Legia Warsaw 0 Chelsea 3: Blues have one foot in Conference League semi-finals as Sancho shines despite exit links
THE flares and pyrotechnics were in the home areas but it was Chelsea who delivered the second half explosives to effectively seal their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
This Blues team which cost over £1billion to put together has not exactly set alight the tournament which was introduced by Uefa for the game’s paupers.
But no other team in the Conference League can afford to take off a player like Cole Palmer at half-time and introduce a player like Noni Madueke.
Blues manager Enzo Maresca was rewarded for his change with Madueke playing a part in the first goal, scored by teenager Tyrique George, before the England international grabbed the next two goals.
Madueke’s second goal, for 3-0, came 25 seconds after striker Christopher Nkunku missed a penalty.
And while Chelsea failed to score in the first half for a seventh successive game, they are in a good place for next week’s second leg when Legia and 1000 of their notorious fans – after a five-match away ban – will head to Stamford Bridge.
For Chelsea, this was a first ever competitive game in Poland and it looks as though a second one in the same country will follow next month.
The city of Wroclaw is about 220 miles away from Warsaw. While only 742 of Chelsea’s hardcore away support were allowed into this quarter-final first leg – and they were kept in for 60 minutes after the match for their own safety – the supporters will surely be heading back here in much greater numbers on May 28.
As expected, the atmosphere inside the Polish Army Stadium was pretty lively and the home ultras’ constant use of flares is certain to land them with a Uefa fine. Another one.
Chelsea were poor in the first half and created very little with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall having their only shot on target.
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But four minutes into the second half, Reece James’ long-range shot was parried by the home keeper Kacper Tobiasz and George neatly tucked away the rebound for his first senior goal.
That certainly took the sting out of the tie and the second goal duly followed with keeper Tobiasz at fault again, this time his poor clearance being cut out by James.
Jadon Sancho, who did little in the first half but played with a bit more zip after the break, picked out Madueke and he stroked a shot into the bottom corner from near the penalty spot.
Chelsea were awarded a spot-kick after a foul on Dewsbury-Hall but Nkunku , who looks devoid of all confidence, saw his penalty saved by Tobiasz.
Yet just 25 seconds later, Sancho burst down the left and his cross was turned in at the far post by Madueke.
For Maresca, he can once again focus on claiming a top five spot in the Premier League with a game at home to Ipswich on Sunday.
And due to this result, the Italian coach can make a few more changes for the second leg before trying to clip the wings of their lofty west London neighbours Fulham three days later.