Chelsea took a significant step forward in their UEFA Conference League play-off with a 2-0 victory over Servette, thanks to second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke.
The match came to life after the break when Nkunku earned a penalty and converted it confidently for his first goal at Stamford Bridge. Although Marc Guiu could have added a second shortly after, it was Madueke who secured the lead with just over 15 minutes left, finishing off a brilliant pass from Enzo Fernandez.
Servette remained a threat throughout the match. Debutant Filip Jorgensen made several important saves, and the visitors struck the crossbar late in the game. Coach Enzo Maresca will know that the tie is far from settled.
In terms of team selection, Chelsea’s head coach made nine changes, giving debuts to Tosin Adarabioyo and Jorgensen. Players such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto, Guiu, and Renato Veiga also started for the first time after coming on as substitutes in the season opener against Manchester City. Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, and Mykhailo Mudryk were also included, while Nkunku and Moises Caicedo maintained their places from the previous match.
Before the match began, Joao Felix was warmly welcomed back by the Stamford Bridge crowd. Chelsea started strongly, with Guiu being close to scoring early on after being played in by Dewsbury-Hall but ruled offside.
Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall pushed forward effectively, causing Servette to defend. However, the Swiss side registered their first real challenge in the first quarter of the match when Jorgensen saved a shot from Dereck Kutesa.
As the first half went on, both teams looked threatening on counter-attacks but struggled to make the final pass count. The breakthrough finally came shortly after the halftime interval, as Dewsbury-Hall seized on a loose ball and set up Nkunku, who rounded the goalkeeper before being brought down. Nkunku dusted himself off to convert the resulting penalty kick.
Shortly after, Guiu had another opportunity to score but was unable to finish after blocking a clearance from the Servette goalkeeper, Jeremy Frick. Chelsea made further substitutions with Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Madueke coming on. It was Fernandez’s great pass that allowed Madueke to surge forward and score on his weaker foot.
Servette attempted to respond late in the match, with Jeremy Guillemenot coming close after a defensive lapse from Chelsea. Jorgensen, however, made another crucial save. The Swiss side nearly capitalized on another chance from Tiemoko Ouattara, but his shot hit the crossbar. There were additional scares for Chelsea as Gael Ondoua headed wide from close range.
As stoppage time approached, Guillemenot had a golden opportunity to score from a corner but sent his effort over the bar, meaning Chelsea maintained their clean sheet.
Next up, Chelsea will travel to the West Midlands to face Wolves before the return leg in Geneva next week.
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 substitutes: 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