Chelsea may be shackled to the Conference League for the time being, but as Nicolas Jackson fired in their fourth to send them towards its final, it dawned that the Swedish capital was as nice a setting as any for a 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, or Enzo Maresca for that matter. They dismantled Djurgarden, mercilessly and massively.
Sure, there is little romantic to Chelsea’s waltz towards the final in Wroclaw, Poland. They are sharks swimming in a pond of koi, exerting their might over the mini, but then while being held hostage in a competition that falls some way short of their true ambitions, they may as well take it seriously.
Maresca’s quadruple substitution at half-time told us he is. He brought 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 after Jackson’s double, and a final with Fiorentina or Real Betis, managed by Maresca’s old mentor Manuel Pellegrini, awaits.
Chelsea ran out comfortable winners over Swedish side Djurgarden in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday night, triumphing 4-1 away from home
A brace from second half substitute Nicolas Jackson ensured the Blues were in cruise control
The hosts were rewarded for a plucky display when they pulled back through Isak Alemayehu
The added bonus to the Conference League is the opportunities it has afforded Chelsea’s youngsters, and as full-time approached, Reggie Walsh was brought on as a substitute. He is only 16 years old, and came close to making this a dream debut by scoring from 25 yards. You suspect he will get another chance in next week’s second leg.
‘I felt excited to give him the chance,’ Maresca said on Walsh. ‘He’s suited to our style. He’s the eighth debut from the academy.
‘He is perfect for our system, but of course he’s also young, so we need to protect him. I told him to enjoy the experience before he came on. It was the perfect night – an important semi-final and a good result.’
Sancho had spent the opening 12 minutes complaining that his team-mates were not passing to him when he was finally found for the opener.
It was a clever cross from Enzo Fernandez but arguably, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was this goal’s true architect without even touching the ball.
It was his run which pulled Adam Stahl out of position to leave Sancho on his own to score, with Marcus Danielson botching a goal-line clearance.
Djurgarden had been blasting their plastic pitch with water cannons before kick-off – presumably to make it slicker in the absence of its fake fibres growing.
Despite fearing it could cause injuries, Maresca started Reece James in midfield. After 31 minutes, a scooped ball in behind by Chelsea’s captain should have been buried by Madueke, but Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Rinne denied him from six yards.
Jadon Sancho enjoyed a return to form as he opened the scoring after 12 minutes
Enzo Maresca will be pleased to have this tie all but in the bag after the first leg as his focus now returns to Champions League football with the Blues hosting Liverpool on Sunday
Madueke made amends when Fernandez teed him up to score from 16 yards as Chelsea took a 2-0 lead into half-time.
Despite Maresca’s quadruple substitution at the break, Djurgarden suddenly threatened to score, going close through Hampus Finndell and August 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 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 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.
Maresca can only hope he ends his goal drought this Sunday when Liverpool visit in the Premier League.