Europa Conference League

Subterms

    Latest story

    213 Shares16 Views

    Chelsea ratings: Dewsbury-Hall nets goal on rare appearance in semi-final but Sancho should have troubled minnows more

    by

    CHELSEA coasted their way into the Conference League final thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half finish.Enzo Maresca’s men had done the difficult work last week with a thumping first-leg win, but Dewsbury-Hall gave the home fans something to cheer about with a smart finish.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal in the second legCredit: Shutterstock EditorialJadon Sancho struggled to impressCredit: Shutterstock EditorialTyrique George fed the midfielder, who cut inside Djurgarden defender Miro Tenho before slotting home.From there, Chelsea were going through the motions – and no wonder given how poor their Swedish visitors were.Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated the Chelsea stars…Filip Jorgensen – 6Filip Jorgensen kept a clean sheetCredit: GettyMade a couple of handy saves when needed – but the Blues keeper was never overly stretched. Did well to keep his focus.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLMalo Gusto – 6Malo Gusto showed his versatilityCredit: ReutersShowed his versatility again as Maresca moved his players here and there.Got forward well at times but, like most others out there, did not offer much in the final third.Tosin Adarabioyo – 7Tosin Adarabioyo picked up a bookingCredit: GettyCommanded the side from the back, constantly giving out instructions and always looked more than comfortable with what little the visitors were throwing at him.Played a good ball into Tyrique George in the build-up to the winner.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBenoit Badiashile – 6Benoit Badiashile saw plenty of the ballCredit: AFPThe Frenchman would love an evening like this every week – having had so little to do he barely even warrants a rating.Marc Cucurella – 6Marc Cucurella played in the midfieldCredit: GettyPlayed the whole of the first half in a midfield role, slotting in well alongside Reece James.Looked neat enough but did not have too much to do, though he supported Marsh through the first half well.Chelsea star Cole Palmer explains how 100 versions of himself would beat one gorillaReece James – 7Reece James helped control the gameCredit: GettyMarshalled the Blues well throughout the game – returned to the midfield role Maresca likes to see him in.James paid plenty of attention to debutant Marsh, putting an arm around him before kick-off using any break in play to offer some instruction and encouragement to the youngster.Josh Acheampong – 7Josh Acheampong did well in defence and midfieldCredit: APPut in an imposing display, whether from full-back or after being pushed into midfield.Maresca is a big fan of the academy graduate and, albeit against weak opposition, this was a display which showed why. Acheampong looked comfortable on the ball, especially in tight spaces in midfield, and always looked to move it forwards.Reggie Walsh – 6Reggie Walsh was given a start despite being 16Credit: ReutersLooked a little nervous early on but was given the time to grow into the game and started to put himself about, earning warm applause from his manager for a late effort from the edge of the box.Never shied away from calling from the ball.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall proved to be the matchwinnerCredit: GettyTook his goal very well, showing plenty of composure to cut inside Miro Tenho and finish low into the far corner.This competition has been the former Leicester midfielder’s only real chance to make an impact in his first season at the club and you hope he has some involvement in the final.Jadon Sancho – 6Jadon Sancho could have done moreCredit: GettyWorked hard down the left in the first half before being moved to the right after the break.Put a lot of effort in for little reward and should have troubled this bang average Djurgarden side far more.Tyrique George – 7Tyrique George got the assist for Chelsea’s goalCredit: EPAHad to lead the line in the first half, but his best moment before the break came from dropping deep, providing the assist for Dewsbury-Hall’s goal.George was given plenty of space but delivered a perfect ball through.SubstitutesShumaira Mheuka – 6The teenage striker put himself about against the Swedish defence but did not have much in the way of service.Trevoh Chalobah – 6Having been packed out on loan to Crystal Palace as a castaway at the start of the season – the defender ended the night as Blues skipper.Read More on The SunWhat a strange season. Helped his side coast through the second half.Genesis Antwi – 6Delivered a superb bit of pace and skill down the right-hand side to beat the full back, but Acheampong fluffed his lines after collecting the cross.Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge More

