Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4: Blues on track for trophy glory as Nicolas Jackson inspires win on ‘s***ty’ pitch
NICOLAS JACKSON scored twice in six minutes to put Chelsea in pole position to reach the Conference League final.
The striker used a hopeless bunch of Swedes as target practice to clinch his first brace since September and confirm a full recovery from his latest injury.
Jackson only came on as a half-time sub and within 20 minutes put his team 4-0 up in the away leg of this massively mismatched semi- final.
It added to first half goals from Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke.
Unless there is a football miracle next week at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea and boss Enzo Maresca are heading through to face Real Betis or Fiorentina in just over three weeks.
And it came on an artificial surface condemned even by home striker August Priske as a “s****y pitch”.
Djurgarden coach Jani Honkavaara called it “really tough for both us and our opponents” – but in the end he was only half right as Chelsea dominated.
And Blues fans should start booking the travel for the May 28 date in Wroclaw – those that can be bothered with this competition anyway.
Chelsea have been a class above their lowly opposition in all but two games of UEFA’s third rate tournament, when they lost to Swiss outfit Servette and Legia Warsaw.
Djurgarden are among the worst they have faced despite being in the last four.
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And it became crystal clear why when the fans bizarrely started singing ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ during the closing stages.
Lining yourself up with Southampton is a kiss of death for any team.
They mounted precious little threat in the biggest game of their history against the Premier League big boys.
The home team could not even fill their subs bench and relied mainly on a raucous atmosphere from the fans to try to unsettle Maresca’s team.
It is actually a minor embarrassment that Chelsea allowed their hosts a 68th minute consolation, they are that bad,
Maresca’s reshuffled side held out against the expected early pressure when fireworks, smoke bombs and lusty Swedish voices filled the air.
The noise rivalled that in Poland several weeks ago, when Chelsea emerged successful at the home of feisty Legia Warsaw.
And they were comfortable from the off although an early breakthrough was welcome in settling down the boisterous crowd.
Sancho is credited with the goal after 13 minutes but he received a large dose of help from defender Marcus Danielson who diverted the shot into his own net.
The assist from Enzo Fernandez playing in a more advanced role is another plus point for The Blues, who made a European semi final feel more like a training ground practice game.
Madueke made it 2-0 two minutes before the break when he swept in a left foot shot on the run at full speed.
That’s his third in Europe this season and he is one of Maresca’s most direct and dangerous players when on the top of his game. Yet he was subbed at the break to make way for Cole Palmer.
Maresca sensed blood and wanted his star forwards to get in the goals as a confidence booster.
It worked for Jackson but while Palmer can claim an assist for Jackson’s first, he is still searching for his first goal since mid-January.
Filip Jorgensen had one save to make in the first half – and even that was down to a wicked rebound off Josh Acheampong when striker Tokmac Nguen had a rare shot.
Chelsea’s Sweden-born keeper also tipped over a header from Adam Stahl in the second half.
He was beaten when Isak Alemayehu powered home a header from a right wing cross.