Chelsea Scrape Through to Quarter-Finals After Narrow Victory Over FC Copenhagen

Chelsea has advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League, securing a 1-0 victory over Copenhagen in the second leg, resulting in a 3-1 aggregate and maintaining a perfect record in the tournament so far.

After losing their top spot in the Danish Superliga due to a 1-1 draw with Sønderjyske over the weekend, Copenhagen might have been apprehensive heading into this match, aiming to overturn a close first-leg defeat. However, the visitors started the game positively.

The much-favoured tournament candidates found themselves under pressure during a first half that was largely uneventful, though lively support from their travelling fans provided some atmosphere.

With no shots recorded in the first half, Chelsea’s most promising moment came when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jadon Sancho linked up well; however, a potentially threatening cross from Dewsbury-Hall was intercepted.

The first genuine attempt on goal didn’t arrive until the closing minutes of the half, with Viktor Claesson’s header from a corner being easily gathered by Filip Jorgensen.

Newly added to Chelsea’s Conference League squad for the knockout stages, Cole Palmer has been searching for his first goal since mid-January. His introduction in the second half was a much-needed boost for a home crowd eager for excitement.

As the hour mark approached, the home team still seemed subdued, but a determined and somewhat fortunate run from Dewsbury-Hall broke through the Copenhagen defence, enabling him to slot a low shot inside the far post for his third goal with Chelsea.

This opening goal did little to transform the match’s dynamics, although it did allow Chelsea some breathing space, as Palmer’s subsequent attempt curled just wide of the post.

The contest drifted towards its predictable ending, lacking intensity, with Chelsea comfortably seeing out the remaining minutes.

Copenhagen, enduring a fourth consecutive match without a victory, faces a disappointing spell that ultimately saw them exit the Conference League while lagging behind in their domestic competition.

For Enzo Maresca’s squad, this victory marks their fourth win in succession across all competitions, providing a potential springboard as Chelsea set their sights on a European quarter-final.