    More stories

    • 225 Shares13 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea 1 Djurgarden 0 (5-1 agg): Forgotten man Dewsbury-Hall scores as youthful Blues ease into Conference League final

      by

      THE pubs stayed open later to celebrate VE Day and Chelsea fans poured out of Stamford Bridge to toast their stroll into the Conference League final.Unfortunately, young Reggie Walsh was unable to join them.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is mobbed after his 38th-minute openerCredit: GettyThe midfielder lashed home the only goalCredit: AlamyAt 16 years and 200 days old, the midfielder wouldn’t have got served without a fake ID.But then the Year 11 schoolboy was giddy enough simply from becoming Chelsea’s youngest starter for almost 60 years last night. He didn’t need a pint to get light-headed.Walsh was a surprise name on the start list for a European semi final given he only made his debut for the club’s Under 18s this football season.It is also exam season and most boys of Walsh’s age will be busy revising or fretting about sitting in a silent hall being put to the test in a different way for their GCSEs.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSChelsea’s newest talent to emerge from the academy was more worried about a misplaced pass or finding the going a bit tough on his big night.Luckily, his more experienced team-mates took care of business with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall rifling home a shot seven minutes before half time to rub salt into the wounds of the abject Swedes.Chelsea are now on their way to Wroclaw – a picturesque part of Poland – and will bid to make history by becoming the first team to win all of their current trophies on offer: Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup and Conference League.The Butcher’s Hook boozer opposite the ground where Chelsea was founded 120 years ago was allowed to stay open until 1AM to commemorate a different kind of victory in Europe in 1945.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWalsh is unlikely to play in the final on May 28 but is considered an intelligent and composed character on the ball, He has already represented England at U-16, U-16 and U-17 level.It’s credit to Chelsea that you don’t have to be a power lifter to at least get your chance – Billy Gilmour being the prime example of that.Chelsea star Cole Palmer explains how 100 versions of himself would beat one gorillaWalsh came off the bench in last week’s first leg in Sweden to become the youngest player to turn out for the first team since Ian ‘Chico’ Hamilton in 1967.With this tie already over as boss Enzo Maresca’s team enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 lead going into this return game and the opposition if you can call them that are truly dreadful, it was time to chill and take Chelsea’s renowned youth policy to a new baby-faced level.Maresca has employed the youngest squad in the Premier League this campaign at just 23 and a half years old.That’s positively grey-haired in comparison to rookie Walsh who will have only just received his National Insurance card last October.The evening had a weird feel to it. One game away from a final in a competition Chelsea have never won yet the bench was far stronger than the starting XI.Chelsea ratings vs Djurgarden as Dewsbury-Hall makes most of rare start but Sancho should have done betterCHELSEA coasted their way into the Conference League final thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half finish.Enzo Maresca’s men had done the difficult work last week with a thumping first-leg win.But Dewsbury-Hall gave the home fans something to cheer about with a smart finish.Tyrique George fed the midfielder, who cut inside Djurgarden defender Miro Tenho before slotting home.From there, Chelsea were going through the motions – and no wonder given how poor their Swedish visitors were.Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated the Chelsea stars…In addition to a cast member from Grange Hill on the left hand side of midfield in Walsh, 19-year-old Josh Acheampong was called up to a hugely reshuffed line up.It’s not that Maresca disrespects the tournament, more that the level of competition Chelsea have faced in this third-tier competition has been League One at best, non-League at worst.It’s arguable that for all the noise and bluster of the Swedish hordes who took over Stamford Bridge on every side, their team is one of the worst despite getting to the last four.Reggie Walsh made his full debut and here was fouled by Daniel StenssonCredit: Shutterstock EditorialSo much so that Marc Cucurella was the only player to kick off last night’s game having also started against new Premier League champions Liverpool at the weekend.What a contrast a few days can make in football.Maresca was clearly convinced that the tie was in the bag and had his mind on more pressing matters.That is the task of Champions League qualification for next season so that they can wave goodbye to tinpot European competition like this.A trip to fourth placed Newcastle on Sunday beckons and with both teams pegged level on points, it’s a far testier occasion than last night’s routine progression – albeit into a final.Chelsea’s big guns were kept in reserve on the bench to keep legs fresh.Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, new Player of the Year Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson all watching and waiting for a little run out if need be.Read More on The SunAt half time Maresca brought on forward Shumaira Mheuka – who was Chelsea’s youngest starter having played in Copenhagen in the round of 16.Still only 17, he held the record for barely two months until Walsh nabbed it from him. Chelsea are boys in blue in every sense. More

