Chelsea conjured an emphatic second-half fightback to defeat Real Betis and win the UEFA Conference League. In doing so, the Blues became the first side ever to have got their hands on all three major European titles.
Abde Ezzalzouli gave Betis a deserved ninth-minute lead in Wroclaw after a day of city-centre violence between the two sets of fans. And Chelsea had it all to do at the break. But a pair of assists from Cole Palmer – one to set up Enzo Fernandez and the other for Nicolas Jackson – set Enzo Maresca’s side on the path to victory before Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo struck late on. Here, Express Sport takes you through how each Chelsea player performed on the night…
Chelsea player ratings vs Real Betis (4-2-3-1)
Filip Jorgensen: 7
Could not do much about the Ezzalzouli goal and produced a top save to deny Marc Bartra in the first half.
Malo Gusto: 3 (James, 45)
Extremely poor defensively right from the off. His careless pass led to the Ezzalzouli goal, and although it wasn’t entirely the Frenchman’s fault, his inversion into midfield gave Betis so much joy. No surprise to see him hooked at half-time.
Trevoh Chalobah: 6
Only made a half-hearted attempt to block the Ezzalzouli goal but shut up shop with the rest of his Chelsea team-mates in the second period.
Benoit Badiashile: 6 (Colwill, 61)
His pace came in handy from time to time but an otherwise quiet display.
Marc Cucurella: 6
The early Betis reign of terror occurred down the opposite flank as, by and large, Cucurella kept Antony quiet.
Moises Caicedo: 7
Took his goal well to notch Chelsea’s fourth in stoppage time after being given the runaround by Isco in the first half.
Enzo Fernandez: 7
Made a good run and produced a decent finish to head Chelsea level. Set up Caicedo’s late strike.
Pedro Neto: 3 (Sancho, 61)
Pretty much everything he tried did not come off. Gave the ball away countless times through loose passes and unsuccessful dribbles. Also skied a shot miles off target.
Cole Palmer: 9 (Guiu, 87)
Redemption after an underwhelming second half of the season. Constantly asked questions of Betis, and then put the team on his back by assisting two goals – an exceptional cross onto the head of Fernandez, and a brilliant bit of skill before laying one on a plate for Jackson.
Noni Madueke: 5
Dribbling and passing was sloppy at times. More bad than good on the whole, but he did create a chance for Jackson with a precise ball in behind.
Nicolas Jackson: 6 (Dewsbury-Hall, 80)
All credit to Jackson for scoring the goal that put Chelsea ahead, but the truth is it does mask a display that was mediocre at best. Didn’t make it stick or bring others into play, and produced a clumsy touch after racing clean through on goal.
SUBS
Reece James: 7
Should have started the game – Chelsea were far better after he came on at half-time.
Jadon Sancho: 7
Had the pick of the goals with a curled finish into the far corner.
Levi Colwill: 6
Got skinned by Youssouf Sabaly immediately after coming on but stood firm as Betis threw in the kitchen sink late on.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: N/A
A late addition.
Marc Guiu: N/A
A late addition.
