Chelsea were grateful for their first-leg lead over Servette as they were beaten 2-1 on the night in Geneva but booked their place in the Europa Conference League draw courtesy of a 3-2 win on aggregate.
This was Chelsea’s 299th game in European football. They have won everything there is to win on the continent – except this one, the newest competition.
They will hope this is the start of them completing the set again. In Switzerland, they extended their lead within 15 minutes as Christopher Nkunku scored from the penalty spot after Keigo Tsunemoto had taken down Mykhailo Mudryk inside the box.
This was Chelsea’s first visit to Servette since the decade following the Second World War. Chelsea were in cruise control, but complacency allowed the hosts to get a foothold in the contest as Jeremy Guillemenot, once of Barcelona’s academy, latched onto Dereck Kutesa’s pass to steer his shot across Filip Jorgensen into the far corner on 32 minutes.
Joel Mall is beaten by Christopher Nkunku’s penalty
Noni Madueke, fresh from a deserved England call-up following his blistering start to the campaign, ought to have notched his fifth goal in three matches when he was played in by Marc Guiu but he telegraphed his finish as Joel Mall denied him.
Kutesa continued to cause problems as Jorgensen kept out his shot after another knifing run from left to right.
The second period initially lacked major incident with Chelsea controlling proceedings. There was even a nice moment for Tyrique George as the 18-year-old came off the bench to make his professional debut.
Chelsea’s Nkunku celebrates his goal
But that suddenly changed when two Servette substitutes combined, Miroslav Stevanovic’s cross headed in by Enzo Crivelli after both Benoit Badiashile and Jorgensen lost their footing on 72 minutes.
It sparked an anxious final quarter of an hour which might have been far more serene when Cole Palmer was found by an Nkunku pass only to see his shot smack the crossbar.
There was still time for a final Servette chance. Gael Ondoua won the ball in front of Palmer as Julian von Moos set up Timothe Cognat but there was not enough bend on his shot.
Chelsea had the opportunities to put the tie to bed, but it didn’t prove costly. Enzo Maresca continues to try and sell a number of first-team players, and while Friday could prove another busy day at the club, booking a spot in the Europa Conference League draw represents the first important milestone in his tenure.
Maresca: We lost a little bit of confidence
Nkunku was a constant threat for the visitors
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said: “I think the first half an hour we scored a goal and had three or four more chances, and if we were able to score then the game was finished because it would have been 2-0. And then we conceded a goal and it’s normal to suffer a little bit.
“I told you yesterday but I was very, very worried about this game because they are tricky games. For them, it’s probably the game of their season. Against us, the pitch is not great, the environment, it’s 30 degrees and I was very worried about the condition of the game.
“On and off the ball, the team was very aggressive. We created four or five chances in the first half and if we score, the game is finished. Then it is football – they score and it’s a boost for them. But in the end, we deserved it, so we are happy.
Nkunku is denied his second on the night in the first half
“It is a competition where we are going to try and do our best in. I think tonight, once again, the team shows in the way we started that the team was there. Then the game, we concede; they had some chances and we lost a little bit of confidence.
“But overall, even in the second half I am now thinking a bit that I remember three times one-v-one with the goalkeeper. In the end, if we are able to take the chances, especially in the first half when we are 1-0 up, if we are able to score the second one then the game is finished.
“It’s one more competition. We have Conference League, Premier League, FA Cup, the Carabao Cup – they are all competitions where we are going to try and do our best and then we will see where we arrive.”
Analysis: Chelsea scrape through
Jeremy Guillemenot strikes to level on the night
Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds:
“Maresca won’t have been happy with Chelsea going from a position of complete comfort to scraping through. In the end, they were indebted to the 2-0 at Stamford Bridge a week ago. A seemingly unassailable advantage in Chelsea’s bid to reach the competition’s league phase for the first time was very nearly wiped out.
“They were given an almighty fright by the team seventh in the Swiss League by two goals that gave the game a wholly different complexion.
Servette’s Timothe Cognat, left, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
“Nicolas Jackson, who collected his customary disallowed goal for offside, was denied by a strong left foot from Mall in stoppage time as Chelsea sought to salvage the result on the night. Madueke was also denied by a fine smothering block after going clean through.
“Crivelli came off the bench to head Servette into the lead and leave Chelsea sweating but in the end, Maresca will reflect on this being an important step to allow his bloated squad plenty of minutes during the autumn and winter months.”
What’s coming up in the Premier League?
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday as they host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, kick-off at 1.30pm.
On the same day is an epic Super Sunday live on Sky Sports with Newcastle hosting Tottenham at St James’ Park with kick-off at 1.30pm, before Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford, kick-off at 4.30pm.
On Saturday Night Football, West Ham host Premier League champions Manchester City at the London Stadium with coverage starting at 5pm, kick-off at 5.30pm.
Stream West Ham vs Man City, Newcastle vs Tottenham and Man Utd vs Liverpool live on Sky Sports Premier League with a NOW TV pass
