Chelsea all but sealed their spot in the UEFA Conference League final with a commanding 4-1 win over Djurgarden in Stockholm, extending their strong European away form to just one defeat in 15 matches.
Enzo Maresca rotated his starting XI, balancing continental ambition with the Premier League’s top-four race, but his side took control from the off.
Marcus Danielsson’s own goal gave the Blues an early lead before Noni Madueke, denied once by Jacob Rinne, coolly slotted in a deserved second before the break.
Djurgarden offered little in the first half but sparked into life after the restart, with August Priske and Adam Ståhl both going close.
However, Chelsea responded with brutal efficiency as half-time substitutes Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson turned the screw as he capitalised on a defensive error to make it 3-0 before smashing in his second from the edge of the box minutes later.
Isak Alemayehu headed in a consolation to reward Djurgarden’s late push, but it was scant relief on a night where the gulf in class showed.
Chelsea remain unbeaten against Swedish sides and will return to Stamford Bridge with a three-goal cushion and one foot firmly in the final.
