toptop
Chelsea
were grateful for their first-leg lead over Servette as they were beaten 2-1 on
the night in Geneva but booked their place in the Europa Conference League draw
courtesy of a 3-2 win on aggregate.
This was Chelsea's 299th game in European football. They've won everything there
is to win on the continent - except this one, the newest competition.
They will hope this is the start of them completing the set again. In
Switzerland, they extended their lead within 15 minutes as Christopher Nkunku
scored from the penalty spot after Keigo Tsunemoto had taken down Mykhailo
Mudryk inside the box.
This was Chelsea's first visit to Servette since the decade following the Second
World War. Chelsea were in cruise control, but complacency allowed the hosts to
get a foothold in the contest as Jeremy Guillemenot, once of Barcelona's
academy, latched onto Dereck Kutesa's pass to steer his shot across Filip
Jorgensen into the far corner on 32 minutes.
Chelsea player ratings
Chelsea: Jorgensen (5), Veiga (6), Badiashile (6), Adarabioyo
(5), Disasi (6), Fernandez (6), Dewsbury-Hall (6), Madueke (6), Nkunku (8),
Mudryk (7), Guiu (5).
Subs: Caicedo (7), Jackson (6), Palmer (6), Tyrique (6).
Noni Madueke, fresh from a deserved England call-up following his blistering
start to the campaign, ought to have notched his fifth goal in three matches
when he was played in by Marc Guiu but he telegraphed his finish as Joel Mall
denied him.
Kutesa continued to cause problems as Jorgensen kept out his shot after another
knifing run from left to right.
The second period initially lacked major incident with Chelsea controlling
proceedings. There was even a nice moment for Tyrique George as the 18-year-old
came off the bench to make his professional debut.
But that suddenly changed when two Servette substitutes combined, Miroslav
Stevanovic's cross headed in by Enzo Crivelli after both Benoit Badiashile and
Jorgensen lost their footing on 72 minutes.
It sparked an anxious final quarter of an hour which might have been far more
serene when Cole Palmer was found by an Nkunku pass only to see his shot smack
the crossbar.
There was still time for a final Servette chance. Gael Ondoua won the ball in
front of Palmer as Julian von Moos set up Timothe Cognat but there was not
enough bend on his shot.
Chelsea had the opportunities to put the tie to bed, but it didn't prove costly.
Enzo Maresca continues to try and sell a number of first-team players, and while
Friday could prove another busy day at the club, booking a spot in the Europa
Conference League draw represents the first important milestone in his tenure.
What's coming up in the Premier League?
Stream Man Utd vs Liv, the Old Firm, New vs Tot for £14.99 with NOW
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday as they host Crystal Palace at
Stamford Bridge, kick-off at 1.30pm.
On the same day is an epic Super Sunday live on Sky Sports with Newcastle
hosting Tottenham at St James' Park with kick-off at 1.30pm, before Manchester
United host Liverpool at Old Trafford, kick-off at 4.30pm.
On Saturday Night Football, West Ham host Premier League champions Manchester
City at the London Stadium with coverage starting at 5pm, kick-off at 5.30pm.
Teams
Servette Mall, Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou, Cognat,
Ondoua, Douline (Quattara 85), Kutesa (von Moos 78), Antunes (Crivelli 62),
Guillemenot (Stevanovic 62)
Subs Not Used Frick, Besson, Baron, Srdanovic, Sawadogo,
Magnin, Weber, Simbakoli
Booked Severin, Crivelli, Douline
Goals Guillemenot 32, Crivelli 72
Chelsea Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Enzo (c)
(Caicedo 63), Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke (George 62), Nkunku, Mudryk (Palmer 73);
Guiu (Jackson 63)
Subs Not Used Bettinelli, Sanchez, Acheampong, Colwill,
Cucurella
Booked Badiashile, Jackson, Veiga
Goals Nkunku 14 (pen)
Attendance 28,000
Referee Marco Di Bello (ITA)
VAR Gianluca Aureliano (ITA)