Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea: Jackson at the double in first-leg rout

Chelsea have one foot in the Conference League final after cruising to a 4-1 win over Djurgarden in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Thursday.

Nicolas Jackson came off the bench to score two goals in six second-half minutes to seal a comfortable win ahead of next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Jadon Sancho fired Chelsea into a 12th-minute lead, taking a touch from Enzo Fernandez's cross before finding the net, despite Marcus Danielson's efforts on the line.

The Blues almost doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark, but Noni Madueke's attempted lob was brilliantly tipped behind by visiting goalkeeper Jacob Rinne.

But Madueke was not to be denied a third Conference League goal of the season, as he fired home at the near post after another Fernandez assist in the 43rd minute.

The Blues put the result beyond doubt after the break through Jackson, with the striker capitalising on a mix-up between Danielson and Rinne.

Jackson, on as a half-time substitute for Madueke, doubled his tally with a smart finish into the roof of the net.

Djurgarden grabbed a consolation when teenager Isak Alemayehu headed past Filip Jorgensen from inside the box in the 68th minute, but a comeback never looked likely.

Indeed, Chelsea almost restored their four-goal cushion late on, but 16-year-old debutant Reggie Walsh could only find the gloves of Rinne.

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Data Debrief: Chelsea edge closer to completing European set

Chelsea will not want to be complacent, but surely the job is done and they can start preparing for a European final next month.

According to Opta's supercomputer, the Blues have a 61% chance of winning this trophy as it stands. If they do go on to do that, it will make them the first club to complete the full set of European trophies, having also won the Champions League and the Europa League twice apiece.

With a top-five finish in the Premier League also a target for the Blues, Enzo Maresca made eight changes ahead of kick-off, but it mattered little as his team dominated. They ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.17 from their 12 shots, with midfielder Fernandez the key to their attacking dominance.

The Argentine ended the contest with a team-high total for chances created (three), while only Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (four) played more crosses than Fernandez (three).