Nkunku in the goals as Chelsea earn nervy first-leg win over Servette

Enzo Maresca could eventually enjoy a first victory as Chelsea manager, as second-half strikes saw The Blues down Servette in the two sides’ UEFA Conference League play-off first leg.

After a lacklustre first half in which they were second best, the makeshift Chelsea side – with nine changes from their Premier League opener – needed fresh impetus after the break.

And they did come out with more purpose, taking the lead within five minutes when Christopher Nkunku smashed home a penalty after being brought down needlessly by Servette goalkeeper Jeremy Frick.

In the aftermath, Marc Guiu should have added another, but with 14 minutes remaining Noni Madueke ensured The Blues accrued a healthy lead to take to Switzerland for the second leg next week.

The scoreline should have been less flattering with substitute Jeremy Guillemenot missing a gilt-edged chance in the final minute.

Talking Point – Chelsea avoid potential banana skin

Maresca’s compatriot, the dearly, departed Gianluca Vialli, had his time as Chelsea manager swiftly ended at the hands of Swiss opposition just over 24 years ago.

While even Todd Boehly would not have made a similar call to the one Ken Bates did after defeat to St Gallen, after this match the pall of doom at Stamford Bridge could have been near unbearable if the visitors had converted their first-half dominance into goals.

There were chinks of light for Maresca after the break. The man he brought from Leicester, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, suggested with his play that he could belong at this level, while Noni Madueke was an exciting presence off the bench. Tosin Adarabioyo also looked calm and capable at centre-back.

Mostly though, this will have been a sigh of relief for Maresca ahead of their trip to Molineux on Sunday, knowing a result is required to quell the bad vibes surrounding the club from percolating again.

Player of the Match – Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea)

It was far from a complete performance but even in the first half when getting little support from team-mates, he and Dewsbury-Hall at least looked sharp.

Early in the second half, it was his desire to take players on which saw Servette drop deep and allow The Blues to dominate.

As is often the case with him, his end product was lacking – something symptomatic of many of the forwards at Stamford Bridge – but his energy and creation would have been welcomed by his new manager.

Player Ratings

Chelsea: Jorgensen 7; Renato Veiga 6, Tosin 7, Badiashile 6, Disasi 6; Dewsbury-Hall 7, Caicedo 7; Pedro Neto 6, Nkunku 7, Mudryk 7*; Guiu 5.

Subs: Fernandez 6, Palmer 6, Madueke 7, Gusto 5, Lavia 6.

Servette: Frick 5; Tsunemoto 6, Rouiller 6, Severin 6, Mazikou 6; Douline 6, Ondoua 7, Cognat 6; Stevanovic 7, Kutesa 6; Crivelli 5.

Subs: Antune 6, Guillemenot 7, Von Moos 6, Magnin 6, Ouattara 6.

Match Highlights

49′ PENALTY FOR CHELSEA! Nkunku is played through by Dewsbury-Hall and he is brought down by Frick who brings down the forward.

50′ GOAL! CHELSEA (NKUNKU) 1-0 SERVETTE! Nkunku gets up and smashes the penalty home for the Blues to give them the lead.

52′ GREAT CHANCE SPURNED BY GUIU! He did really well to close down Frick’s clearance but then with the goal gaping he shot weakly allowing the Servette stopper to save and then a better rebound effort forced a good parry.

76′ GOAL! CHELSEA (MADUEKE) 2-0 SERVETTE! He has looked lively since he came on and Madueke here latches onto a pass from Fernandez behind the Servette fall back and he lashes the ball high inside the near post.

82′ JORGENSEN DENIES GUILLEMENOT! Gusto gives the ball away with a square ball and the substitute drills an effort aimed just inside the post but the Blues keeper dives to his right to parry away.

90′ GUILLEMENOT SPURNS EFFORT FROM FIVE YARDS OUT! He was left unmarked from a corner but he could not keep the bouncing ball down.

90+5′ GUILLEMENOT WITH ANOTHER GOOD CHANCE! This time he hits the target but Jorgensen gets down smartly to parry away.

Key Stat

8 – Servette had eight more shots at goal than Chelsea, 22 to the hosts’ 14, but could not make this advantage count.Watch the 2024-25 Premier League live on TNT Sports and discovery+