Second-Half Spark Seals Chelsea’s Quarter-Final Spot Despite Lackluster Performance

Chelsea sealed their place in the Conference League quarter-finals with a hard-fought, if uneventful, 1-0 win over Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge.

A solitary second-half strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was enough to send the Blues through, but the performance left plenty to be desired.

The match got off to a sluggish start. Chelsea, already leading 2-1 aggregate from the first leg in Denmark, showed little urgency in the first half, offering no shots on goal and only fleeting moments of promise.

In contrast, Copenhagen took the game to Chelsea with high energy and attacking intent, but they were lacking in the final third, unable to convert pressure into meaningful chances.

Stamford Bridge became increasingly restless as the home side struggled to find their rhythm.

Cole Palmer, having missed training earlier in the week due to illness, was introduced at the start of the second half and injected a much-needed spark.

The England international’s influence was immediate.

With sharper passing and more direct running, Chelsea’s attacking play improved dramatically.

It was Palmer’s involvement in the build-up that helped create space for Dewsbury-Hall, who, in the 55th minute, latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box.

With quick feet and strength, Dewsbury-Hall squeezed through two Copenhagen defenders before clinically finishing across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner, giving Chelsea a vital 1-0 lead on the night.

Despite Chelsea’s dominance after the goal, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Palmer, still searching for his first goal in 10 games, came close to ending his drought when he drove forward and curled a shot just wide of the post.

The Blues, though, looked more assured after Dewsbury-Hall’s goal and controlled the match comfortably.

Copenhagen tried to push for an equalizer, but their efforts were few and far between, with their best opportunity coming in stoppage time when Rodrigo Huescas burst into the box only to fire his shot high and wide.

The win saw Chelsea progress with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline and set up a quarter-final clash with Polish side Legia Warsaw.

According to BNC, it was far from a vintage Chelsea performance, but manager Enzo Maresca remained upbeat about his team’s progress.

“It’s important to reach the quarter-finals,” Maresca said.

“Now, the target is the semi-finals. We deserved it over two legs, and we adjusted better in the second half. You need patience.”

Despite the win, there was no hiding the frustration that simmered in the first half.

The home crowd voiced their displeasure with the lack of attacking creativity, while the absence of Cole Palmer’s spark in the opening period was sorely felt.

But as the game went on, it became clear that the young winger remains central to Chelsea’s attacking plans, even when he’s struggling to find the back of the net.

Dewsbury-Hall, who was at the heart of Chelsea’s only moment of quality in the match, made his feelings clear post-match.

“Chelsea has won the Champions League, the Europa League, and it would be stupid of us to say we can’t win this,” he told TNT Sports.

“It’s not arrogant, we just know the quality we have in the squad.”

There’s no doubt that Chelsea will need to improve if they’re to continue their European journey, but with Palmer continuing to grow into his role and Dewsbury-Hall’s clinical touch, the Blues will fancy their chances against Legia Warsaw in the next round.

As Maresca said, “We have to give the fans and the club a title.”