Second-half goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke gave Chelsea an unconvincing win at home to Swiss side Servette in the first leg of the Uefa Europa Conference League play-offs.
France forward Nkunku opened his home account for the club from the penalty spot after being brought down by goalkeeper Jeremy Frick in the 48th minute before Madueke blasted in Chelsea’s second 14 minutes from time.
Servette substitute Tiemoko Ouattara’s strike looped against the crossbar via a deflection off Benoît Badiashile late on as Servette went close to making the second leg a trickier prospect for Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca’s side are now in a strong position to reach the competition proper by advancing on aggregate in the return match in Geneva on August 29 (7.30pm BST).
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Chelsea vs Servette: Nervy win
Following a tame 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester City in their Premier League opener on Sunday, Chelsea would have wanted a more assured performance than they produced against the Swiss Super league visitors in the first half.
Forward Marc Guiu, signed from Barcelona for £5 million in July, rounded Frick early on but could not apply the finish in the best chance of a forgettable first half for the toiling hosts.
Servette might have taken the lead when defender Steve Rouiller had a free header, only to plant his effort at Chelsea debutant goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen as new manager Maresca looked increasingly tetchy in his technical area.
Frick’s clumsy challenge to bring down Nkunku three minutes after the break gave Chelsea relief, Nkunku slamming in his spot kick to score the first goal of Maresca’s reign.
Full Chelsea debutant Guiu should have doubled their advantage four minutes later, miskicking in front of an open goal when he was gifted possession by Frick. The 18-year-old had three attempts to score in the sequence but could not capitalise from straightforward positions.
Madueke goal seals result
Enzo Fernandez, Madueke and Cole Palmer came off the bench 14 minutes into the second half and two of the three substitutes were involved in putting Chelsea 2-0 ahead.
Madueke raced onto Fernandez’s lofted pass and gave Frick little chance with his drive with 14 minutes remaining, but Servette were unfortunate not to pull at least one goal back during the closing stages.
Gael Ondoua sent a presentable header over the target with three minutes remaining and Jeremy Guillemenot had a shot from inside the box saved by Jorgensen with seconds to play.
Chelsea are next in action at Molineux in the Premier League on Sunday 2pm, when Pedro Neto, who joined them from opponents Wolves for £54m earlier this month, could feature against his old club.
