Chelsea are into the Conference League’s quarter-finals, though if Enzo Maresca is to be granted his wish of noise, it will take performances much more swashbuckling than this.
The Blues trialled a ‘singing section’ in the Shed Upper at Stamford Bridge for this second leg with Copenhagen – a group of 120 season-ticket holders tasked with solving the absence of atmosphere which had been bugging Maresca. Sing they did, though their resolve was tested as Chelsea reached half-time without mustering a single shot, on or off target.
That had not happened to this club in Europe since a trip to Basel in 2013, but thankfully for Maresca, the introduction of Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella – two players he would have hoped to save for their Premier League showdown with Arsenal this Sunday – upped the tempo.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall opened the scoring after 55 minutes to give Chelsea their 3-1 lead on aggregate as, finally, the ‘singing section’ were given something to shout about.
Chelsea are considered such favourites for the Conference League that they could well win this competition without needing to go up through the gears. Yet complaints have been raised over Maresca’s style of play in recent weeks, and first halves as tame as this only add to the scrutiny.
Not since their FA Cup win over Morecambe in January had Chelsea lined up without Palmer, and he was surrounded by Cobham kids on the bench here, including a 16-year-old called Reggie Walsh. Tyrique George, 19, and Josh Acheampong, 18, started from the academy.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored Chelsea’s opening goal of the night at Stamford Bridge
Cole Palmer came off the bench at half time but failed to end his goal drought
Enzo Maresca was delighted at full time, but his team flattered to deceive for long periods
In the 43rd minute, Pedro Neto appeared through until barged over by Kevin Diks. Referee Radu Petrescu ignored Chelsea’s calls for a penalty.
The Blues finally tested Copenhagen goalkeeper Diant Ramaj after 48 minutes when Jadon Sancho had a go from distance.
Remarkably, that was Sancho’s first shot on target for Chelsea in all competitions since Boxing Day, with this marking his 14th appearance since then.
Chelsea secured the win when Dewsbury-Hall forced his way past three players, scoring nicely into the bottom corner.
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