Chelsea reach Conference League semi-finals despite loss to Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea progressed to the last four of the Conference League but Enzo Maresca's problems continued to mount as Legia Warsaw won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in their quarter-final second leg to deepen supporters' frustrations with the head coach.
The Blues will be favourites to reach the final in Wroclaw on May 28 but there was little here to strike fear into any opponent, as the hosts were made to rely on their victory a week ago in Poland to go through 4-2 on aggregate.
A penalty by Czech forward Tomas Pekhart gave Legia the lead before Marc Cucurella levelled, but Chelsea were soon undone again when Steve Kapuadi scored early in the second half, as the Shed End glowed ominous red in the light of flares lit by the uproarious away fans.
The manner in which Chelsea were defeated at home by the team currently fifth in the Polish Ekstraklasa does not bode well for their bid to qualify for the Champions League and could have serious repercussions for the confidence fans place in Maresca, which has been sorely tested in recent months.
Cole Palmer was a surprise inclusion, Maresca perhaps sensing the chance for his number 10 finally to break a three-month scoring drought.
Legia did their best to oblige in the first five minutes, displaying abject carelessness on the ball and letting in first Palmer, who skewed badly wide when clean through, then Christopher Nkunku whose shot was saved.
A former Tottenham man quietened west London after nine minutes. Pekhart never played a first-team game for Spurs but left his mark on this tie, reaching a through-ball ahead of Filip Jorgensen who dived in recklessly and fouled.
The stand-in goalkeeper landed his ungainly routine by fumbling Pekhart's weak penalty into the corner.
Ryoya Morishita then galloped clear and finished inches past a post as Chelsea tottered at the back, their seemingly unobstructed path to the last four suddenly looking less than straightforward.
Order was restored just past the half-hour mark when Cucurella tapped in Jadon Sancho's square-ball.
The left-back, who has made a habit this season of bailing out his shot-shy side, has now scored four times since Palmer's last goal on 14 January. The Spain international found the net again before the break but was denied by VAR for offside.
Chelsea found themselves with bigger problems when Legia regained the lead at the start of the second half. Claude Goncalves was left free on the edge of the box to volley a corner towards goal, and unmarked in front of Jorgensen was Kapaudi who headed in.
There followed a long-awaited burst of urgency from Chelsea. Noni Madueke saw his volleyed effort saved on the line by goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic who got up smartly to beat away Tyrique George's rebound. George then tapped in Madueke's cross but the goal was ruled out for offside. It was a less than impressive performance but Chelsea clung on to limit the damage and reach the semi-finals.
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The Herald Scotland
16 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
England booed off after shock defeat to Senegal
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Daily Mirror
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
England's five winners and losers as Senegal pile more problems on Thomas Tuchel
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Metro
44 minutes ago
- Metro
England player ratings as Thomas Tuchel's lacklustre Three Lions beaten by Seneg
England turned in an extremely underwhelming performance at the City Ground on Tuesday night as they were beaten 3-1 by Senegal. There was little on the line in Nottingham in a friendly at the end of a busy season, but manager Thomas Tuchel will still be frustrated with what he saw from his players. His unbeaten start to life in charge of the Three Lions is over and the German will be pondering many questions with the World Cup just a year away. Harry Kane had given England an early lead and, despite a bright start from the visitors, it seemed like it could be a routine evening for the hosts. It was anything but the case as Senegal were by far the more impressive team, looking more dynamic in midfield and more threatening up top. Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr equalised before half-time, proving to be far more switched on than a tardy Kyle Walker. On 62 minutes Habib Diarra put the African side ahead, bursting clear down the right channel and calmly finishing through Dean Henderson's legs. Cheikh Sabaly scored the third on the break at the death. England played like they were not too fussed about a summer friendly, while Senegal were bang up for it and deserved their win. England had their goalkeeper to thank for only conceding one in the first half as Henderson made a string of good saves. He will be frustrated with the nutmegged second for Senegal, but it would be harsh to blame him for it. Not a great outing for the veteran who will be a concern going forward for Thomas Tuchel. He was on his heels as Ismaila Sarr beat him to the ball for Senegal's first and was booked soon after for a loose tackle. Roy Keane said of Walker on Sarr's goal: 'I think he's been lazy. He's a vastly experienced player and he just can't be bothered getting back in.' Looked solid and sharp on his debut for England and could have a future in the middle of defence, if he can nail down a place in the Chelsea team next season. Came up against his Chelsea teammate Nicolas Jackson over the piece and didn't look especially comfortable. He was very lucky not to allow the striker in on goal when he was nearly robbed at the back. Also booked for a clumsy foul on Jackson. The Arsenal wonderkid was a bit anonymous and certainly couldn't show off the dynamism he has displayed at times for the Gunners. He was missing in action as Diarra steamed through down his flank to score Senegal's second. Taken off in the dying minutes. Couldn't really impose himself on the game at all as England failed to control the game on home soil. Replaced on 71 minutes. Good energy and lively as ever, showing his use to win the ball high up the field. Along with Eze he helped gain possession and set-up England's opener. Replaced on 58 minutes. Very quiet for most of the game but was only denied a goal by a brilliant Edouard Mendy save on 68 minutes. Replaced on 71 minutes. Helped make the first goal by winning the ball with Gallagher and nearly set up a second with a superb flick into Gibbs-White's path. Flashes of threat, but that was all. His fairly tame shot ended up leading to Kane's opener as it was parried into the captain's path. He showed brief signs of danger on the left and got into a brilliant position to score but somehow fluffed a brilliant chance from a Walker cross. Replaced on 58 minutes. A fairly typical Harry Kane performance for England as he was in the right place at the right time to score the goal but did little else that will linger long in the memory. Always committed, he was nodding balls away in his own penalty box and took his international tally to 73 goals. Replaced on 58 minutes. Substitutes 58 mins – Morgan Gibbs-White – 5 58 mins – Curtis Jones – 4 More Trending 58 mins – Morgan Rogers – 4 71 – Jude Bellingham – 5 71 – Noni Madueke – 4 88 – Ivan Toney – N/A MORE: Why are England playing Senegal in Nottingham and not at Wembley? MORE: Arsenal interested in signing nine-goal Premier League star instead of Rodrygo MORE: Bukayo Saka speaks out on injury fears in 'horrible' time for Arsenal and England star
