UEFA Conference League: Chelsea thrash Djurgarden 4-1
By Olaolu Joseph
Chelsea have one foot in the Europa Conference League final after cruising to a 4-1 first-leg semi-final win over Djurgarden in Stockholm.
Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke struck in the first half to settle early nerves for the Blues against their Swedish hosts.
Substitute Nicolas Jackson added a second-half brace before 18-year-old Isak Alemayehu netted a consolation goal — the first of his senior career — for Djurgarden.
With a top-five Premier League finish their main priority, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made eight changes to the starting lineup ahead of Sunday’s crucial league clash with newly crowned champions Liverpool.
However, the rotation had little effect as Chelsea delivered a commanding performance, leaving them confident of finishing the job in next Thursday’s return leg at Stamford Bridge.
Victory in the competition would make Chelsea the first club to win all three major UEFA competitions, having already lifted the Champions League and Europa League twice.
Chelsea’s win capped a spectacular night for English football, following big Europa League semi-final victories for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
