Europa Conference League

ANTONY broke down in tears after Real Betis reached the Europa Conference League final. The La Liga side drew 2-2 with Fiorentina in the second leg of their semi-final tie in Florence on Thursday night to win 4-3 on aggregate. Antony was overcome with emotion after Real Betis reached the Europa Conference League finalCredit: GETTYThe 25-year-old broke down in tears during the celebrationsCredit: GETTYAntony scored a stunning free kick in the first half against FiorentinaCredit: SHUTTERSTOCKAntony played a huge role in Los Verdiblancos making it to the final, firing them into the lead with a stunning first-half free kick. And the Brazilian was overcome with emotion after the final whistle. Tears streamed down the winger’s face after Betis were confirmed as finalists along with Premier League outfit Chelsea. Reaching the final is the icing on the cake of what has been a remarkable career revival for Antony since he left Manchester United on loan in January. READ MORE SPORTS NEWSThe former Ajax man has scored eight goals and racked up five assists in 21 appearances since his move. And his sumptuous free kick past former Red Devil David de Gea was his third goal in as many games.The 25-year-old is loving life at Betis, saying: ” I always say that the best decision I’ve ever made was coming to Betis.”I’m happy, and when I’m happy, things go well.Most read in SportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“For me, of course, it’s important to score goals and provide assists, but being happy is even more important.“I found myself here, I’m very happy here, and things are going very well.”Moment Antony told red card has been OVERTURNED and he can play Real Madrid as Man Utd flop celebrates with team-matesAntony’s future under new Red Devils gaffer Ruben Amorim – who has guided the club to the Europa League final – is unclear.”The future? It’s very early,” the former Ajax man admitted. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”But I’m very happy here. I’ve found myself enjoying football.”It’s crazy right now, although I know how talented I am.”So I prioritised going where I knew I’d be happy, even though I had better offers.” More

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

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