    • 213 Shares17 Views

      in Soccer

      Chaos at Stamford Bridge as Djurgarden fans jump over barriers and clash in away end against Chelsea

      by

      CHELSEA’S Europa Conference League clash with Djurgarden descended into chaos even BEFORE the match as fans of the Swedish club scaled the barriers to join their fellow travelling supporters.Scores of Djurgarden fans made the trip from Sweden for the second leg of their semi-final tie at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea welcomed Djugardens IF to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final on ThursdayCredit: GettyDjurgarden fans turned up in their droves for the match at Stamford BridgeCredit: SHUTTERSTOCKScores of them had tickets in the away end but scaled the barrier to join their fellow supporters in the away endCredit: SHUTTERSTOCKA handful of Djurgarden fans ended up confronting the policeCredit: SHUTTERSTOCKSome desperate fans of the Swedish team had to make do with tickets in the home end.And scores of them stunningly leapt over the barriers between themselves and their fellow supporters after discovering the club seemingly hadn’t sold its entire allocation.Fans could be seen ignoring stewards’ warnings and scaling the barriers to sit in the away end.Footage of Djugarden fans storming the away end went viral.READ MORE ON CHELSEAChelsea later released a statement, saying: “At the start of this evening’s #UECL match, Chelsea FC were aware some away fans gained access to areas of the stadium in violation of our ticketing policy.””The Chelsea supporters sitting in the immediate areas impacted were relocated, with additional security and police deployed.”One viewer said: “This is actually jokes.”Another said: “The fact they somehow managed to get home tickets for a European semi-final is very embarrassing.”Most read in FootballStewards couldn’t contain the Djurgarden fans who rushed the barrierCredit: GETTYAnd another said: ” I don’t think this is allowed. They should be sitting in their allocated seats in the away end.”One remarked: “Eject them.”Chelsea star Cole Palmer explains how 100 versions of himself would beat one gorillaDjurgarden travelled to Stamford Bridge with an absolute mountain to climb following a 4-1 defeat in the first leg last Thursday.And the tie was put beyond them in the 38th minute when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck to put the West Londoners into a 5-1 aggregate lead.The Blues will play Real Betis in the final on May 28 after an Antony-inspired victory over Fiorentina.Chelsea ratings vs Djurgarden as Dewsbury-Hall makes most of rare start but Sancho should have done betterCHELSEA coasted their way into the Conference League final thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half finish.Enzo Maresca’s men had done the difficult work last week with a thumping first-leg win.But Dewsbury-Hall gave the home fans something to cheer about with a smart finish.Tyrique George fed the midfielder, who cut inside Djurgarden defender Miro Tenho before slotting home.From there, Chelsea were going through the motions – and no wonder given how poor their Swedish visitors were.Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated the Chelsea stars… More

    • 225 Shares23 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea vs Djurgarden LIVE SCORE: Conference League updates as Maresca’s Blues close in on final spot – latest

      by

      CHELSEA host Djurgarden in the second leg of their Conference League semi-final TONIGHT.The Blues are all but in the final after Enzo Maresca’s men dominated the first leg last week with a 4-1 win.It would require a monumental collapse from Chelsea for them not to progress past the Swedish minnows this evening.Kick off time: 8pm BSTTV channel: TNT Sports 3Live stream: discovery+Chelsea team: To follow…Djurgarden team: To follow…CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…Cole Palmer back in the goalsCole Palmer spent a while away from the back of the net, but managed to get a HUGE goal to secure Chelsea a win over Liverpool at the weekend.Copy linkCopiedOne for the futureEstevao has got Chelsea fans excited, with his talent getting him compared to the likes of Neymar.He scored another stunning goal for Palmeiras last weekend, can he bring the talent to London?Copy linkCopiedA big momentum builderChelsea picked up three crucial points in their pursuit of the Champions League on their way into this clash.They beat Premier League champions Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.Admittedly, Liverpool have nothing to play for, so once going 2-0 down, motivation to get back into it would have been low.But, for Cole Palmer, ending his run without a goal would have been a much better feeling than three points.Can he kick on tonight, and guide Chelsea into the Conference League final?Copy linkCopiedGood afternoon!Here we go! Chelsea have one foot in the Europa Conference League final and are facing Djugarden at home to finish their semi-final job.Enzo Maresca’s side hold a 4-1 lead over the Swedish side heading into the second leg and should be confident of reaching the final in Poland.The Blues have a full strength squad to choose from with even Marc Guiu having a chance to get back into the side.Big night ahead in West London!Credit: GettyCopy linkCopied More

