ENZO MARESCA’S Chelsea showed they can more than cope with the Conference League as they sailed past FC Copenhagen into the quarter-finals.
The first half was described by many as the most boring of the Blues’ season, as they failed to register a shot against a team that finished 18th in a below-par group phase.
In fact, the most interesting part of the first 45 minutes was probably the exceptional travelling support, who got more excited for the warm-ups than the home fans did all night.
Thankfully, it didn’t stay that way for long, with a rare moment of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall magic and two half-time subs igniting the game and the crowd as he evaded a number of challenges before slotting the ball home and opening the scoring.
Cole Palmer’s half-time introduction alongside Marc Cucurella certainly injected some energy into the Chelsea attack, but he was still unable to break his run of poor form in this one.
Maresca and his men will be hoping that small issue is fixed before they face Molde or Legia Warsaw in the next round.
This is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
Filip Jorgensen – 8
His performance was everything it needed to be tonight.
While the Dane wasn’t tested all that much in goal he saved anything that came his way and was commanding of his box with the Copenhagen crosses coming flying in.
His distribution was also pretty good, with a long throw out to Pedro Neto on the right side of attack being the best example of that.
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Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Solid for the Blues at right back tonight.
Didn’t blow any socks off as he went about his business.
But Chalobah was entirely dependable and a strong presence in Enzo Maresca’s side.
A slight knock on his performance was that he did give the ball away a few times for a player of his quality on the ball.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
Being an ‘old head’ in the side at just 27 years of age must be a strange feeling for Tosin, but that’s what he has been this season and was again tonight.
In the game against Leicester I praised him for his leadership skills and taking on the role of organising the defence and he did that once more in this game, albeit with a group of defenders he won’t have been used to playing matches with.
His physical presence in the side is much needed and appreciated, and he always seemed pretty composed on the ball too. Chelsea’s best defender on the night.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
The Frenchman recently returned from a lengthy hamstring injury and gave a bit of added depth to Chelsea’s defence while allowing Levi Colwill to get a rest.
It was his only his second game since the Blues beat Tottenham 4-3 back in December, and he looked a bit rusty from the off with a few lousy passes and a missed opportunity to attack the box and get a goal early on.
You could sense the other players getting frustrated with his passing, Sancho in particular who would drop short only for the defender to loop it over his head and out of play.
Josh Acheampong – 7
With Player of the Season contender Marc Cucurella starting on the bench, Cobham graduate Josh Acheampong had big boots to fill playing in his inverted full-back role.
He did it brilliantly though, while looking 10 years his senior and it was a mature, strong and controlled performance from the youngster.
He was an attacking threat when progressing the ball, but also came up with some vital bits of defensive play including a huge first half block to stop Copenhagen levelling the tie.
Was probably deserving of playing the second half, but was replaced by Cucurella.
Moises Caicedo – 7
You get the sense he was waiting an age for the chance to put in a big tackle as he has been walking a yellow card tightrope in the Premier League of late.
He enjoyed it when he did, and was his usual combative self while showing flashes of the player we know he can be with the ball at his feet and linking up well with those around him.
Was given a standing ovation for his performance when he was replaced by Reece James for the final 10 minutes.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 5
Was often on the ball in the first half, but not at his brilliant best with a few passes going astray as he looked to create attacks and progress the ball as we have seen him do this season.
Nonetheless, was always an option in midfield and is a player that youngsters like Josh Acheampong will really appreciate as something of a safety net, knowing how technically secure he is.
Was subbed at half-time for Cole Palmer after struggling to find his feet a bit in midfield.
Tyrique George – 5
Tyrique is starting to look like he’s really settling in here, and with each passing game he seems to be growing in confidence and showing the fans here more of the brilliant player we saw in the academy.
Was intelligent and bright on the right-hand side, not looking out of place one bit and causing some real problems with his rapid feet and dribbling ability.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 8
One fan I spoke to at half-time referred to him as ‘Kiernan the friendly ghost’ and it was pretty tough to argue with him…
But it was he who came to the fore when Chelsea needed a goal to put their nerves at ease, jinking through the Copenhagen defence and slotting the ball into the net with aplomb.
What followed was actually a very good second half performance, in which he looked far more composed and confident on the ball.
Jadon Sancho – 2
Chelsea’s on-loan winger from Man Utd was back in his preferred position on the left tonight, having played the last few games on the right with Nkunku in his place.
As much as his playing style can be entertaining and he has proven already this season he has been a real creative asset, bagging five assists in his first six games, he has not been good enough of late and you sense he is really missing Nicolas Jackson or Marc Guiu as a target for him to aim at.
It’s been far too long since he added a goal or assist to his tally, and was a pretty early substitute with Nkunku coming on in his place.
His highlight was a shot on target before coming off, which believe it or not was his FIRST of 2025. It’s March…
Pedro Neto – 4
For my money was pretty unfortunate not to win a penalty in the first half, but it was much the same story for Pedro that we saw against Leicester at the weekend.
A lot of hard work and no just reward was the tale of the game for the Portuguese winger deputising as Chelsea’s number nine, it would’ve been nice to see him let a shot or two loose from the edge of the box.
Enzo Maresca will almost certainly be counting down the days to have Nicolas Jackson back it his disposal, which will also give him the option of playing Neto out wide where he is undoubtedly best suited.
SUBS:
Cole Palmer (Enzo Fernandez, HT) – 5
It was more of the same of what we have seen from Cole Palmer this season when he was introduced at half-time for Enzo Fernandez.
His quality is undeniable, there is no doubt in my mind the sun will shine on him again soon, but for now it’s more good touches with no end product.
That’s 10 games without a goal or assist for a player who would usually accrue about one, if not more, per GAME before this spell.
Some would argue he was a little selfish at the end of the game as he could’ve passed the ball off to Genesis Antwi, but you can understand his desire to break this duck.
Marc Cucurella (Josh Acheampong, HT) – 6
Was his usual self when he came on to replace the youngster, offering a bit more dynamism to the Blues and a bit more of a goal threat.
Always offers a run from deep and creates chaos when his side attack on the left.
Christopher Nkunku (Jadon Sancho, 65) – 5
Didn’t make a massive impact after his introduction, but did create a few chances and offered more of a threat to Copenhagen than what Sancho did, though he also played a more central role.
He is another of Chelsea’s front line that would be more effective with Nicolas Jackson or Marc Guiu fit and available for selection.
Reece James (Moises Caicedo, 80) – 6
Came on to a loud ovation from the home support after scoring in the first leg of this tie to help send Chelsea through.
He didn’t have an awful lot of time to make a real difference, but looked comfortable going both ways in the Blues’ midfield.
It will be interesting to see if both he and Marc Cucurella start the game vs Arsenal at the weekend.
Genesis Antwi (Pedro Neto, 89) – 5
Came on in the right side of attack as the fourth officials board went up to signal he’d get five minutes of playing time.
Made a great run down the right giving an option to Cole Palmer who could’ve teed him up for a go at goal, but Chelsea’s main man went for the confidence boosting goal and failed to beat the keeper.
Don’t think he actually touched the ball after coming on, but good for a young lad to get on the pitch nonetheless.
