfully past Robert Sanchez on 79 minutes to give the Danish champions encouragement for next Thursday's return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Analysis: Chelsea's lack of in-game consistency is a worry

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:

This was a performance that summed up this Chelsea team and perhaps epitomized their season.

They were so sloppy in parts. They were superb in parts.

Just two shots to an expected goals tally of 0.06 before the break wasn't the sign of a team odds-on to win this competition. It was too safe. Passing without purpose.

That changed instantly when Maresca turned to his bench at half-time, bringing on Levi Colwill, Christopher Nkunku and the fully engaged Enzo Fernandez, whose enthusiasm and bite set the tone for a much improved second 45 minutes.

Yet still, Chelsea, who were cruising with the clock ticking down, switched off from the set-piece and allowed the Danish champions to keep the tie alive.

Inconsistency is common trait of a developing team packed with potential but the ups and downs during 90 minutes remains a big worry for the long-term prospects under this manager.

Teams

Copenhagen Ramaj, Diks (Garananga 79), Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Meling (Lopez 70), Gocholeishvili (Huescas 71), Clem, Froholdt, Achouri (Robert 66), Claesson (c) (Mattsson 65), Chiakha
Subs Not Used Trott, Runarsson, Garananga, Nemeth, Falk
Booked Diks, Chiakha, Lopez, Hatzidiakos
Goals Pereira 80

Chelsea Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile (Colwill 46), Gusto (Cucurella 25); James, Caicedo (Fernandez 46); Dewsbury-Hall, Palmer (Sancho 72), George; Mheuka (Nkunku 46)
Subs Not Used Jorgensen, Bergstrom, Acheampong, Amougou, Neto
Booked Fernandez
Goals James 47, Fernandez 66

Attendance 35,959

Referee Georgi Kabakov (BUL)

VAR Dragomir Draganov (BUL)