Chelsea moved a step closer to the Europa Conference League final with a dominant 4-1 away win over Swedish side Djurgarden in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Thursday night.
Enzo Maresca’s side overcame an unfamiliar artificial surface and a lively home crowd to establish a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg in London.
Jadon Sancho opened the scoring in the 13th minute when his effort took a deflection off Marcus Danielson and beat goalkeeper Jacob Rinne.
Chelsea doubled their lead just before halftime, with Noni Madueke finishing off a neat move after a well-timed layoff from Enzo Fernandez.
Djurgarden responded strongly early in the second half, with Hampus Finndell and Adam Stahl both going close, but it was Chelsea who struck next.
Substitute Nicolas Jackson capitalised on a mix-up between Danielson and Rinne to score Chelsea’s third in the 59th minute.
The Senegalese forward added a second six minutes later, firing into the top corner after Moises Caicedo forced a turnover deep in the opposition half.
Isak Alemayehu pulled one back for the hosts in the 68th minute with a well-placed header, but Djurgarden failed to build on that momentum.
Stahl missed a clear-cut opportunity minutes later, squandering a chance to reduce the deficit point-blank.
Chelsea will host the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week, with a place in the final firmly in their grasp.
