skysports.com

Youthful Chelsea ease into Conference League final

Chelsea sailed into the Conference League final as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's strike added to their first-leg lead over Djurgarden to give them a 5-1 aggregate win.

With the tie already all-but over after last week's thumping 4-1 win in Sweden, Enzo Maresca made 10 changes to his side with both eyes looking ahead to Sunday's midday game at Chelsea, which could have major ramifications in their hopes of Champions League qualification.

They included a debut for 16-year-old Reggie Walsh, making the midfielder Chelsea's youngest starter in European competition. He succeeded Shumaira Mheuka, who himself had only taken the record against Copenhagen in March.

Walsh was one of three homegrown teenagers in the Blues line-up and had been the pick of the bunch until another, Tyrique George, produced a deft backheel flick which was soon used to release Dewsbury-Hall for the winning goal.

He sidestepped a couple of challenges, and after spotting Jacob Rinne off his line, slotted inside the near post with a touch of class.

The Swedish visitors barely offered a threat and instead Dewsbury-Hall and George should have linked up for a second, but this time the midfielder's finish evaded him as they scrambled the ball away.

Without little jeopardy riding on the match as a whole, Enzo Maresca introduced more of his young players - including Mheuka and an impressive cameo from Genesis Antwi, allowing them to soak in the applause at the full-time whistle with Chelsea's place in Wroclaw assured.

### When is the Conference League final?

Real Betis or Fiorentina await Chelsea in the Conference League final.

It takes place at the Stadion Wroclaw in Wroclaw, Poland on May 28; kick-off at 8pm.

Read full news in source page