    • 250 Shares15 Views

      in Soccer

      Enzo Maresca says Chelsea ‘are back’ but vows Blues will ‘win and bin’ Conference League as they target Europe’s elite

      by

      ENZO MARESCA claims Chelsea “are back” if they win the Conference League.The Blues — who last lifted a pot in February 2022 at the Club World Cup — are one step from the final.Enzo Maresca wants to win the Conference LeagueCredit: GettyChelsea are preparing for the second leg of the semi-finalCredit: PAChelsea beat Djurgarden 4-1 in the first legCredit: GettyAnd they will be the first club to win all four major European trophies if they go all the way.Maresca said: “It’s the only trophy that Chelsea haven’t won in the past and we can become the first club in Europe to win all the European competitions. So it’s good for the club.“Winning the Conference League trophy is a statement in terms of that.“You can say Chelsea are back because first of all you win a trophy and it’s more a way to start and to build a winning mentality with this squad.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Conference League is considered a third-rate tournament way below the Blues’ lofty ambitions.Chelsea — who have previously locked the Champions League, Europa League and Super Cup trophies in their cabinet — are putting a positive spin on it to lift the fans.Maresca also wants to boost the confidence of the Prem’s youngest squad — and a team of kids likely to include the likes of Tyrique George, 19.Beating Prem champs Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday has given Chelsea a boost.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSForward Cole Palmer followed up his goal by enjoying his 23rd birthday on Tuesday.Maresca said: “Cole had a good game against Liverpool, scored a goal, and then he celebrated his birthday.Chelsea star Cole Palmer explains how 100 versions of himself would beat one gorillaChelsea beat Liverpool on the weekend to boost their Champions League hopesCredit: GettyCole Palmer broke his goal drought with to make it 3-1Credit: Alamy“We had a session, I don’t know if he did something different, but he’s in a good mood.”Chelsea will have less than 72 hours to recover from their semi-final second leg against Swedish side Djurgardens before an important match at Newcastle — one of their main rivals for a Champions League place next season.Maresca said: “Last week we arrived here in the UK at 4-5 o’clock in the morning from Sweden and then Sunday we had the game.“It will be the same this weekend but we’re going to try to be ready for this game and for Sunday’s game.”Chelsea enjoy a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg but Maresca will not ease up with his tactics.He said: “We try for every game to start with the best XI.”Despite the aim to win the competition, Maresca suggested it is a “win it and bin it mission”.The manager is already setting his sights on more glamorous competitions moving forward.He said: “Hopefully in the future we can be in different competitions but, at the moment, the reality is the reality.”We need to start from there. We’re playing in the Conference League.”If you play in the Conference you cannot win the Champions League — if you play in the Conference League you cannot win the Europa League.”If you play in the Conference the only trophy you can win is this. We’ll try our best to reach the final and then to win it.”It’s a good starting point to start to build a winning mentality and win games and trophies.”I try to convince the players that first of all, day by day, you have to build the winner’s mentality, try to win from the play-off and try to win this competition.”Victory in Poland on May 28 is purely an unromantic box-ticking exercise, designed to trigger a new era of success at Stamford Bridge in bigger and better competitions.In 2019, it was a similar story when Maurizio Sarri led them to the Europa League title against Arsenal in Azerbaijan.Chelsea had already finished third to qualify for the next season’s Champions League. The Europa League was a night out but an irrelevance.Maresca is painting an upbeat vision of the future as he approaches the end of his first season in charge. One full of highs and lows to reflect life at Chelsea.But it is also an honest admission of how far the club have fallen from their once domineering presence as serial champions.Chelsea have won the Champions League twice in their recent historyCredit: GettyThe most recent success came in 2021 as the Blues beat Man CityCredit: AFPA staggering 19 trophies in the 19 years under former owner Roman Abramovich, then turmoil.Turmoil of Abramovich’s fire sale in light of the Russia-Ukraine war, the emergency takeover by an American-led consortium, plus five managers in just over three years.And more than a billion quid splurged assembling a squad which finished sixth last season and 12th the year before.Even for a club that once tried to electrocute their own fans with high-voltage perimeter fencing, that is a dramatic turn of events.If Abramovich was still in charge, it is unlikely Chelsea would be stooping so low as to face Sweden’s 11th best team in Europe’s third-rate competition.Maresca admits Chelsea deserve to be where they are — a launchpad to success.As a midfielder, Maresca won three European trophies: the old Uefa Cup twice and the Super Cup with Sevilla.This came after landing the Italian title with Juventus. All of the triumphs are stepping stones.He said: “It’s important because it shapes you a little bit. All the experience.“Probably the best experience in terms of winning mentality was with Juventus. It’s a club where you realise even in training sessions you want to win the small-sided game.“So it’s a winner’s mentality. It’s nice to win trophies because you learn how to win.“We mentioned many times that Chelsea is a big club with many important trophies in the past.“But we need to learn how to win with this squad.”Captain Reece James is a Champions League winner. Vice-skipper Enzo Fernandez was part of the World Cup-winning Argentina squad in 2022.There are other gongs scattered here and there but, by and large, the Chelsea dressing room does not mirror the club’s glittering past.Maresca is wary of Djurgardens despite his team’s commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg.Chelsea beat Legia Warsaw 3-0 away in the last round and crashed to a  2-1 defeat at home in the second leg because they felt too comfortable.Read More on The SunMaresca chastised his players for that performance and will not tolerate a repeat. He said: “After the first leg, I said that the second game against Warsaw was not good enough.“So that experience hopefully is going to help us, the players and us, to win again and continue to build the momentum.”Win a trip to the UEFA Conference League Final in Wroclaw with Hankook More

