Chelsea secured a narrow 2-0 victory over Servette in the first leg of their Conference League play-off at Stamford Bridge, with second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke giving Enzo Maresca’s side a crucial advantage for the return leg in Geneva next Thursday.
Despite the win, the performance drew mixed reactions from the home fans, who voiced their dissatisfaction with the team’s display. Booing was heard as the players left the field at halftime, having failed to pose a significant attacking threat against the Swiss side, currently fifth in their domestic league.
The breakthrough came in the 50th minute when Nkunku converted a penalty, awarded after a well-placed pass from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Servette had defended resiliently until that point and had their own chances, notably when winger Dereck Kutesa nearly scored, only to be denied by Chelsea’s defense.
Madueke, who came on as a substitute, added Chelsea’s second goal, providing a more comfortable margin ahead of the second leg. Maresca made nine changes from the team that lost to Manchester City, retaining only Moises Caicedo, who captained the side for the first time, and Nkunku.
Among the new faces were six summer signings, including striker Marc Guiu, who came close to scoring early on but missed after rounding the goalkeeper. Servette also posed a threat, with Kutesa linking up with Keigo Tsunemoto before forcing a save from Chelsea’s Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea’s play often faltered in wide areas, despite frequent involvement from wingers Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto. Mudryk had a chance midway through the first half but shot wide, while Neto’s effort was easily saved by Servette’s Jeremy Frick.
In the second half, Dewsbury-Hall’s direct approach paid off, setting up Nkunku for the penalty and opening the scoring. Guiu missed an open goal, but Maresca’s decision to introduce Cole Palmer aimed to inject creativity into the team.
It was actually two other substitutes who combined for the second goal: Enzo Fernandez’s long pass found Madueke, who finished strongly at the near post. Chelsea’s defense held firm despite late chances for Servette, including a shot that hit the bar by Tiemoko Ouattara and a save by Jorgensen from Jeremy Guillemenot.
As Maresca’s second game in charge ended with Chelsea holding a two-goal lead, the team’s performance and the reaction from fans suggest there is still work to be done before the decisive return leg.
