‘It’d be stupid to say we can’t win it’ – Chelsea through in Conference League

SourceBBC

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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea sealed their place in the Conference League quarter-finals with a forgettable second-leg win over Copenhagen.

The midfielder showed quick feet on the edge of the box before bundling through a pair of challenges and finishing clinically across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner 10 minutes into the second half.

Chelsea, who held a 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg, were second best in the first half and there were some boos at the end of an opening 45 minutes in which the home side did not have a shot.

Copenhagen were full of energy and attacking intent, showing no sign of nerves at Stamford Bridge, but lacked the quality and decision making in the final third to hurt the hosts.

Cole Palmer, who started on the bench having missed training sessions earlier in the week through illness, was sent on for the second half and played his part in a much-improved display from Enzo Maresca’s side.

After Dewsbury-Hall put them in front, Palmer came close to ending a goal drought that now stretches to 10 games as he drove forward and sent his shot narrowly wide.

While Copenhagen attempted to force their way back into the tie, Chelsea were comfortable.

The visitors had to wait until stoppage time to create a real chance of note when Rodrigo Huescas broke into the box but fired his shot over the bar.

Chelsea progress, though, and will face Polish side Legia Warsaw in the last eight.

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

“It’s not arrogant from us but we just know the quality that we have in the squad.”