‎Cole Palmer inspires Chelsea's 4-1 comeback win over Real Betis in UEFA Conference League final

‎Chelsea are UEFA Conference League champions after a sensational second-half surge saw them dismantle Real Betis 4-1 in a thrilling final at the Wroclaw Stadium.

‎

‎Chelsea crush Real Betis 4-1 in Conference League final! Cole Palmer stars as Blues seal stunning comeback with second-half goal blitz.

‎Getty/GOAL

‎

‎After a dismal first half, Enzo Maresca’s men roared back into the match with standout performances from Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Nicolas Jackson. Palmer, Chelsea’s undisputed assist-king, was central to the turnaround as he orchestrated two vital goals in quick succession to flip the game on its head.

‎

‎First-Half Frustration

‎

‎The opening 45 minutes were a nightmare for Chelsea. Just nine minutes in, a critical error from Malo Gusto gifted possession to Isco, whose sublime pass freed Abde Ezzalzouli to fire Betis into the lead. Chelsea looked vulnerable across the pitch, with Real Betis dominating midfield and probing the Blues' fragile backline.

‎

‎Marc Bartra nearly doubled Betis' advantage with a long-range effort that forced Filip Jorgensen into a full-stretch save. Chelsea were fortunate to head into the break only a goal down, having failed to test Adrian in the Betis net.

‎

‎Palmer Powers the Turnaround

‎

‎Everything changed after the interval. A rejuvenated Chelsea emerged with urgency and aggression, driven by a resurgent midfield and the creativity of Cole Palmer. In the 66th minute, Palmer darted forward and delivered a pinpoint diagonal ball that Enzo Fernandez met with a precise header to equalise.

‎

‎Moments later, Palmer dazzled again—skinning his marker on the right before sending in a low cross that Nicolas Jackson nudged into the net to put Chelsea ahead.

‎

‎Late Goals Seal the Trophy

‎

‎Jadon Sancho, coming off the bench, added a touch of class in the closing stages. Set up by a determined run from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the winger curled a sublime effort past Adrian to make it 3-1. Moises Caicedo completed the rout before full-time, blasting in Chelsea’s fourth after a clever pass from Fernandez.

‎

‎Player Ratings Highlight Second-Half Surge

‎

‎Palmer’s 8/10 performance was the standout, followed by Fernandez (7/10) and Jackson (7/10). The defence, however, struggled in the first half, with Gusto and Badiashile receiving low marks (3/10 and 4/10 respectively). Substitutes like Reece James and Levi Colwill helped stabilise the backline, while Maresca’s in-game adjustments earned him an impressive 8/10.

‎

‎Maresca’s Moment of Glory

‎Manager Enzo Maresca, who was under pressure at half-time, masterminded a tactical shift that overwhelmed Real Betis. His ability to unleash Palmer's creativity and bring composure to midfield proved decisive.

‎

‎Chelsea Crowned Conference League Champions

‎

‎The final whistle confirmed Chelsea’s first UEFA Conference League triumph and underlined the team’s growing chemistry under Maresca. With Palmer rising as a talisman, Fernandez dictating play, and Jackson sharpening his edge in front of goal, the Blues now look ready to challenge for bigger European honours.