August 29, (THEWILL) – Chelsea claimed their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League draw despite a 2-1 defeat against Servette in Geneva. The Blues progressed 3-2 on aggregate thanks to Christopher Nkunku’s first-half penalty.
Nkunku opened the scoring in the 14th minute from the spot after Mykhailo Mudryk was fouled. However, Servette equalised through Jeremy Guillemenot before half-time. Enzo Crivelli’s second-half header gave the Swiss side hope, but Chelsea held on.
The match began nervously for Chelsea before Keigo Tsunemoto’s foul on Mudryk led to the penalty. Nkunku converted confidently, repeating his success from the first leg. Servette responded when Dereck Kutesa set up Guillemenot to level the scores.
Crivelli’s 71st-minute goal at the near post beat Chelsea goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen, setting up a tense finale. Timothe Cognat nearly forced extra time late on, but his effort went wide.
Despite the loss, Chelsea progressed to Friday’s draw. The result left Enzo Maresca’s team relieved as they departed Geneva, having narrowly avoided a telling upset.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
