Latest news with #REALBETIS
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Cole Palmer steps up in Chelsea's hour of need and wins Conference League final
REAL BETIS 1-4 CHELSEA: Cole Palmer's impact was unquestionable as the Blues completed the set in Europe after coming from behind to claim an historic win in Wroclaw It is in difficult moments when the best players prove their quality. For so much of this match, it was all about one of football's European greats. And yet, ultimately, it was Cole Palmer who stepped up to steal the show and prove his worth as he wrote another chapter in Chelsea 's glorious history. Palmer turned the game on its head with a magical intervention to turn the game completely on its head with two wonderful assists in five second half minutes for Enzo Fernandez and then Nicolas Jackson. Up until then, Real Betis captain Isco, 33, the five-time Champions League winner, had dominated and run the game. But it was Palmer who had seen enough, battled and took the game by the scruff of its neck. From 1-0 down at half time, Chelsea overwhelmed Real Betis to win the Conference League and become the first team to complete a full set of major European trophies. It is their ninth major European trophy and the first under co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali who are finally beginning to see their vast investment begin to pay off. It also felt like vindication for Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca who, after spending the week taking post shots at his critics, is also delivering. Maresca is a hard guy to love, the Chelsea fans are still not sure and yet he has now clinched Champions League football and a European trophy in the space of four days. The Chelsea hierarchy were all there on the pitch celebrating another trophy but they will know that Palmer is their jewel in the crown. When Palmer plays, Chelsea play. When Palmer is off the boil, Chelsea struggle. It really is that simple. But this was a night when Palmer saw the chance of glory slipping away - and he just seized the moment. That is what quality players are all about. The Conference League trophy is by no means the biggest or the best. But winning is infectious. It has served Chelsea well for 20 years and now this generation have their hands on their first piece of silverware in four years. No wonder the Chelsea fans were chanting: 'We've won it all' by the end with their typical arrogance. They were outnumbered in the stadium by the Real Betis fans who had come with the dream of winning their first major European trophy. And for a while, it looked possible. It was Malo Gusto who gave the ball away, Isco bought himself time and space before teeing up Abde Ezzalzouli who controlled the ball with his right foot before burying it past Filip Jorgensen with a left foot shot into the bottom corner. It was all Real Betis before Maresca hauled off Gusto at half time and brought on Reece James. The tide began to turn. First, Palmer's wonderful, teasing deep cross found Fernandez who ghosted onto the ball before glancing a perfect header into the bottom corner. Palmer was not done yet. You could see he was now in the mood. He jinked, teased and dribbled his way down the right and then put over a near post cross and Jackson deflected it into the net off his chest. It did not matter. They all count. Chelsea substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall helped set up Jadon Sancho to smash home a third and yet still the Blues were not finished in what rapidly turned into a demolition job. It could be Sancho's last game for the club - and what a way to go. Moises Caicedo, Chelsea's midfield kingpin and best player this season, smashed home a fourth to leave the fans in blue behind the goal celebrating yet more European success. Trophies and success are often infectious and Maresca has helped Chelsea get the winning bug back again.
NBC Sports
28-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Enzo Maresca reaction — What did Chelsea boss say after winning Europa Conference League trophy?
Enzo Maresca's first season as Chelsea manager is in the books, and the Blues are Europa Conference League winners for the first time, making them the first club to complete the modern-day European trophy set comprised of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. REAL BETIS 1-4 CHELSEA — Video highlights, recap & analysis Notably, former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho became the first individual to win all three trophies after leading Roma to Conference League glory in 2021-22. Below is the latest Enzo Maresca reaction, as the Blues boss spoke after lifting the trophy in Warsaw. Enzo Maresca reaction We'll have Maresca's post-match interviews and press conference as soon as they start, here.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Real Betis ‘change their badge' for Conference League final against Chelsea due to incredible omen but fans won't see it
REAL BETIS have jokingly changed their badge for tomorrow's Conference League final against Chelsea. The Spanish club are looking to defy the odds by winning their first-ever European trophy. 3 Real Betis have changed their club badge ahead of the Conference League final against Chelsea 3 The Spaniards have added a BIRD to their crest Credit: X @RealBetis_en Betis are certainly up against it with And many are expecting the Blues to finish the job in Warsaw on Wednesday evening. However, Betis are hoping that a change to their club badge could prove to be a lucky omen. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Manuel Pellegrini's side jokingly revealed that they had replaced the middle of their crest with a BIRD for the one-off match. They said: 'Presenting our badge for the Conference League final.' Adding a photo of Antony, who has starred on loan from Manchester United, Betis added: 'Year of the Birds. Year of the GOAT.' But the image is not actually going to appear on Betis' kit. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And instead, the club were drawing inspiration from various cup winners this season, with many boasting a bird on their badge. Liverpool, who boast a Liver bird on their jersey, stormed to title glory in the Premier League. Inside Chelsea's dressing room celebrations after Champions League spot secured 3 CHELSEA VS REAL BETIS - CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL STREAM AND TV INFO Newcastle, dubbed the Magpies for obvious reasons, collected their first-ever trophy in the Carabao Cup. While Crystal Palace, who feature an eagle on their crest, lifted the FA Cup against favourites Man City. Even Tottenham, who sport a cockerel, ended their silverware jinx with victory in the Europa League. And fans were quick to react to the banter online. One said: 'That's crazy.' Another declared: 'Let's go bird for bird.' One noted: 'Might support Chelsea with this nonsense.' Another added: 'Sensational.'