    • 213 Shares47 Views

      in Soccer

      Supercomputer predicts final Premier League table with race for Champions League places going down to the wire

      by

      THE race for the Champions League spots is set to go down the wire as Prem teams jockey for position.With English sides having performed well in Europe this term, the Premier League has been awarded an extra Champions League place for next season.The race for Europa took a further twist as Forest failed to beat Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyThis means that the top five will all enter Europe’s premier competition in the 2025-26 campaign.Having already won the title, Liverpool have sewn up their place at Europe’s top table for next season.Second placed Arsenal are then in pole position to join the Reds, sitting six points above sixth with three matches remaining.Manchester City currently occupy third – with Newcastle fourth and Chelsea fifth.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing last night’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest are now on the outside looking in at sixth.While Aston Villa are seventh, but will still believe that they are in the hunt.With the race hotting up, boffins and brainiacs over at AceOdds have crunched the numbers to determine how the final Premier League table is likely to look.They reckon that out-of-form Arsenal will win two of their final three matches to seal second spot, and thus a place in the Champions League next season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMikel Arteta’s side will travel to Liverpool this weekend, before hosting Newcastle the following Sunday and finishing with a trip to relegated Southampton.In third, the supercomputer has Manchester City finishing two points back from Arsenal.Premier League manager starts new tradition of joining fans at local pubs if club wins It reckons that Pep Guardiola’s men will collect seven points from their last three games; as they travel to Southampton and Fulham either side of a home assignment against Bournemouth.Newcastle are tipped to finish in fourth place, as the Carabao Cup winners are backed to collect two wins and a defeat from their final three matches.Eddie Howe’s side will host Chelsea and Everton either side of their trip to Arsenal.Somewhat surprisingly, the supercomputer backs Aston Villa to win all three of their remaining games to vault up from seventh into fifth.Unai Emery’s men travel to Bournemouth this weekend, before hosting Tottenham in a match likely to be moved from its current Sunday slot to next Friday night – with Spurs potentially distracted by the upcoming Europa League final, should they make it.Villa then finish their campaign with a trip Manchester United, who will likely have played in the Europa League final in Bilbao four days earlier.The supercomputer reckons that Chelsea will only collect four more points to fall out of the top five.The Blues have awkward trips to Newcastle and Nottingham Forest to come, either side of a home assignment against Man Utd.Forest are backed to win two of their remaining three games, against Leicester, West Ham and Chelsea, but still finish behind the Blues on goal difference.Sixth place will earn a spot in the Europa League.Winning the FA Cup also carries a Europa League place, meaning that Crystal Palace could qualify by winning the competition.Should City win the FA Cup, by virtue of them having already qualified for Europe higher up the table, the Europa League spot would pass down to the team that finishes seventh in the league.Newcastle qualified for the Europa Conference League by winning the EFL Cup.But if the Toon qualify for the Champions League or Europa League via their league position, that Europa Conference League spot would be passed down to the next-best placed team in the Premier League table.This means that the team in eighth could earn a Europa Conference League spot.By winning this season’s Europa Conference League, Chelsea would earn themselves a place in next season’s Europa League.But Enzo Maresca’s side will hope to have already secured at least a Europa League spot via their Premier League finish.Finally, the Supercomputer predicts Man Utd and Tottenham to finish 14th and 16th respectively.Read More on The SunIf one of those two teams wins the Europa League, however, they will automatically enter the league phase of next season’s Champions League, despite their lowly Prem positions.An English side winning the Europa League, coupled with Crystal Palace winning the FA Cup, would see 10 Premier League sides in Europe next season – with six in the Champions League, three in the Europa League and one in the Europa Conference League.Tottenham or Man Utd could salvage a Champions League spot by winning the Europa LeagueCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares41 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch Antony score goal so good even opposition pay their respect as Man Utd loanee stars against Fiorentina

