Servette vs Chelsea - LIVE!

Chelsea ensured they will be in Friday’s Europa Conference League draw despite a nervy 2-1 second-leg defeat to Servette in Switzerland.

When Christopher Nkunku scored early from the penalty spot, the Blues were 3-0 up on aggregate and seemingly cruising through their play-off tie with minimal fuss. But Jeremy Guillemeno finished well before half-time to level it up on the night, before Enzo Crivelli headed home with 20 minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish as Chelsea came under huge pressure.

Nicolas Jackson had a goal disallowed for offside and Cole Palmer then hit the bar, with the Blues unable to find the goal that would have given them breathing space, but they survived the significant scare to secure a 3-2 aggregate win. Chelsea will be in Friday’s draw, as one of the clubs in pot one. There are 36 clubs in the new-look draw, with six matches in the first phase of the tournament.

Servette vs Chelsea latest news

• GOAL! Crivelli gives Servette real hope

• GOAL! Guillemenot levels it up on the night

• GOAL! Nkunku extends aggregate lead from spot

FT: Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:25 , Matt Verri

Chelsea survive!

Far nervier than they would have liked, having been 3-0 up on aggregate, but they get the job done.

The Blues will be in tomorrow’s Conference League draw.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:22 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: INCHES WIDE!

That was almost the moment. Cognat whips a effort towards the far corner, and it’s very, very nearly in.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:21 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Palmer with nice footwork, picks out Jackson and his powerful strike is kept out.

Ball is at the right end from a Chelsea perspective. Servette can’t get anything going.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:19 , Matt Verri

90 mins: We’re up and running again, after that bizarre episode.

Six minutes added on - Chelsea still have work to do!

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:18 , Matt Verri

89 mins: Firework display going off behind the Chelsea goal. Palmer decides to sit on the ball and enjoy the view, rather than taking the corner.

Could be a bit of a delay here - there’s a crazy amount of fireworks going up and that stand is now pretty much a wall of smoke.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:15 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Chelsea doing a better job of keeping the ball, slowing things down.

A bit too slow, as Veiga is booked for time-wasting.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:12 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Off the bar!

Nkunku slides a brilliant pass through, Palmer only has the goalkeeper to beat but he whips an effort against the woodwork.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:10 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Disasi with a great header, before Tosin makes a superb last-ditch block.

Chelsea hanging on for dear life, Servette continue to look dangerous.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:08 , Matt Verri

79 mins: That decision is confirmed. Must have been inches in it, looked level in the replays.

There’s plenty of space for Chelsea to counter into now, just needs a couple of calm heads in attack.

Not many calm heads at the back right now, it’s desperate stuff whenever Servette come forward. So nervy.

GOO... OFFSIDE!

21:06 , Matt Verri

Jackson thinks he has eased the pressure, lovely finish as the ball falls to him in the box.

It’s very, very tight.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:04 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Just wide, deflection saves Chelsea from the corner!

Servette put it back into the middle, flicked on at the near post but Jorgensen can claim.

The visitors can’t get out all of a sudden.

Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

21:03 , Matt Verri

74 mins: Maresca immediately turns to the bench. Mudryk off, Palmer on.

Jackson shown a yellow card, clear tug of the shirt to stop a Servette counter.

Chelsea are under HUGE pressure now. Servette corner coming up.

GOAL! Servette 2-1 Chelsea (agg 2-3) | Enzo Crivelli 72'

21:01 , Matt Verri

GAME ON!

Ball whipped in, Crivelli at the near post and he gets up to head home, as Jorgensen loses his footing.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:58 , Matt Verri

69 mins: It’s all very scrappy.

Caicedo the latest to make a fairly cynical foul, avoids a booking.

Wouldn’t say Servette are throwing the kitchen sink at this yet - going to have to come at some point.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:54 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Jackson swiftly finds himself on the ground, wiped out by Douline. Ugly challenge and it’s a booking, to nobody’s surprise.

Nice warm welcome for Jackson, that.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:51 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Three Chelsea changes.

George, Caicedo and Jackson on. Madueke, Fernandez and Guiu make way.

Caicedo takes the armband.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:49 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Chelsea very much in control in these last five or ten minutes. Look much the more likely to score.

Madueke drives into the box, so dangerous. Cut back towards Dewsbury-Hall, but he couldn’t get a shot away.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:45 , Matt Verri

56 mins: Mudryk has had basically no interest in passing since half-time. Determined to score.

