Chelsea started their UEFA Conference League campaign with a 4-2 victory against KAA Gent, with Renato Veiga and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scoring their first goals for the club. Veiga opened the scoring for Chelsea just 12 minutes into the match, followed by Pedro Neto scoring a superb volley early in the second half. Gent pulled one back with a header from Tsuyoshi Watanabe, but Christopher Nkunku quickly restored Chelsea’s two-goal advantage. Dewsbury-Hall sealed the victory with a goal 20 minutes from time, while Gent managed another consolation goal in stoppage time.
Chelsea came into the match with a string of four consecutive victories and used the opportunity to showcase some of their fringe players. Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk all contributed to the win, highlighting Chelsea’s strength in depth. The victory should boost the team’s confidence as they face tough upcoming fixtures, including matches against Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Manchester United. The supporting cast of players will be looking to play a more prominent role in these matches after their strong performance against Gent.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance in midfield. He completed the majority of his passes, helped his team progress up the pitch with positive play, and scored his first goal for the club since joining from Leicester City. Dewsbury-Hall showcased his quality with six successful duels won, three completed dribbles, and an overall impactful performance.
In terms of player ratings, Dewsbury-Hall earned a 9, while Neto received an 8 and Veiga a 7. Chelsea’s overall performance was solid, with several players contributing to the victory. Gent’s performance was commendable, with Brown and Gudjohnsen standing out among their players. Chelsea’s ability to maintain their winning streak with a strong performance against Gent bodes well for their upcoming matches.
The match highlights included Veiga opening the scoring in the 12th minute, Neto extending Chelsea’s lead early in the second half, and Gent pulling one back through Watanabe. Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall added two more goals for Chelsea before Gent scored a late consolation goal. Chelsea’s win marked their fifth consecutive victory across all competitions, with an average of 3.4 goals scored per match.
Fans can catch the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League action live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with exciting matches and performances from top teams like Chelsea. The team’s strong start to the season and their dominance in recent matches have set a positive tone for the rest of the campaign, with players like Dewsbury-Hall and Neto making significant contributions on the field. Chelsea’s depth and solid performances across the squad will be crucial as they navigate a challenging schedule ahead.