      by

      ANTONY continued to mock his Manchester United plight with a real belter for Real Betis – and even the opposition agreed.The revitalised Betis loanee is scenting a Conference League final with Chelsea after his half-volley humdinger against Fiorentina.Antony lasered home an unstoppable goalThe Brazil winger added to a thunderbolt opener from Abde Ezzalzouli to double the Spaniards’ lead.Luca Ranieri gave Fiorentina hope for the return leg in Italy by slamming a 73rd-minute reply.But the Serie A club were so awed by Antony’s strike that they made their feelings official!Fiorentina’s media team posted a picture of the 25-year-old celebrating and added: “A great goal by Antony.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDFans loved that response almost as much as they appreciated the former Ajax hero’s net-buster.One said: “This is how sport should look like.”Another wrote: “Respect between clubs is underrated. That was a great goal, no denying it.”And a third posted: “When you recognize greatness.”Most read in FootballBetis team-mates rushed to mob scorer AntonyCredit: EPABEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKA fourth added: “Such a beautiful moment.”And one viewer even suggested that Antony’s form, since switching from Old Trafford, is up there with the best players in the world.He commented: “No breathing space for Vini, Mbappe, and Lamine.”Meanwhile, fans of his current team are hoping he stays permanently.One posted: “He is at home, Betis make a good offer.”Antony will hope to end the season by showing Prem stars what they might be missing – by reaching the Conference League final.Chelsea seem assured of reaching that stage after outclassing Djurgarden 4-1 during Thursday’s first leg in Sweden. But Antony and Co have a far tougher task, taking just a 2-1 lead to Florence next week.Antony’s miserable Man Utd spell came to a temporary end in JanuaryCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares46 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Betis and Fiorentina fans clash before Euro semi-final as supporters are attacked with FIREWORK GUN and chairs fly

