Chelsea may be shackled to the Conference League for the time being, but then as Nicolas Jackson fired in the visitors’ fourth to send them towards its final, it dawned that the Swedish capital was as nice a setting as any for a sudden bout of Stockholm syndrome.
There was no telling Jackson that he cannot enjoy Europe’s third-tier competition as he celebrated his second goal of the evening, nor Jadon Sancho or Noni Madueke when they scored either.
Enzo Maresca enjoyed it, too, having turned merciless at half-time by bringing on Jackson, Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah.
Chelsea were already leading 2-0, but he wanted confirmation that this two-legged semi-final is as good as dead.
Though Djurgarden got a goal for themselves, next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge is looking like a formality.
This lead alone should be enough to send them to Wroclaw, Poland, to face either Fiorentina or Real Betis, managed by Maresca’s old mentor Manuel Pellegrini.
Chelsea ran out comfortable winners over Swedish side Djurgarden in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final
A brace from second half substitute Nicolas Jackson ensured the Blues were in cruise control
The hosts were rewarded for a plucky performance when they pulled a goal back through Isak Alemayehu
Maresca made a quadruple substitution at the break, bringing on Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah.
However, Djurgarden suddenly threatened to score, going close through Hampus Finndell and Priske.
In the 60th minute, however, it was 3-0 as Jackson capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Danielson and Rinne. Then it became 4-0 after 64 when Chelsea’s striker buried an 18-yard belter.
Djurgarden got a goal for themselves when Isak Mulugeta headed beyond Filip Jorgensen, with Josh Acheampong having lost the ball and then his man.
Palmer should have scored when through, but the lack of confidence showed, a heavy touch killing the chance as the ball ran away from him. His time will come eventually.
All in all, this was a good night for Chelsea. They are practically in the Conference League’s final, and the plastic pitch did not do them harm. Now for Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
As stoppage time neared, Maresca brought on 16-year-old Reggie Walsh for his senior debut.
He came so close to scoring from 25 yards, but Rinne denied him. You suspect with this lead, he will get another chance to impress next week.
