Chelsea were beaten 2-1 on the night but progressed on aggregate
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Chelsea into Conference League group stageBeat Swiss side Servette 3-2 on aggregate Nkunku scores but Blues lose second legGetty Images SportTELL ME MORE
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea side would likely have come into their second leg UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Servette with real confidence, having won the first leg 2-0, but they were very nearly humbled in Switzerland by their hard-running opponents.
Chelsea had the lead within the first 15 minutes, as Mykhailo Mudryk won a penalty and Christopher Nkunku found the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Servette rallied, however, and were level on the night just after the half-hour mark. Dereck Kutesa surged forward and was able to find Jeremy Guillemenot, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner to give the Swiss side hope of a miraculous comeback.
With 20 minutes to go, Servette added a second and were within a goal of a truly remarkable turnaround. Enzo Crivelli got on the end of Miroslav Stevanovic's cross and Filip Jorgensen could not keep it out, despite getting a hand to the ball.
Nicolas Jackson thought he had levelled things on the night as he finished coolly in the box but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Cole Palmer then managed to hit the bar as Chelsea tried to kill the game off.
In the 93rd minute, Timothe Cognat curled an effort just past the post, as Servette came within an inch of forcing extra time.
The home side were applauded off after a stirring display, but it just wasn't quite enough. For Chelsea, questions persist.
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Servette were absolutely sensational. The Swiss side had next to no hope coming into the game, and even less when they fell 3-0 behind on aggregate, but they mounted a stirring, if ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to embarrass Enzo Maresca's expensively-assembled second string. They leave the competition with their heads held high.
THE BIG LOSER
Marc Guiu is still a young striker but he was essentially feeding off scraps here. When the ball was sent into his feet, he struggled to control it, and lost the ball in the build-up to Servette's opener. He is just 18 and appears coachable – his pressing is excellent – but he simply must improve his interplay.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend with a London derby against Crystal Palace. They have won one and drawn one of their opening two Premier League games thus far.