      by

      A FOOTBALL hooligan sparked chaos with a FIREWORK GUN as rival fans clashed.Real Betis host Fiorentina in tonight’s Conference League semi-final first leg in Seville. A football hooligan blasted a fireworks gun in SevilleCredit: https://x.com/Barras_LATAMReal Betis and Fiorentina fans clash before their Conference League semi-finalCredit: https://x.com/Barras_LATAMAnd things kicked off in the town centre the night before kick-off at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Dramatic video footage showed the two sets of supporters involved in shocking warfare.One clip featured an individual holding the weapon repeatedly shooting out fireworks in rapid succession towards the opposing group.A few fireworks are then launched back in the other direction while chairs go flying. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIn another video, a huge group of fans in dark jackets chase their enemies down a narrow street, as the others tried to scamper away from danger.Things had calmed down by Thursday afternoon and the Real Betis fans gave their team a hero’s welcome as they arrived at the stadium.The green bus was met with a sea of scarves, a cloud of smoke and a wall of chanting from the adoring home supporters. Manuel Pellegrini’s side beat Jagiellonia Bialystok in the quarters while Fiorentina edged past Celje. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOn-loan winger Antony will hope be desperate to fire past David De Gea to give his side into a first-leg lead to take to Italy for next week’s second leg. The winners of the tie will face either Chelsea or Swedish outfit Djurgarden in the final in Poland on May 28.How PSG tricked Arsenal to gain Champions League semi-final advantageChelsea added Cole Palmer to their Conference League squad for the knockout stages.And he will be hoping to rediscover his goalscoring boots on the plastic pitch in Stockholm after failing to score in his last 17 appearances – dating back to January 14.The Blues will also debut their front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2024-25 season on May 1.Chelsea finally struck a deal with Dubai-based property company Damac. The drama took place on Wednesday night before Thursday’s matchCredit: https://x.com/Barras_LATAMOne group of supporters chased another down a narrow streetCredit: https://x.com/Barras_LATAMChairs went flying in the town centreCredit: https://x.com/Barras_LATAMIt was unclear which team’s fans started the warfareCredit: https://x.com/Barras_LATAM More

    • 213 Shares78 Views

      in Soccer

      Djurgarden vs Chelsea LIVE RESULT: Conference League semi-final updates as Blues run rout in Sweden thanks to Jackson

