Chelsea are all but into the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League and much discussed striker Nicolas Jackson came through for the Blues on Thursday in a 4-1 semifinal first leg victory at Swedish side Djurgårdens.
The Senegal national team forward was at his most dangerous in the second half after Chelsea had already secured a 2-0 lead in Sweden. The Lion of Teranga pounced on a defensive error close to the hour mark and tapped in Chelsea’s third.
Less than six minutes later, Jackson completed his brace. The 23-year-old received a pass from Moisands Caicedo at the edge of the penalty area and showed off his killer instinct with a quick move and finish into the top corner. Jackson now 12 goals and 5 assists in 31 matches across all competitions.
In the other semifinal first leg from Thursday, Real Betis hold a slight edge over Italian side Fiorentina and an African connection created the opening goal. In the 6th minute, Congolese striker Canddric Bakambu continued his stellar form in the Conference League by muscling off a defender on the right wing before assisting Abde Ezzalzouli for an easy finish from close range.
Manchester United loanee Antony doubled Betis’ lead at Estadio Benito Villamarinn but Fiorentina fought back to give themselves a shot in the second leg at home after Luca Ranieri scored later on in the second half.
Bakambu is second on the Conference League scoring list, providing 7 goals and 2 assists in UEFA competition this season compared to only 2 goals in 21 matches from Spain’s top flight La Liga. Ezzalzouli now has 4 goals in 13 Conference League games, giving him 7 goals and 4 assists in 42 games in all competitions.
