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Cole Palmer inspires Chelsea to Conference League final comeback victory over Real Betis

Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson celebrates scoring his side's second goal in the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis. Pic: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

UEFA Conference League final: Chelsea 4 Real Betis 1

COLE Palmer once again showed why he is the key figure in Enzo Maresca’s side by inspiring the second half turnaround that delivered Chelsea a first trophy since their Champions League triumph in 2021 and ensured the Stamford Bridge club became the first club to win all four of European football's major trophies, adding the Conference League to their previous triumphs.

Trailing at half-time to Abde Ezzalzouli’s early goal and having made little impression on the game, Enzo Maresca’s side staged an impressive comeback, with Palmer setting up goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson midway through the second half before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo completed the win.

Having secured qualification for the Champions League on Sunday, Maresca and his players saw out the season with silverware. An occasionally troubled campaign ended on a high for the Chelsea head coach who can now reflect on a successful first season in charge.

Maresca claimed he had to convince his players of the significance of European football’s third competition, insisting victory could act as a springboard to bigger and better things. Chelsea’s progress to the final suggested the head coach had got his message across but with the trophy now at stake, Maresca’s side were initially unable to match the motivation of a Betis side competing in a European final for the first time.

There was a distinct lack of urgency from Maresca’s players who failed to match the intensity of their opponents. Their problems weren’t restricted to the final third with the London club even less convincing in front of their own goal. The speed and directness of Betis’s early attacks quickly unsettled the Chelsea defence although they were given a helping hand from Malo Gusto when the La Liga side took a ninth minute lead.

The right-back played a poor pass inside the Chelsea half where it was picked up by Isco. The midfielder, a five-times Champions League winner with Real Madrid, drove forward before playing a superb reverse pass left to Ezzalzouli, occupying the space vacated by Gusto, who fired across Filip Jorgensen and inside the far post.

Lifted by the early goal, Betis maintained the momentum and continued to expose Maresca’s side. It took an excellent save by Jorgensen to keep out a long range effort from Marc Bartra and the unfortunate Gusto was again caught out when Ezzalzouli broke through the defender’s weak challenge and set up Johnny Cardoso for what should have been the second goal.

Chelsea’s attacking efforts too often fizzled out before they were in a position to trouble Adrian, Betis’ former Liverpool goalkeeper. When they did eventually manage to deliver a dangerous ball into the area, Cole Palmer almost found Jackson with a header down from Noni Madueke’s cross and the hurried clearance by the Betis defence hinted at an uncertainty that could be exploited if they could remain on the front foot.

Maresca reacted to a poor first half by introducing Reece James for Gusto at the break although there were few immediate signs they were ready to take hold of the game. Slowly though they started to look more assured, piecing together more meaningful periods of possession. Madueke’s cross almost found Jackson and from the resulting corner, James saw a powerful shot deflected wide.

They continued to press forward but lacked the moment of quality to break down the Betis backline until Palmer grabbed hold of the game. The playmaker had had only limited impact on the game but after demanding possession inside his own half in the 65th minute, he drifted away from a number of defenders, giving himself the time to deliver a cross that picked out the run of Fernandez. The Argentina midfielder timed his run between the two Betis centre-backs perfectly to beat Adrian with a well placed header.

Palmer had acquired a swagger to his play and almost caught out Adrian four minutes later with a powerful shot from the edge of the Betis penalty area. And within a minute, he set up the second goal after another instinctive piece of skill.

The former Manchester City man again proved far too elusive for the left hand side of the Betis defence. Drawing a defender close towards him, Palmer turned quickly to reach the byline before delivering another telling cross with Jackson this time providing the finishing touch off his chest.

Jackson should have put the game beyond Betis when he ran clear from halfway only to fail to keep control of the ball as he advanced towards goal. But Sancho stepped up to complete the job with a well struck finish seven minutes from time before Caicedo capped the turnaround with a low drive in the 91st minute.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen 6; Gusto 4 (James 46,7), Chalobah 6, Badiashile 5 (Colwill 61,7), Cucurella 6; Caicedo 8, Fernandez 8; Neto 6 (Sancho 61,6), Palmer 9 (Guiu 87,6), Madueke 6; Jackson 6 (Dewsbury-Hall 80,6).

Subs not used: Sanchez, Bergstron, Tosin, Acheampong, Amougou, George, Nkunku.

REAL BETIS (4-3-3): Adrian 6; Sabaly 6, Bartra 6, Natan 6, Rodriguez 6 (Perraud 46, 6); Fornals 7, (Altimira 85,6), Isco 8, Cardoso 6 (Lo Celso 85, 6); Antony 5, Bakambu 6 (Ruibal 72,6), Ezzalzouli 7 (Rodriguez 53,6).

Subs not used: Vieites, Gonzalez, Mendy, Ortiz, Flores, Garcia

Referee: Irfan Peltjo (BIH) 6