      by

      CHELSEA take a comfortable advantage against Djurgarden back to Stamford Bridge following a rout in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final.The Blues controlled early exchanges before Jadon Sancho got on the end of a quick move to slide it past the hapless Jacob Rinne in goal with the aid of a deflection. Chelsea’s dominance would become more substantial as winger Noni Maaduke swept home a finish from yards out following a swift interchange. In the interval the West Londoners would make three changes, with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both getting a run-out. Jackson would display a fresh pair of wheels and impetus as he pick-pocketed a mistake from the hosts defensive unit to waltz the third in on the hour mark. Five minutes later, the Senegalese striker would grab his second and his side fourth to extend the rout. Nonetheless, the hosts commendable effort would result in a goal a few minutes later as Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta headed in from a few yards out. Full-time result: Djurgarden 1-4 ChelseaCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…Enzo’s Reg verdictEnzo Maresca tried to keep a calm head over new starlet Reggie Walsh.The Chelsea chief said: “He is young, he looks very good.”But he needs to continue to work and learn and grow.”Walsh, 16, has been with the Blues for nine years.Copy linkCopiedFans raving over ReggieChelsea fans loved 16-year-old Reggie Walsh making his debut.The smiling midfielder exchanged touching moments with far more senior team-mates – as well as manager Enzo Maresca – as he came on for a cameo in Stockholm.Viewers enjoyed this heartwarming moment as Enzo Maresca brought on Reggie Walsh in the Conference League semi-finalCredit: ReutersOne supporter posted: “Maresca should be praised for bringing in youngsters and taking care of their professional career.”Others called Walsh “super good” and “great” with a fourth saying: “Good shift.”However, one fan lamented: “God, I feel old.”The Blues themselves heralded Walsh’s 88th-minute arrival as a sub by posting: “A proud moment for young Reggie Walsh who comes on for his Chelsea debut!”Copy linkCopiedTwo-goal hero Jackson hails team effortTwo-goal sub Nicolas Jackson says Chelsea should be chuffed with their smooth victory.Jackson told TNT Sports: “Very good performance. “The most important thing is that we won. It is one step forward and we hope to reach the final.”Nicolas Jackson hit Chelsea’s last two goals in a 4-1 winCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedEnzo celebrates ‘perfect night’Chelsea chief Enzo Maresca claims the 4-1 Conference League fist-leg win at Djurgarden couldn’t have gone better.Maresca told TNT Sports: “It was the perfect night – an important semi-final and it is a good result.”But he warned: “We need to be focused on the second leg.”The first 70 minutes was good but then in the last 20 minutes we dropped a little bit. “But we cannot drop, we cannot relax because otherwise it is complicated. “We have done a good job but now we need to finish the job at home.”Credit: RexCopy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 Chelsea – one foot in finalSub Nicolas Jackson struck twice to put Chelsea one leg away from the Conference League final.And it should be a Stamford Bridge cruise through next week.CLICK BELOW FOR OUR FULL MATCH REPORTCopy linkCopiedRESULT: Djurgarden 1-4 ChelseaEfficiency all round for the Blues – with a well-deserved three-goal winning margin.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 Chelsea90. There’s a rare flare-up as Chelsea react angrily to a foul and a niggle from Tobias Gulliksen – who is booked.We’ve two minutes of added timeCopy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 Chelsea87. The Blues are finding regular gaps now.And Maresca brought on 16-year-old debutant Reggie Walsh – for fellow teenager George.And Walsh almost netted an excellent effort with his first touch.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 Chelsea82. Djurgarden are doing all they can – creating sparks of pressure.But there’s a class gap.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 Chelsea79. Stahl blazed high for Djurgarden.And neither he nor his team-mates could believe he missed.But at least the Swedes are fighting.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 ChelseaIt was actually quite embarrassing for Chelsea that Djurgarden scored a goal. They are terrible, writes ANDY DILLON.The ironic cheers from their fans in celebration told you just what a mismatch this is.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 Chelsea77. Dewsbury-Hall slotted a low left-wing corner that was half-cleared.Palmer’s firm sidefoot from the edge of the box was then parried away.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 ChelseaPredictably the Blues are cruising now.And with Caicedo an impressive presence in the middle there looks little way back for the Swedes.74. But then Nguen wriggled through, only to be blocked out near the Blues’ six-yard box.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 ChelseaChelsea quickly regained the impetus.And they are passing the ball around in relaxed style.72. Sancho is squeezed out down the left after Palmer got in on the action down the middle. Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 1-4 Chelsea68. Sub Isak Alemayehu nodded home at the back post – for a surprise and instant reply.That’s the 18-year-old’s first goal at senior level – with Gulliksen the supplier via a teasing left-wing cross.And what a reception that goal got!Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Djurgarden 1-4 ChelseaCopy linkCopiedGOAL! Djurgarden 0-4 ChelseaDjurgarden are showing plenty of spirit.But you just sense that Chelsea will have not just one or two, but a few opportunities on the counter-attack.64. Sure enough, Jackson dispatched a wonderful fourth goal – shifting the ball onto his left foot for a top-corner special just inside the box.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 0-3 ChelseaJackson was just chasing a hopeful long ball down the middle.But as he homed in on the box, the hosts’ keeper and defender dallied, then made the situation worse as they attempted to clear.Jackson squirmed the ball past them – and was left with a tap-in when the ball broke towards goal.Technically Palmer was the goal provider – but Djurgarden had most of the responsibility.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Djurgarden 0-3 Chelsea59. Jackson is gifted Chelsea’s third from an incredible mix-up between keeper and defender.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 0-2 Chelsea57. The pace has dipped a bit now.But Finndell had a shot blocked away to prevent any hint of danger.Djurgarden are straight back on the attack, though. Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 0-2 ChelseaSo far the Blues look weaker after bringing on four first-choice stars at the break.But that’s a lot to do with Djurgarden’s raised tempo.And the Swedes might have to profit from this spell pretty quickly – as Chelsea will surely settle again soon. Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 0-2 Chelsea54. Palmer’s first intervention – but he’s blocked out in the box with the minimum of fuss.But at least it’s some sort of response from Chelsea.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 0-2 ChelseaIt’s such a different game now.Djurgarden have decided urgency and pressing are the only tactics.52. Nguen was denied to spark more pressureForgensen then produced a top-quality save.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 0-2 Chelsea50. Finn margins!Djurgarden’s corner was eventually taken.And the ensuing scramble on the edge of the box led to Finndell lashing a low right-footer wide.Copy linkCopiedDjurgarden 0-2 Chelsea48. The Swedes have had plenty of possession early in the second period.And Chelsea sub Chalobah has just conceded a corner.Copy linkCopied More