Chelsea secured their first victory under new manager Mauricio Pochettino with a comfortable 2-0 win over Swiss side Servette in the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage.
The Blues dominated the match from the start, creating numerous chances but struggling to convert them. However, their persistence paid off in the second half as they finally found the net through goals from Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson.
Gallagher Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Gallagher finished off a well-worked move. Raheem Sterling played a clever pass through the Servette defense, and Gallagher made no mistake with a powerful shot past the goalkeeper.
The goal provided a much-needed boost for Chelsea, who had been frustrated by Servette’s resolute defending. The Swiss side had defended deep and compactly, making it difficult for the Blues to find space.
Jackson Seals the Victory
Just five minutes after Gallagher’s opener, Chelsea doubled their lead through Jackson. The Senegalese striker showed great composure to finish off a cross from Sterling. Jackson controlled the ball with his chest before volleying it past the goalkeeper.
The goal effectively sealed the victory for Chelsea, who were comfortable for the remainder of the match. Servette tried to push forward in search of a consolation goal but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.
Pochettino Delighted with First Win
Pochettino was delighted with his side’s performance and the victory. He praised his players for their patience and determination, and he also highlighted the importance of getting off to a winning start in European competition.
I’m very happy with the performance,” Pochettino said after the match. “We created a lot of chances and we were patient. It’s important to get the first win in Europe, especially in a group like this. We have a lot of tough games ahead, but this is a good start.
Servette Put Up a Fight
Despite the defeat, Servette can be proud of their performance. They defended well for long periods of the match and made it difficult for Chelsea to break them down. However, they lacked the attacking quality to create any real threat.
Servette manager Alain Geiger acknowledged that his side had been outplayed by Chelsea but insisted that they would learn from the experience. He also expressed hope that they could still compete for a place in the knockout stages of the Conference League.
Chelsea’s European Ambitions
The victory over Servette was a positive start to Chelsea’s Europa Conference League campaign. The Blues are aiming to win their first European trophy since the Europa League in 2019, and they will be hoping to make a deep run in the competition.
Chelsea’s group also includes Belgian side Gent and Bulgarian team Rakov. The Blues will face Gent in their next match on September 21.
Chelsea Starting XI:
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk, Carney Chukwuemeka.
Servette Starting XI:
Jérémy Frick, Mateo Pivlović, Maxime Domingues, Alexis Arigone, Stephy Mavididi, Timothé Cognat, Gabriel Baranov, Léo Lacroix, Amir Dzemaili, Blerim Dzemaili, Cedric Pic.
