Nkunku goal lifts Blues in Europa Conference League

Christopher Nkunku’s first home goal for Chelsea gave the Blues relief by putting them ahead against Servette after an uninspired first half in their Uefa Europa Conference League play-off first leg.

France forward Nkunku was brought down by goalkeeper Jeremy Frick three minutes into the second half, returning to his feet to fire in a penalty and open his side’s account for the season.

Full Chelsea debutant Marc Guiu should have doubled their advantage four minutes later, miskicking in front of an open goal when he was gifted possession by Frick.

Forward Guiu, signed from Barcelona for £5 million in July, had three attempts to score in the sequence but could not capitalise from straightforward positions.

Beautiful. #CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/X91OJ0HeCJ

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 22, 2024

Chelsea vs Servette: Nkunku penalty

Nkunku has been plagued by injuries since joining Chelsea from RB Leipzig for £52m before the 2023/24 campaign, making only 11 top-flight appearances last season.

The 26-year-old scored twice in his first four appearances, starting on his debut at Wolves and netting again at Liverpool in February.

At a sold-out Stamford Bridge, Chelsea struggled to seriously threaten their Swiss Super League opponents before the interval.

New manager Enzo Maresca, who has denied his task is being hampered by having a 42-player squad, cut a frustrated figure as his players tried to find a way through.

First of the campaign. 🔥#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/Sj3ZhHxB7W

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 22, 2024

Madueke goal vs Servette

Servette might have taken the lead when defender Steve Rouiller had a free header, only to plant his effort at Chelsea debutant goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

Winger Pedro Neto – a £54m signing from Wolves earlier this month – also sent a shot straight at Frick from distance as Chelsea toiled.

Enzo Fernandez, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer came off the bench 14 minutes into the second half and two of the three substitutes were involved in putting Chelsea 2-0 ahead.

Madueke raced onto Fernandez’s lofted pass and blasted a finish past Frick with 14 minutes remaining to put the Premier League side on track to reach the competition proper by advancing from the tie on aggregate.