Cole Palmer stuns, Malo Gusto disastrous – Chelsea ratings in 4-1 win vs Real Betis
Chelsea completed their collection of major European trophies with a thumping second half performance against Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final.
Having secured Champions League football with victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday (25 May), this was a chance for Enzo Maresca‘s side to end the season with a trophy as well.
However, they would fall behind to Abde Ezzalzouli’s opening goal after just nine minutes, which was enough to give the La Liga side a 1-0 lead at half time.
Chelsea though found an equaliser shortly after the hour-mark, as Enzo Fernandez headed in a pinpoint cross from Cole Palmer.
The Blues then completed the turnaround in quickfire fashion, as Nicolas Jackson turned in another Palmer cross, before Jadon Sancho produced a stunning finish to make it 3-1.
Moises Caicedo then put the icing on the cake by making it 4-1 in stoppage time, ensuring Maresca’s side would indeed end the campaign in perfect style.
| Chelsea last five games | Result |
| Djurgarden (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Newcastle United (A) | Lost 2-0 |
| Manchester United (H) | Won 1-0 |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Real Betis (N) | Won 4-1 |
Here is how Football Insider rated the performances of the Chelsea squad in that final against Real Betis on Wednesday night.
Chelsea win first trophy of Boehly-Clearlake era
Filip Jorgensen – 7
Nothing he could do about the opener and produced one excellent save to prevent Betis making it 2-0 which may have proven vital.
Malo Gusto (off for James, ’46) – 2
Chelsea fans slammed Gusto for the opening Betis goal, with the right-back losing possession and failing to track back, and he was taken off at the break having never settled. A disastrous display.
Trevoh Chalobah – 7
Chalobah has impressed since returning from his loan spell with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in January, and was solid again here to secure his own winners medal this season. The surprise turn of the final months of the campaign.
Benoit Badiashile (off for Colwill, ’61) – 6
Continued to start in Europe despite a lack of games in the Premier League, and was solid enough before being taken off after picking up a booking.
Marc Cucurella – 8
Even as Chelsea struggled in the first half the left-back was one of the more steady defensive performers, and showed some excellent distrubution as well.
Chelsea come from behind after Enzo Fernandez equaliser
Enzo Fernandez – 8
Has added goals to his game this season and demonstrated that again at the perfect time here with a perfectly timed run into the area to head in the equaliser.
Moises Caicedo – 7
Caicedo cleaned up at Chelsea’s end of season awards, and it felt fitting that he was the one to round of the campaign with the fourth goal in stoppage time.
Noni Madueke – 6
Made some good runs but ultimately couldn’t get at his opposition full-back with the sort of impact he would have expected or desired.
Cole Palmer (off for Guiu, ’87) – 9 – Player of the Match
Vital. Palmer has struggled for Chelsea in recent months at times, but after a quiet start to this game, stepped up brilliantly to run the show with two incredible assists that turned the game in his side’s favour, before going off to a deserved standing ovation shortly before full time.
Pedro Neto (off for Sancho, ’61) – 5
Had one or two encouraging moments but like the rest of his attackers didn’t pose as much of a threat as he would have liked before being taken off.
Nicolas Jackson (off for Dewsbury-Hall, ’80) – 6
Jackson returned to the Chelsea side for the first time since his sending off at Newcastle, but posed little threat other than when he managed to chest in the cross from Palmer to put the Blues in front.
Substitutions
Enzo Maresca substitutions help make the difference
Reece James (on for Gusto, ’46) – 8
A surprise he didn’t start, and he vindicated any frustration he had about that by driving an improved performance from his side after the break.
Levi Colwill (on for Badiashile, ’61) – 7
Another who will have wanted to start who made some important defensive contributions after coming on.
Jadon Sancho (on for Neto, ’61) – 7
An absolutely stunning finish to make it 3-1 and all but seal the win. Remains to be seen what his future holds but that was a reminder of his quality.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (on for Jackson, ’80) – 6
Thoroughly deserved his appearance in the final with how big a part he has played for Chelsea in the Conference League.
Marc Guiu (on for Palmer, ’87) – 6
Will be pleased to have get on for the final minutes having featured on numerous occasions in the competition this.