Chelsea took a big step towards the Conference League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win away from home agianst Copenhagen.
Enzo Maresca named a mix of youth and established first team players, handing out a first Chelsea start to Shumaira Mheuka.
Goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez were enough for the Blues, who were forced to hold on late on after conceding from a set piece late on.
The Conference League is seen by many as must-win for Chelsea this season, and Nigel Reo-Coker believes Maresca should be sacked if they don’t end the year with this trophy.
With a second leg at Stamford Bridge, the Blues will fancy their chances at progressing from the Round of 16 stage against their Danish opposition.
The Chelsea Chronicle have given out player ratings for those who started and came off the bench in a winning effort against Copenhagen.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea player ratings vs Copenhagen
Robert Sanchez – 6/10
Robert Sanchez may have questions asked of him as to whether he could have kept out Copenhagen’s goal tonight.
Despite being asked to do very little, the Spaniard was solid from crosses and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet.
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Trevoh Chalobah – 7/10
A very good performance for Trevoh Chalobah, with him starting the game despite only just recovering from an injury problem.
Starting as pretty much a right-back, the Cobham graduate continued to show that he can be an impressive, versatile option for the Blues.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 6/10
Very solid for the most part, Tosin Adarabioyo did his chances of more minutes in the coming weeks no harm at all.
With Wesley Fofana closing in on a return, competition will be high again for a place in the backline for the Blues.
Benoit Badiashile – 6/10
A great sight for Chelsea fans will have been the return of Benoit Badiashile to action, with him playing 45 minutes before being replaced.
The Frenchman had a solid game on the left of central defence, and will be hoping for another opportunity for minutes against Leicester on Sunday.
Malo Gusto – 5/10
Malo Gusto was forced off with an injury early in the first half, being replaced by Marc Cucurella.
The Frenchman had lined up on the left of defence, and Enzo Maresca will be praying his issue is not too serious considering the lack of options behind the Spaniard.
Reece James – 8/10
Scoring the goal from range just after half-time, Reece James showed that he is looking a serious option for Chelsea in the middle of the park.
His presence allowed Enzo Fernandez a rest as a starter, and his physicality was top draw as he continued to keep hold of the ball in tight areas.
Moises Caicedo – 7/10
Only risked by 45 minutes by Maresca, Moises Caicedo was quality again at winning the ball back from the opposition in the early stages.
Was replaced at half-time by Enzo Fernandez, with that looking as if it was the plan from the start to play for a half each.
Cole Palmer – 6/10
Another frustrating display for Cole Palmer’s standards, who was asked to do a lot of work in his own half at times where Chelsea were under pressure.
The star man fired a volley just wide in the first half, but offered little in attack as his drought in front of goal followed him across Europe.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 4/10
Looked uncomfortable off the left in the first half, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struggled to make any real impact on proceedings in a rare start.
A switch to the opposite side saw him look more at home, but still there will be disappointed at the performance he put in.
Tyrique George – 7/10
Another player who was asked to do a lot of defensive work, Tyrique George was unable to impact proceedings much in the first half.
After surviving the half-time substitutions, a move to the attack saw him impress, setting up Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea’s second goal of the evening.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Shumaira Mheuka – 5/10
An unfortunate first Chelsea start for Shumaira Mheuka, who had very little service and ultimately barely laid a glove on the game.
The Blues looked far stronger in the second half, and unfortunately this came when the youngster had departed the pitch.
With the ongoing striker injury crisis at Stamford Bridge, Mheuka will be disappointed he was not able to do more with his opportunity.
Marc Cucurella – 8/10
The tempo Chelsea played at immediately shifted when Marc Cucurella was introduced early in the first half, with his presence at both ends of the pitch being felt.
His persistence in attack saw him set up James’ goal, before winning the ball back in the build up to Fernandez doubling their lead.
Enzo Fernandez – 7/10
After being introduced at half-time, Enzo Fernandez found a crucial second goal to give Chelsea some breathing space in the tie.
The World Cup winner brought a level of control that had perhaps been lacking in the first half, and he will be one of those who returns to the starting side on Sunday.
Levi Colwill – 6/10
Levi Colwill didn’t put a foot wrong at the back after coming on in the second half, with him now facing competition from Badiashile for his place in the side.
As Cucurella attacked, Colwill provided the perfect cover for that side of the pitch, as Chelsea put themselves in a great spot to qualify for the next round.
Christopher Nkunku – 5/10
Coming on the play off the left in the second half, Christopher Nkunku had an unusually quiet night in the Conference League in comparison to the group stages.
The Frenchman is still looking for his top form since moving to Stamford Bridge, but he was unable to find it in Denmark.
Jadon Sancho – 5/10
Introduced in place of the frustrated Palmer, Jadon Sancho moved over to the right wing, with George operating in a central position for the closing stages.
Sancho’s performances have not been top quality lately, and his cameo saw him not make too much impact as Chelsea held on.