Copenhagen1 - 2Chelsea

There was little to report on in the first 45 minutes, as both teams looked tidy in possession but failed to offer any significant attacking threat, with each side being limited to a couple of half chances, meaning the game remained goalless heading into the break.

The second half instantly offered more action, bursting into life as Chelsea's captain Reece James spectacularly opened the scoring less than a minute after the restart, and Copenhagen nearly responded immediately, as, just four minutes later, Viktor Claesson struck the post.

The game continued to see chances for both sides, and it would be Chelsea who found the net next, this time capitalizing on a defensive mix-up and setting up Enzo Fernandez to double their lead, but it did not take long for Copenhagen to strike back as Gabriel Pereira headed into the top corner with just over 10 minutes to play.

Copenhagen pushed for the equaliser in the closing minutes of the match, but the visitors were able to deny them any meaningful chances, taking the sting out of the game by holding possession until the final whistle eventually went to confirm Chelsea's victory.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Chelsea produced an extremely underwhelming performance tonight, failing to register a shot on target in the entirety of the first half, only scraping the victory as they scored both of their eventual shots at goal.

While they were disappointing in the attacking third, they were similarly poor in defensive positions, with Copenhagen having numerous opportunities to find the back of the net, including striking the post and wasting several other chances.

Despite the performance, Enzo Maresca will be pleased that his side were able to secure the victory, giving the Blues the upper hand as they return to Stamford Bridge for next week's second leg.

COPENHAGEN VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS

Reece James goal vs. Copenhagen (46th min, Copenhagen 0-1 Chelsea)

Chelsea have the lead! James scores with their first shot on target!

Christopher Nkunku appears to be fouled on the left side, but the referee brilliantly plays the advantage as Marc Cucurella charges onto the loose ball and drives down the line.

The ball is cut back to just outside the area, and James walks onto the ball and fires a low, driven shot into the bottom left corner, a superb finish from the captain.

Enzo Fernandez goal vs. Copenhagen (65th min, Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea)

Fernandez has scored! Chelsea double their lead!

Giorgi Gocholeishvili loses the ball deep inside the Copenhagen half, and Chelsea quickly move the ball into the box with Tyrique George.

George drives into the area and pulls the ball back for Fernandez, and the Argentinian fires across goal and into the top right corner to score Chelsea's second.

Gabriel Pereira goal vs. Copenhagen (80th min, Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea)

Copenhagen are back in the game! Pereira powers a header into the net!

A Copenhagen free-kick is delivered deep into the Chelsea box and finds the head of Pereira near the back post, where the defender has been left unmarked.

Pereira meets the ball with a powerful header, firing his effort into the top right corner to pull one back for the hosts.

MAN OF THE MATCH - REECE JAMES

Neither of the two sides were particularly impressive tonight, leaving very few feasible options to award the man of the match, but Reece James was the standout choice.

The Chelsea captain featured in a midfield role for the Blues, and James was able to help dictate the tempo of play and show both attacking threat and defensive solidity.

James not only scored a wonderful long range strike to open the scoring, but also made one interception, one tackle and won three duels during the 90 minutes - marking a solid all-round performance.

COPENHAGEN VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS

Possession: Copenhagen 38%-62% Chelsea

Shots: Copenhagen 5-5 Chelsea

Shots on target: Copenhagen 2-2 Chelsea

Corners: Copenhagen 1-0 Chelsea

Fouls: Copenhagen 10-5 Chelsea

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Copenhagen will briefly return to league action, taking on SonderjyskE in the Danish Superliga, before travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the second leg.

As for Chelsea, they will aim to get their Champions League pursuit back on track when they face Leicester in the Premier League, followed by hosting Copenhagen next Thursday.

Written by

Ellis Stevens