Latest news with #Poland
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Palmer pulls strings as Chelsea crush Real Betis 4-1 to win Conference League, complete historic sweep of all Uefa trophies
WROCLAW, May 29 — Chelsea roared back to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw on Wednesday, becoming the first club to complete a clean sweep of European trophies. Manuel Pellegrini's enterprising Betis caught the favourites cold with an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli against a flat-footed and listless Chelsea. But Enzo Maresca's second-half substitutions injected energy and Cole Palmer changed the complexion of the game in a five-minute spell, setting up Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson to score. Substitute Jadon Sancho made the game safe in the 83rd minute as the Spanish side faded in their first European final and Moises Caicedo added gloss to the scoreline. Chelsea are the first club to win the full set of five UEFA club tournaments — the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup and the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup. They have also won their first silverware since Todd Boehly's consortium took over from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022, following an era of unprecedented success for the club. Boehly was on the pitch at the end, savouring the win that seemed unlikely when Betis were in control in the first half. Chelsea have ended the season with a flourish after also securing a place in next season's Champions League following a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League. Maresca, in his first season at Stamford Bridge, said he hoped Conference League glory would be a launchpad for the club. 'The club have invested lots of money in the last three or four years, so they are also waiting for results,' Maresca told TNT Sports. 'Hopefully this can be a starting point and from tonight, from this season, (we are) building something important.' The Spanish side went ahead in the ninth minute through Ezzalzouli, who scored the goal against Fiorentina that took his side to the final. Malo Gusto lost the ball and it broke to Betis captain Isco, who produced a clever pass to find Ezzalzouli on the edge of the box, with the Moroccan drilling a left-footed shot across Filip Jorgensen. Minutes later Marc Bartra tried his luck from distance but this time Jorgensen was equal to the task, producing a flying save. Urged on by their massed ranks of fans, Betis went close again when Johnny Cardoso's shot from inside the box was deflected behind. The Premier League side were enjoying the bulk of possession but struggling to create meaningful chances, with Betis defending well and Isco, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, pulling the strings. Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez (right) celebrates scoring their first goal with Cole Palmer. — Reuters pic Palmer magic Maresca brought on James for the struggling Gusto at the break and the English side looked livelier. Pellegrini was forced a change when goalscorer Ezzalzouli was forced off, with Jesus Rodriguez coming on to replace him. Maresca also made a number of other changes, including bringing on Sancho, but it took two moments of magic from Palmer to turn the tide. The England man produced a pinpoint inswinging cross from the right that found onrushing Argentina midfielder Fernandez, who got between two defenders to head the ball past Adrian in the 65th minute. Suddenly Chelsea's tails were up and the fans behind the goal were in full voice. Five minutes later Palmer twisted and turned before producing another superb cross that Jackson bundled into the net. Jackson should have scored a second goal but a heavy touch allowed the Betis goalkeeper to gather. But Sancho made it 3-1 when he combined with fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and finished from an angle and Caicedo added a fourth from the edge of the box. Victory for Chelsea breaks an astonishing cycle of wins for Spanish teams. Taking into account World Cups, European Championships, Champions League and the UEFA Cup/Europa League, of the previous 27 men's finals involving Spanish teams, all 27 had had Spanish winners. Four Spanish club sides had been defeated in that time, but in all cases by fellow La Liga sides. Earlier, the centre of Wroclaw was packed with fans from both clubs, with green-and-white clad Betis fans outnumbering their English rivals. Poland's Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said police made 28 arrests after supporters clashed in the city's market square. — AFP
Japan Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Chelsea rallies past Real Betis to win Conference League final
Chelsea sparked into life in the second half as it came from behind to claim the Conference League trophy with a 4-1 victory over Real Betis on Wednesday, with its revival inspired by the creativity of Cole Palmer at Wroclaw Stadium. Goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson — both set up by the excellent Palmer — plus late strikes from Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo secured the silverware after Betis went in at halftime leading 1-0 thanks to an early Abde Ezzalzouli strike. The 23-year-old Palmer's two assists in five minutes during the second half turned the contest around for the Premier League club, and he was named Player of the Match for his efforts. The victory means Chelsea becomes the first team to win all three European competitions, having lifted the Champions League twice along with two Europa League trophies. The Blues have also won the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup. "I am very happy," Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said. "I was a little bit frustrated in the first half because I think we approached the game in the wrong way. "In the second half we played much better." The result had no bearing on European qualification for next season, with Chelsea having secured a Champions League spot and Real Betis a place in the Europa League via their domestic campaigns. Before the match started, Betis fans set off green flares, their vibrant glow embodying the fervor and historic pride of the club's debut appearance in a European final. Betis, however, appeared nervous in the opening minutes before going ahead when Isco found the unmarked Ezzalzouli at the edge of the box in the ninth minute, giving him plenty of time to break the deadlock with a powerful low shot. Betis nearly doubled its advantage minutes later when Marc Bartra's long-range effort forced Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen to tip the ball over the bar. Johnny Cardoso later received a perfectly weighted pass that put him in an ideal position to score another goal for Betis, but a moment of hesitation allowed Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile to block his attempt. In the first half, Betis pushed forward and Chelsea was outplayed. It was a different story in the second half, however, as Chelsea seized control, dominating midfield and orchestrating a series of attacks that left Betis scrambling. The pressure bore fruit in the 65th minute when Fernandez slipped between two defenders to head home a pinpoint Palmer cross for the equalizer, which ignited a roar from the Chelsea fans. Five minutes later, the match had completely turned around when Palmer cleverly turned his marker near the byline and again delivered a precise cross that enabled Jackson to bundle the ball into the net off his chest and put Chelsea ahead. Sancho effectively ended the contest in the 83rd minute by firing into the far corner, and Caicedo put the icing on the cake with the fourth goal in stoppage time to delight the fans and secure the London club's seventh major European trophy.