Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea narrowly defeated FC Copenhagen 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to confirm their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFAConference League.
It was a quiet start to the match with FC Copenhagen coming the closest as a header from Elias Achouri was just over the bar, whilst Rodrigo Huescas saw his shot blocked by Josh Acheampong before Birger Meling headed off-target moments later.
Chelsea, meanwhile, failed to have a single shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes, seemingly lacking that attacking spark going forward. The Blues were almost awarded a penalty just before the break after Pedro Neto went down inside the area, though nothing was given.
However, just minutes into the second half, the home side showed more of an attacking threat and nearly took the lead when substitute Cole Palmer crossed towards Trevoh Chalobah at the backpost, who was unable to poke home from close range. Moments later, Diant Ramaj was called into action by keeping out a powerful strike from Jadon Sancho.
With 55 minutes on the clock, though, Chelsea opening the scoring thanks to a brilliant solo strike by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder picked the ball up on the edge of the box before foraying towards the six-yard box and firing the ball into the bottom corner.
Although the tie was very much over, the Blues still came close to adding a second on two seperate occasions as Pedro Neto's strike from 18-yards was kept out by Ramaj before minutes later, Cole Palmer dribbled towards the Copenhagen penalty area but curled the ball wide.
Palmer had another chance shortly after when his free-kick curled over the wall but was kept out by the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, for the visitors, Huescas fired the ball over the bar, whilst Palmer was denied by Ramaj in the closing stages of stoppage time following an excellent counterattacking move.
However, in the end, Dewsbury-Hall's goal was enough to win the second leg for the West Londoners, as the Blues ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate.
Story of the Match
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made five changes from the side that won the first leg 2-1 in Denmark, with Filip Jorgensen preferred to Robert Sanchez between the sticks whilst Malo Gusto missed out through injury, as 18-year-old Josh Acheampong came into the starting eleven.
Having scored in the first leg, Enzo Fernandez partnered Moises Caicedo in midfield with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall once again further forward. Cole Palmer and Shim Mhueka both dropped to the bench and were replaced by wingers Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto – the latter starting as a false nine. Youngster Tyrique George retained his place.
Meanwhile for FC Copenhagen, Jacob Neestrup stuck with a similar side from last Thursday. Neestrup was boosted by the return of Mohamed Elyounoussi, who missed the first leg through illness. Elyounoussi came in for Amin Chiaka as captain Viktor Claesson spearheaded the attack. The other change came at right-back with Giorgi Gocholeishvili making way for Rodrigo Huescas.
The opening chance of the evening fell to the away side after just four minutes, with Claesson’s cross falling to Elias Achouri, who misguided his header over the bar. Aside from that early chance, however, it was a very quiet start to proceedings with Chelsea yet to test goalkeeper Diant Ramaj.
But it was Copenhagen who looked the more likely to score when Huescas saw his shot blocked by Acheampong, before the ball was recycled back into the penalty area as Birger Meling headed well wide. Meanwhile, up the other end, the Blues had still yet to conjure up a shot on goal, with **Enzo Fernandez**’s delivery from a free-kick failing to reach a Chelsea head inside the penalty area.
The home side continued to look predictable going forward and struggled to break down the Copenhagen defence. Though, in the latter stages of the first half, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall combined well with Jadon Sancho as the latter found himself inside the Copenhagen penalty area before seeing his cross blocked.
However, minutes before the break, Chelsea were almost awarded a penalty when Moises Caicedo played through Pedro Neto, who was bundled over inside the box, but the referee waved away protests.
Second Half
Ahead of the second half, a response was needed from Chelsea and Maresca wasted no time in making changes, introducing both Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella in place of Enzo Fernandez and Acheampong.
Palmer almost made an instant impact as he crossed the ball towards Trevoh Chalobah, who miskicked his effort from close range. Moments later, a powerful right-footed strike from Sancho stung the palms of Ramaj. With less than five minutes of the second half played, Chelsea seemed to have woken up after the half-time break.
However, on 55 minutes, the home side broke the deadlock. The ball fell kindly to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the edge of the area, who weaved his way into the penalty box before rolling the ball into the back of the net. A much-needed goal for Chelsea to all but wrap up the tie.
Pedro Neto almost added a second not long past the hour mark when his left-footed shot was kept out by Ramaj. The Blues continued to threaten as Palmer pushed forward into the Copenhagen box before curling a shot wide of the target.
Palmer had another opportunity soon after, this time from a free-kick, but Ramaj was able to make the stop. Meanwhile, with eight minutes to go, Copenhagen looked to respond but Robert could only fire well wide of the target.
In the closing stages of the match, Neto pushed forward from inside his own half towards the Copenhagen box before teeing up Palmer in the middle, but he was unable to sort his feet out.
Meanwhile, deep into stoppage time, Rodrigo Huescas found himself through on goal, but the full-back fired wayward from a tight angle. Not long later, Chelsea pushed forward on the counterattack led by Palmer, whose strike was kept out by Ramaj.
Player of the Match - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
It may not have been a pretty performance from Chelsea, but it was a solid display from the winning goalscorer Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who work tirelessly hard in the middle of the park and scored with a well taken strike to ensure his side comfortably progressed to the next round.
Dewsbury-Hall has struggled since his arrival at Stamford Bridge but his performance's in the Conference League have looked promising and there is still hope for the midfielder. The 26-year-old will be hoping to gain valuable minutes in Europe, as the Blues continue to progress in the tournament.