Chelsea secured a strong advantage in their UEFA Conference League play-off with a 2-0 victory over Servette, thanks to goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke in the second half.
The match intensified after the break when Nkunku earned and converted a penalty, marking his first goal at Stamford Bridge. Although Marc Guiu could have doubled the lead sooner, it was substitute Madueke who sealed it with a well-timed finish following an excellent pass from Enzo Fernandez with just 15 minutes to play.
Despite Chelsea’s dominance, Servette posed several threats throughout the match. Debutant goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen made several key saves and the visitors came close to scoring late in the game, hitting the crossbar. Coach Enzo Maresca will recognize that the tie is still very much alive.
In terms of team changes, Chelsea’s head coach implemented nine alterations, giving starting debuts to Tosin Adarabioyo and Jorgensen. Additionally, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto, Guiu, and Renato Veiga featured in the starting lineup, having previously come off the bench in their Premier League opener against Manchester City. Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Mykhailo Mudryk were also new faces in the squad, while Nkunku and Moises Caicedo, who captained the team, retained their spots from Sunday.
Before the match kicked off, Joao Felix received a warm welcome from the Stamford Bridge crowd upon his return. Chelsea commenced the game with intent, nearly breaking the deadlock within the first minute when Dewsbury-Hall found Guiu, who was just offside.
The Swiss side faced early pressure as Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall’s incisive runs kept them on the back foot. However, Servette began to threaten on the quarter-hour mark, with Jorgensen preventing a well-struck shot from Dereck Kutesa.
Midway through the first half, Guiu’s clever hold-up play set up Mudryk for a promising chance, though Mudryk’s shot went wide. Pedro also tested Servette goalkeeper Jeremy Frick, but the first half ended with both teams struggling to convert their counter-attacks into goals.
The breakthrough came shortly after halftime when Dewsbury-Hall seized on a loose ball, setting up Nkunku, who was fouled after rounding the keeper before scoring from the penalty spot, igniting excitement among the Chelsea fans.
Chelsea almost doubled their lead immediately afterward when Guiu’s press forced Frick into a fumble, but the young striker was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Maresca then introduced Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Noni Madueke, with Palmer taking on a central attacking role.
It was Madueke who eventually increased Chelsea’s advantage, scoring with a powerful strike after a brilliant assist from Fernandez.
Servette attempted a late comeback through substitute Jeremy Guillemenot, but Jorgensen was alert to make an important save. A moment later, a deflected shot from Tiemoko Ouattara hit the crossbar, and the Chelsea defense managed to escape additional danger as Ondoua’s header went wide.
In stoppage time, Servette nearly found the net as Steve Rouiller won a header from a corner, but Guillemenot’s attempt from close range was off target. Jorgensen came to the rescue one more time as they held on for the victory.
Chelsea will need to stay focused ahead of the return leg in Geneva next week. Before that, they will head to the West Midlands on Sunday to face Wolves.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Jorgensen; Disasi (Gusto 78), Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Nkunku (Fernandez 57), Caicedo (c) (Lavia 84), Dewsbury-Hall; Neto (Madueke 57), Guiu (Palmer 57), Mudryk.
Unused subs: Bettinelli, Sanchez, Cucurella, Colwill, Jackson
Goals: Nkunku (pen) 50, Madueke 76
Booked: Dewsbury-Hall 90+3
Servette (4-2-3-1): Frick (c); Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou; Douline (Vonmoos 61), Ondoua; Stevanovic (Antunes 61), Cognat (Ouattara 85), Kutesa (Magnin 69); Crivelli (Guillemenot 61)
Unused subs: Mall, Besson, Baron, Antunes, Sawadogo, Weber, Srdanovic, Frankhauser
Referee: Jeremie Pignard from France
Attendance: 37,902