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Chelsea fans toast Conference League trophy but look forward to bigger challenges
WROCLAW, Poland, May 29 (Reuters) - Chelsea fans toasted Wednesday's Conference League triumph with varying views on the trophy's prestige, but all were united on at least one front, that the future looks bright for the London club. After going a goal down, Chelsea quickly asserted themselves and left little doubt by the final whistle that they were the better side, closing the match in Wroclaw with a commanding 4-1 victory over Spanish side Real Betis. Chelsea are now the first English side to win all four major European trophies, having twice claimed both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League as well as the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup. They have also won two UEFA Super Cups. "A trophy always feels good," said lifelong Chelsea fan Martin as he was celebrating in the old town of the Polish city. "Of course it is a real trophy. We haven't had the best season, but we completed the set, we won everything in Europe there is to win," said another supporter, James. Still, there were murmurs among the fans about the tournament's lack of prestige and competitiveness. "During the whole tournament, I did not feel like it was a competition. It was obvious Chelsea was going to win," Chelsea fan Marip said. "Hopefully next year we will get some stronger teams to play against." "Not really a big thing. We usually win a major trophy," said a 10-year-old Chelsea supporter from London. Though there were differing views, all agreed that the club is on an upward trajectory. "I hope we get more interesting players in the transfer window, but we are in good shape for what comes," Marip added. "We have come in the top four in the Premier League and are ready for Champions League. It's all good," James said.
CNA
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
Chelsea fans toast Conference League trophy but look forward to bigger challenges
WROCLAW, Poland : Chelsea fans toasted Wednesday's Conference League triumph with varying views on the trophy's prestige, but all were united on at least one front, that the future looks bright for the London club. After going a goal down, Chelsea quickly asserted themselves and left little doubt by the final whistle that they were the better side, closing the match in Wroclaw with a commanding 4-1 victory over Spanish side Real Betis. Chelsea are now the first English side to win all four major European trophies, having twice claimed both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League as well as the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup. They have also won two UEFA Super Cups. "A trophy always feels good," said lifelong Chelsea fan Martin as he was celebrating in the old town of the Polish city. "Of course it is a real trophy. We haven't had the best season, but we completed the set, we won everything in Europe there is to win," said another supporter, James. Still, there were murmurs among the fans about the tournament's lack of prestige and competitiveness. "During the whole tournament, I did not feel like it was a competition. It was obvious Chelsea was going to win," Chelsea fan Marip said. "Hopefully next year we will get some stronger teams to play against." "Not really a big thing. We usually win a major trophy," said a 10-year-old Chelsea supporter from London. Though there were differing views, all agreed that the club is on an upward trajectory. "I hope we get more interesting players in the transfer window, but we are in good shape for what comes," Marip added.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cole Palmer's hilarious four-word reason for putting his player of the match award down his shorts leaves CBS host in stitches
Cole Palmer had CBS host Anita Nneka Jones in stitches after explaining why he put his player of the match award down his shorts. Chelsea star Palmer was given the award after providing two assists as his side won 4-1 against Real Betis to win the Conference League final in Poland. Palmer has endured some difficult moments at times this season but he provided a reminder of his undoubted ability in the Conference League final. The 23-year-old set up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson in superb fashion as he showcased his flair. Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo also managed to get on the scoresheet as Chelsea secured the win. It was an impressive turnaround from Enzo Maresca 's side, who had fallen behind to an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli. "I got no pockets." — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 28, 2025 After the game Palmer was asked why he put the award down his shorts, to which he replied: 'I've got not pockets', which prompted laughter from Jones. Palmer wasn't involved in the league phase for Chelsea but featured in the majority of their knockout round fixtures in the Conference League this season. Chelsea overcame Copenhagen in the round of 16 before getting the better of Legia Warsaw and Djurgarden. The Blues are now the first club to have won the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League. With Chelsea having also secured their place in the Champions League for next season it has been a positive few days for Maresca's team. Palmer will hope that this will prove to be a springboard for further success for Chelsea. Former Chelsea star Joe Cole was full of praise for the impact that Palmer made. Speaking on TNT Sports, Cole said: 'Cole Palmer, absolute genius. We don't produce these players. 'They don't fall off trees. He took the game by the scruff of the neck tonight and made it happen. 'There aren't many players in world football who can do what he does.'
