ChelseaKAA Gent
UEFA Conference League – matchday 1 – 03/10/24 – 21:02
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12′
Renato Veiga
12′
Renato Veiga
1 – 0
46′
Pedro Neto
46′
Pedro Neto
2 – 0
50′
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
2 – 1
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
50′
63′
Christopher Nkunku
63′
Christopher Nkunku
3 – 1
70′
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
70′
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
4 – 1
90′
Omri Gandelman
4 – 2
Omri Gandelman
90′
The second half was too much. After half-time, Ghent had to admit its superiority to Chelsea, which did not need its absolute stars tonight. The Premier League team climbed to a lonely height after half-time, although Watanabe and “usual suspect” Gandelman provided two honour-savers. Ghent is an experience richer, but a dream poorer after its Conference League opener.
Chelsea – KAA Gent in a nutshell:
Tsuyoshi Watanabe gives the Ghent supporters some hope with the quick tying goal after Neto’s 2-0, but ten minutes later the pilot light has gone out again. With a loud bang, Christopher Nkunku gives Chelsea another safe margin of two goals.
Pedro Neto provided the attacking impetus for Chelsea. With his speed and dribbling skills, the Portuguese made it quite difficult for the Ghent defenders and he was also able to score a goal himself.
KAA Gent is the first Belgian team to score at Stamford Bridge. Club Brugge, Anderlecht and Racing Genk also visited Chelsea, but each time they returned home with a defeat and no goals.
Ghent cannot avoid an early goal
An absolute top poster to kick off the fourth Conference League campaign in a row. KAA Gent realized that it had to go above and beyond to get some results at Stamford Bridge and this was confirmed after less than fifteen minutes.
Moedryk painted the ball onto Renato Veiga’s head and he headed Chelsea into an early lead. The most important job seemed to be done for the London club, because Chelsea did not really push for a second goal. Only Dewsbury-Hall caused some excitement with a bang into the side netting.
Only after half an hour was Ghent able to break the one-way traffic and create a threat themselves, although Brown’s shot was too weak to really threaten Jörgensen. On a pass from Ito, Gudjohnsen did a lot better, his shot narrowly missed the target.
Efficient Chelsea does what is necessary
Ghent could therefore continue to hope for a stunt, but the second half started disastrously for the visitors. Brown and Watanabe were immediately defeated by Neto in the opening minute and with a loud bang he made it 2-0 just after half-time.
A big blow, but Ghent bounced back just four minutes later. Gudjohnsen delivered a great cross and Watanabe brought Ghent back into the game with a cross header.
Or that illusion was briefly created, because on the hour the hope of a stunt was dashed again. After a corner kick, the ball landed at Nkunku’s feet and he hit hard. Right to Roef, but the ball went into the goal via the goalkeeper.
Ten minutes later Chelsea decided the match. Mitrovic intercepted a pass to Nkunku, but provided the perfect assist for Dewsbury-Hall. Roef was again not in a good position: 4-1.
In the final quarter, Ghent escaped an even heavier defeat. Disasi arrived at the far post just too late to extend Neto’s turning cross into the goal.
Ghent, on the other hand, was still able to score in the final minutes. The substitutes made the difference with Dean setting the ball up well for Gandelman and the Israeli finished it off flawlessly. Ghent returns home with a logical defeat, although it was able to avoid a collapse.
View the goals
End
A creditable match, but also a logical defeat for KAA Gent. Chelsea delivered a strong blow immediately after half-time with Neto’s 2-0. Nevertheless, Ghent quickly recovered with Watanabe’s tying goal. Yet Chelsea extended their lead again on the hour mark thanks to Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall completely decided the match. In the end, Gandelman was able to soften for Ghent.
Yellow for Brown
Brown received a yellow card in extra time. He is penalized for a foul at Dewsbury-Hall.
Moedryk decided up front
Moedryk was very active in this match, but the Ukrainian was not allowed to score a goal. His bouncing shot bounces just wide.
An additional 4 minutes will be added.
Gandelman comes on and scores his goal
Gandelman makes it 4-2
The Ghent supporters can cheer again in the final minutes. Gandelman actually scores his goal. After a well-played attack, Dean lays the ball well for the Israeli and he finishes flawlessly.
Araujo too careless
Ghent still tries to make something of it in the final phase. Once again Brown is the basis of a good attack. He pushes well on the left and lays it wide for Araujo, but he quickly decides it wide. There was more to do with this.
Archie Brown hits the ball a meter wide
Brown aims wide
Brown makes a nice dribble, but is too selfish once he gets to the sixteen. His shot narrowly misses.
