London, Aug 23: Christopher Nkunku’s penalty helped Enzo Maresca earn his first win as Chelsea boss as the Blues secured a two-goal advantage against Servette in their Conference League play-off first leg.
A much-changed Chelsea side had been struggling to open up their Swiss opponents until Nkunku was sent sprawling by goalkeeper Jeremy Frick early in the second half.
The France forward, one of just two survivors from the Blues team that started the 2-0 home defeat by Manchester City on Sunday, picked himself up to score the first goal of the Maresca era from the spot.The former Paris St-Germain player then celebrated in trademark fashion, external, producing a blue balloon which he inflated in front of jubilant Chelsea fans.Chelsea should have doubled the lead moments later when Frick was caught dithering on the ball by 18-year-old Marc Guiu.The Spain youth forward looked certain to score but lost his composure and Frick was able to get back and save.However, substitute Noni Madueke did make it 2-0 with a ferocious 72nd-minute finish from a tight angle inside the penalty area.Chelsea will be confident of finishing the job and advancing to the group stage of European football’s third-tier club competition when they travel to Geneva for the second leg on 29 August.
There was relief around Stamford Bridge at the full-time whistle as Chelsea were made to work hard for their win and survived some awkward moments.
Servette registered 22 attempts to the hosts’ 14, with substitute Tiemoko Ouattara hitting the bar with a deflected effort in the 86th minute.However, Chelsea eked out a victory to help put the disappointing opening defeat by Manchester City behind them and get Maresca’s reign up and running.
“I was a bit worried because in the last 10 minutes we played a little bit with fire,” said Maresca. “It was good that we didn’t concede but we can learn.”
The Blues boss made nine changes from the team which started at the weekend, yet finished it with five substitutes on the pitch including Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin Adarabioyo made their debuts. (Agencies)