Holds the ball for an age, before eventually trying his luck from an almost impossible angle. Corner a good outcome from there.

Fernandez to the back post, cleared away as Badiashile threw himself at the ball.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:41 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Corner for Servette, who are a goal away from giving Chelsea massive problems.

It’s cleared and Mudryk can break - this is where he’s really dangerous.

Just runs in a straight line, nobody can stay with him. Into the box, keeper again out to make the save.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:39 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Ball switched out to Mudryk, he brings it down nicely.

Cuts inside onto his right foot, past a couple of challenges. Gets the shot away from the edge of the box, off balance as he blasts it over the bar.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:36 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Great save from Jorgensen!

From a free-kick, it’s flicked on into the path of Guillemenot. Chests it down with his first touch, second is an effort that is smothered by the goalkeeper.

Wouldn’t have counted anyway, offside flag was up.

Back underway!

20:34 , Matt Verri

Second-half is up and running.

Draw tomorrow for Conference League

20:26 , Matt Verri

Will Chelsea be in it? Going to be a crazy 45 minutes if the answer to that is no.

The Conference League draw will take place tomorrow, Friday, August 30, 2024 at 1.30pm UK time.

It will feature just one league table of all 36 clubs, as it the case in other UEFA competitions this season.

Each team will play six matches against six different opponents, consisting of three home games and three away. Clubs from the same association will not play each other and no team can face more than two opponents from one other country.

The top eight will qualify directly for the knockout stages. Clubs finishing ninth to 24th will face off in a play-off round and those finishing 25th to 36th will be knocked out.

HT: Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:18 , Matt Verri

That’s half-time in Switzerland.

Nkunku’s opener gave Chelsea complete control of this tie, but it’s not quite as comfortable now.

Guillemenot levelled it up on the night and the hosts are not out of this yet.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:15 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Action at both ends, Servette this time with the chance to edge in front on the night.

Kutesa tries to curl an effort into the far corner, Jorgensen parries it out and thankfully for him there’s nobody in a burgundy shirt there to tap it home.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:12 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Guiu involved here though, plays Madueke in on goal.

Poor first touch, takes him too close to the goalkeeper and it’s a decent save. Madueke closed the angle though, that was a real chance.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:10 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Quiet few minutes - that’ll suit Chelsea.

Guiu hasn’t been able to hold the ball up particularly well for the visitors, they need more from him.

Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3)

20:06 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Big ten minutes or so coming up before half-time. If Chelsea concede again, then we really do have a tie on our hands.

Nkunku with a chance to restore Chelsea’s three-goal advantage on aggregate, tries to dink Mall but the goalkeeper smothers it.

GOAL! Servette 1-1 Chelsea (agg 1-3) | Jeremy Guillemenot 32'

20:03 , Matt Verri

Well then!

The hosts have one back. Kutesa bursts away from Disasi, slides the pass into the path of Guillemenot.

He drills a low finish into the far corner.

Servette 0-1 Chelsea (agg 0-3)

20:00 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Servette are leaving a lot of space in behind.

Chelsea feel like they’re a couple of passes from being in on goal every time they come forward. More goals in this, for sure.

No more goals now a guarantee...

Servette 0-1 Chelsea (agg 0-3)

19:56 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Nkunku charging through the middle of the Servette defence, lovely touch to flick the ball away from a defender.

Space for the shot, but he lays it back to Madueke instead. His effort is charged down.

Servette 0-1 Chelsea (agg 0-3)

19:54 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Mudryk away down the left, floats a cross to the back post but it’s over everyone.

Madueke does well to keep it in play, Chelsea back to dominating possession. Mudryk, with another ball in... cleared away at the near post.

Servette 0-1 Chelsea (agg 0-3)

19:50 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Couple of quick Servette corners, but they won’t get another one as the offside flag goes up. Better couple of minutes for the hosts.

As we saw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, they will keep coming forward.

Servette 0-1 Chelsea (agg 0-3)

19:48 , Matt Verri

17 mins: Chelsea knocking the ball around with real confidence. An early body blow to the hosts.

Maresca has challenged Mudryk to step up - been a good start from the winger.

At the other end, Badiashile the latest player into the book. Slightly late as he tried to cover out wide.

GOAL! Servette 0-1 Chelsea (agg 0-3) | Christopher Nkunku 14'

19:45 , Matt Verri

And Nkunku makes no mistake!

