Hello and welcome to football.london for live coverage of Chelsea's final UEFA Conference League league phase match against Shamrock Rovers.
The Irish side, still bidding for qualification to the next round of the European competition, come to Stamford Bridge this evening. Chelsea ensured their own qualification last week with a comfortable victory in Kazakhstan against Astana - meaning this evening's match is an opportunity for head coach Enzo Maresca to rest some players ahead of this weekend's crucial trip to Everton in the Premier League.
Last week, we saw the likes of Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Josh Acheampong, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Harvey Vale, Ato Ampah and Shim Mheuka all given a chance in the first-team. Maresca is set to once again hand some of the academy stars an opportunity, but this time at Stamford Bridge, tonight.
Kick-off in SW6 is scheduled for 8pm GMT - and you can follow live coverage throughout the night right here with Bobby Vincent in west London...
Key Events
FULL-TIME
Chelsea 5-1 Shamrock Rovers
Routine in the end for Chelsea, who finish top of the Conference League table. Six wins from six.
So close!
Almost a first goal for George! Great footwork from the youngster but Lopes throws his body in front of the goal-bound shot.
Rak-Sakyi on
Another youngster... a bit more familiar with this one. Rak-Sakyi comes on for Dewsbury-Hall, who played well tonight.
Chance for Felix
Felix with a chance to score but his effort is too close to Pohls. A good ball from Dewsbury-Hall to set up the chance.
More on the goal
Nkunku finds Cucurella, whose touch inside is superb and so is his right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Half-time player ratings
Filip Jorgensen - 6
Josh Acheampong - 6
Axel Disasi - 5
Renato Veiga - 6
Marc Cucurella - 6
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 8
Cesare Casadei - 6
Noni Madueke - 6
Christopher Nkunku - 6
Tyrique George - 7
Marc Guiu - 9
Half-time
Chelsea 3-1 Shamrock Rovers
Marc Guiu has three, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has one and Markus Poom has scored for the visitors.
More on the goal
Nkunku looks as if he is going to score but Lopes slides in and gets the ball, but it falls to Dewsbury-Hall, who rolls in for his second goal for Chelsea.
More on the goal
Another mistake from the visitors at the back. This time, Clearly, whose back-pass is too light. Guiu is on it like a flash, rounds the goalkeeper and rolls the ball into an empty net. Great from the striker.
Goal: Chelsea 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
From the resulting corner, Poom equalises. Corner ball falls out to Poom, whose strike is brilliant. It takes a deflection which leaves Jorgensen with no chance.
Chance for Shamrock
Kenny again. This time he is fed in behind and gets beyond Disasi but sees his shot tipped behind by Jorgensen.
More on the goal
Veiga loops the ball over the top and Burns tries to head it back to goalkeeper Pohls but he gets it all wrong. It loops over Pohls and Guiu has the simple task of heading it into an empty net. Three goals in two matches for the Spaniash teenager!
Big chance for Shamrock
Shamrock with the best chance of the game so far. A cross from the right-hand side looks as if Kenny is going to tuck it away. However, the visitors' No.24 cannot make the required contact.
Half chance
There is not too much to report just yet but Lopes had just made a crucial block on a Guiu effort. Chelsea had won the ball back from Rovers high up the pitch via their press.
Stoppage
A slight stoppage as Nkunku goes to take a corner but is bombarded by Shamrock fans throwing toilet roll in his direction.
Warm-ups done
Both teams have now headed back down the tunnel...
Maresca on Acheampong starting
Firstly I am very happy [for Josh] because we found an agreement and I'm also happy for the club so he can stay with us. We are hoping he can stay with us for a long time and we're hoping we can give them all minutes and chances.
Here we are
We are in position.
Last European night for a while. #CFC pic.twitter.com/MSrZty9UIi
— Bobby Vincent (@BobbyVincentFL) December 19, 2024
Maresca on the opponents
"They are a very good team, they defend very well as a block and it’s difficult to find space so it’s about finding a solution. It will be a complicated game but hopefully, we can win."
