Chelsea had little trouble with their visit to Swedish side Djurgarden for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League semifinal on Thursday.
MORE - Europa League semifinal schedule & results
Jadon Sancho gave the Blues a 13th-minute lead as Chelsea scored four times before the hosts answered in a 4-1 win at 3Arena in Stockholm.
Enzo Fernandez assisted a pair of goals, Nicolas Jackson scored twice, and Noni Madueke also found the net before Isak Aleymayehu Mulugeta delivered Djurgarden an oh-so-thin lifeline for next Thursday’s second leg.
How to watch Djurgarden vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Thursday (May 1)
Venue: 3Arena — Stockholm
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Djurgarden vs Chelsea live updates - by Andy Edwards
Djurgarden vs Chelsea final score: 1-4
Goalscorers: Jadon Sancho (13'), Noni Madueke (43'), Nicolas Jackson (59', 65'), Isak Mulugeta (68')
GOALS! Djurgarden 0-4 Chelsea: Jackson makes it 3-0 and 4-0 in quick succession (59', 65')
Two goals in six minutes 👏
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 1, 2025
Nicolas Jackson lights it up for Chelsea with a rapid brace ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/VM3G3QhZ93
GOAL! Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea: Madueke adds a second before halftime (43')
Noni Madueke with a clinical finish to make it two for Chelsea 💥 pic.twitter.com/mIVhUksj8R
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 1, 2025
GOAL! Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea: Sancho opens the scoring for the visitors (13')
Jadon Sancho fires Chelsea to the perfect start in Sweden ⚡ pic.twitter.com/ui8KVrnZEJ
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 1, 2025
Djurgarden starting lineup
Rinne - Stahl, Larsson, Danielson, Kosugi - Stensson, Gulliksen, Finndell - Haarala, Priske, Nguen
Chelsea starting lineup
Jorgensen - Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella - James, Dewsbury-Hall, Fernandez - Madueke, Sancho, George
Djurgarden vs Chelsea preview — By Joe Prince-Wright
Djurgarden are in the semifinal as a bit of a surprise package, but they were very good in the league phase and knocked out Rapid Wien in the quarterfinal stage. The Swedish upstarts have had a slow start to the 2025 season which is just a few games old, but they should not be underestimated.
Chelsea have blitzed everyone in the Conference League this season, but did lose in the second leg of the quarterfinal against Legia Warsaw. Still, they are the overwhelming favorites to advance to the final and win the competition but other semifinalists Real Betis and Fiorentina will provide stiff competition. They head into this game after back-to-back wins in the Premier League (they were good value for their 1-0 win at home against Everton at the weekend) as they’re chasing Champions League qualification.
Djurgarden team news, focus
Back-up goalkeeper Malkolm Nilsson Safqvist is Djurgarden’s only injury concern. Young winger Tobias Fjeld Gulliksen is one to watch, while Djurgarden are happy to sit deep and know that Chelsea will have the majority of possession. If they can still be in with a chance in the second leg that will be a bonus so don’t expect much in attack from the Swedish minnows.
Chelsea team news, focus
Having Romeo Lavia back from injury is a big bonus for Chelsea and the way he lined up alongside Enzo Fernandez in midfield gave them much more solidity and control against Everton at the weekend. Moises Caicedo shifting to right back to start and then drifting inside worked well too as Enzo Maresca has so many options. Madueke, Palmer and Jackson are almost back to their brilliant early-season form which catapulted Chelsea into the top four but Palmer is unusually still looking a little short of confidence in the final third.
OUT: Wesley Fofana (thigh - out for season), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Omari Kellyman (hamstring - out for season), Marc Guiu (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Malo Gusto (thigh), Robert Sanchez (knock), Christopher Nkunku (knock)
Djurgarden vs Chelsea prediction
This is going to be a game where Chelsea once again dominate possession and Enzo Maresca’s side need to score early and then be more clinical than they have been in recent months. They’ll look to get the job done in the first leg and that will be the case. Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea.