Goalkeeper goes the right way, but it’s too good from Nkunku into the bottom corner.

Chelsea 3-0 up on aggregate.

PENALTY CHELSEA!

19:44 , Matt Verri

Mudryk again after a long ball, this time he pokes the ball away from Tsunemoto ... penalty!

Full-back didn’t seem him on the blind side, can have no complaints after bringing Mudryk down.

Servette 0-0 Chelsea (agg 0-2)

19:42 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Ball over the top of the Servette defence from Badiashile.

Lots of space and Mudryk is quick... not that quick. Trickles away for a goal kick.

Servette 0-0 Chelsea (agg 0-2)

19:40 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Severin cleans out Nkunku, late and no interest in playing the ball.

It’s a very early yellow card for the centre-back. A long 80 minutes ahead.

Servette 0-0 Chelsea (agg 0-2)

19:37 , Matt Verri

5 mins: Huge chance from the resulting corner.

It drops for Badiashile, six yards out and he absolutely hammers a half-volley at goal. Brilliantly blocked.

Servette 0-0 Chelsea (agg 0-2)

19:36 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Great atmosphere early on, home fans still believe.

Nkunku down on the edge of the box, appeals waved away. Looked like a foul.

Ball falls for Fernandez, tries his luck from distance and it’s a great save.

KICK-OFF!

19:32 , Matt Verri

We’re underway in this second leg!

19:31 , Matt Verri

Teams are out on the pitch, minute’s applause for Sven-Goran Eriksson ahead of kick-off.

He will be missed across the football world.

Here we go!

19:29 , Matt Verri

We’ll be up and running in Switzerland in a couple of minutes.

An early goal for Chelsea and you’d think this tie is done. But should Servette strike first... buckle up.

Conference League draw

19:21 , Matt Verri

The Conference League draw will take place tomorrow, Friday, August 30, 2024 at 1.30pm UK time.

A new season brings a new format to the Conference League. Like the Europa League and Champions League, it will feature just one league table of all 36 clubs.

Each team will play six matches against six different opponents, consisting of three home games and three away. Clubs from the same association will not play each other and no team can face more than two opponents from one other country.

The top eight will qualify directly for the knockout stages. Clubs finishing ninth to 24th will face off in a play-off round and those finishing 25th to 36th will be knocked out.

Not long now!

19:14 , Matt Verri

Kick-off coming up in 15 minutes.

Chelsea on a high after their big win over Wolves, will want to continue that here tonight.

With fixtures to come against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, West Ham, Brighton and Nottingham Forest, there is the chance for the Blues to really kick into gear.

Servette team news

19:04 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Mall, Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou, Cognat,Ondoua, Douline, Kutesa, Antunes, Guillemenot

Subs: Besson, Baron, Crivelli, Magnin, Ouattara, Sawadogo, Simbakoli, Srdanovic, Stevanovic, Von Moos, Weber, Frick

Maresca on Chelsea transfer plans

18:58 , Matt Verri

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is open to further new signings before the looming transfer deadline.

The busy Blues remain heavily active in the market as the clock ticks down to the window closing for business at 11pm BST on Friday night, with a new striker still firmly at the top of their list of priorities after another hectic summer at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea remain in talks over a late swoop for Victor Osimhen, but appear to face stiff competition from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli for the Napoli frontman.

The Blues also remain interested in wantaway Brentford forward Ivan Toney, but Al-Ahli are also pushing for that deal too amid Manchester United talks over the England international.

Chelsea have been eyeing Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho in the final days of the window, with the Red Devils opening talks over a potential move for Raheem Sterling.

However, the latest reports on Wednesday evening suggested that Juventus had now agreed a loan move for Sancho, who is said to be keen on a switch to Serie A.

Asked about Sancho during a press conference held ahead of Chelsea’s Uefa Conference League play-off tie second leg against Servette in Switzerland, Blues boss Maresca told reporters: “If we can sign a player that can help us, for sure I would. Jadon is not our player. I know him very well. But he is not our player.”

Halfway there...

18:45 , Matt Verri

Servette had a fair few chances at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea did enough to pick up a 2-0 win in that first leg.

Would be an almighty shock if it all went wrong tonight, to put it mildly.

Madueke keeps his place

18:33 , Matt Verri

Hat-trick against Wolves over the weekend, and Noni Madueke remains in the starting lineup tonight.

Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson drop to the bench - Enzo Maresca will be hoping they are not required tonight.

