Chelsea clinched the UEFA Europa Conference League title in dominant fashion with a 4-1 win over Real Betis, overcoming a shaky first half and producing a second-half masterclass inspired by Cole Palmer.
Betis seized the lead early through Abde Ezzalzouli, who finished off a brilliant no-look assist from the outstanding Isco. Chelsea were outplayed in the first half, and Malo Gusto’s struggles saw him replaced at the break by captain Reece James. Head coach Enzo Maresca’s tactical changes transformed the game.
Palmer thrived in a freer role after the interval and was the catalyst for Chelsea’s turnaround. Enzo Fernandez leveled with a glancing header from a Palmer cross on 65 minutes. Five minutes later, Palmer again delivered from the byline, setting up Nicolas Jackson to put Chelsea ahead.
Momentum fully in their favor, Chelsea never let up. In the 83rd minute, substitutes Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jadon Sancho combined, with Sancho curling in a stunning third. Moises Caicedo sealed the triumph with a powerful strike in stoppage time.
Palmer, named Player of the Match, was lauded by Maresca for his game-changing influence. Chelsea’s victory not only delivered silverware but also marked them as the first club to win all three of UEFA’s major competitions, and the first foreign side to beat a Spanish team in a European final since 2001.
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted that second-half injuries hampered his team, who were unable to match Chelsea’s intensity after the break.
Swifteradio.com