Feels like a big match for Mykhailo Mudryk, he needs to impress. Christopher Nkunku too.

Chelsea team news

18:25 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Jorgensen, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga, Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, Nkunku, Mudryk, Guiu

Subs: Bettinelli, Sanchez, Cucurella, Colwill, Acheampong, Caicedo, Palmer, George, Jackson

Armando Broja's move to Ipswich collapses

18:22 , Matt Verri

Armando Broja’s proposed move to Ipswich has fallen through due to the Albanian failing a medical.

An issue was detected at his medical, scuppering an agreed deal whereby Broja was due to join Ipswich on a loan move with a £30million obligation to buy.

Chelsea are hoping to move Broja on before the end of the transfer window, after a lack of football for the Blues in recent seasons and a failed loan move to Fulham in the second half of last term.

Stand by...

18:13 , Matt Verri

Teams news coming up very shortly.

How strong will Enzo Maresca go? Have to think it will be fairly strong, even if Cole Palmer is given a rest.

We’ll find out in the next few minutes.

Stage is set!

18:02 , Matt Verri

Glorious setting for tonight’s clash...

Busy day of outgoings for Chelsea...

17:51 , Matt Verri

Romelu Lukaku has completed a move to Napoli.

The Belgian international has ended a nightmare second spell at Chelsea by retuning with Antonio Conte for an initial fee of around £25m, with £12m in potential add-ons.

Lukaku won Serie A under Conte’s stewardship at Inter Milan in 2021 and his form saw the Blues splash out £97.5m to bring the striker back to Stamford Bridge later that year.

Tino Anjorin and Kepa Arrizabalaga have also left Chelsea today, joining Empoli and Bournemouth respectively.

Mudryk battling for Chelsea future

17:40 , Matt Verri

Unglamorous and inconvenient, the Conference League is nonetheless likely to be important for Chelsea’s fringe players and, in spite of his price tag, Mykhailo Mudryk is increasingly in danger of becoming part of that group.

Mudryk has started two of Enzo Maresca’s three games in charge, including the 2-0 win over Servette a week ago, but his place in the pecking order suddenly appears as precarious as at any point since his £62million move from Shakhtar Donetsk 18 months ago.

The Ukrainian was hooked at half-time of Sunday’s 6-2 thrashing of Wolves for new signing Pedro Neto following another largely ineffective 45 minutes, and Chelsea were rampant in a clinical second half.

Noni Madueke hit a 15-minute hat-trick, while another new addition, Joao Felix, marked his second debut with a goal from the bench, assisted by Neto.

“I didn’t speak with Misha after Wolves,” head coach Maresca said. “He is very intelligent and he can understand the reason why we changed. You know very well when the manager changes you it’s because probably you are not doing well.”

Click here for our full preview!

Standard Sport prediction

17:33 , Matt Verri

Chelsea should make light work of a team which posed some threat in the first leg, but ultimately has too much to do to rescue the tie.

Chelsea to win 3-1 on the night, 5-1 on aggregate.

Chelsea team news

17:20 , Matt Verri

Chelsea are set to make changes for tonight’s Europa Conference League play-off tie.

A much-changed XI beat Servette at Stamford Bridge last week and a similar team is expected to play in Geneva.

Enzo Maresca registered his squad for the tie before the first-leg lead was opened up, so there will be no opportunities for the likes of Raheem Sterling or Ben Chilwell as well as a swathe of youngsters.

Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong and Kiano Dyer are the academy talents included on the list but none of those featured on the bench in west London.

George and Acheampong have both made the trip to Switzerland, along with 18-year-old academy midfielder Harrison McMahon.

Reece James did make the cut but is still out with a hamstring injury, with Maresca hoping he will be back in action after the looming international break. Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia have also been carrying knocks since the win at Wolves, with the latter also not expected back until after the internationals.

Joao Felix joined after the registration deadline so won’t fly out with Chelsea, while Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto are also not involved.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Nkunku, Mudryk; Guiu

How to watch Servette vs Chelsea

17:09 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Chelsea TV. A match pass is expected to cost £4.99. Kick-off is at 7.30pm BST.

Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the Chelsea TV app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here!

Good evening!

17:01 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Servette vs Chelsea!

It’s the second leg of this Europa Conference League play-off tie, with the Blues 2-0 up on aggregate after their win at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca will want his side to ensure there is no drama tonight.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 7:30pm BST from the Stade de Geneve.