A Hattrick From Guiu
A hattrick from Guiu propels Chelsea to a decisive victory over Shamrock Rovers.
Chelsea easily defeated Shamrock Rovers to win the Conference League league. Phase and deny their visitors a spot in the knockout. Stage thanks to a hat-trick from teenager Marc Guiu in the first half.
With yet another crushing victory, Enzo Maresca’s young Blues. Who were already guaranteed a position in the round of 16, made it six victories from six in the campaign.
They made their early pressure pay off when 18-year-old attacker. Guiu took advantage of a miscommunication between goalkeeper Leon Pohls and Darragh Burns to take a well-earned lead.
To the pleasure of their 3,000 travelling fans, Rovers, who had come near twice through. Johnny Kenny before Guiu’s first goal, tied the score when Markus Poom’s hard shot deflected in off midfielder Cesare Casadei.
However, the festivities were short-lived as. Guiu managed to direct the ball into the back of the net from the narrowest of angles after intercepting. Daniel Cleary’s under-hit back pass.
Before Guiu finished his trifecta with a close-range header in first-half stoppage time. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hammered home a loose ball inside the area to give the Blues breathing room.
Chelsea finished the league phase campaign in spectacular fashion after. Marc Cucurella’s low shot in the second half struck the inside of the post on its way past Pohls.
Shamrock Rovers, on the other hand, are waiting for Friday’s draw as they enter the knockout phase of the playoffs.
After a Momentary Scare, The Blues Have it Easy.
Although the opening half was more complicated than. Maresca and his team may have expected. Thursday’s match followed a similar pattern to Chelsea’s prior Conference League encounters at Stamford Bridge this season. At least not at first.
Even though they had the most of the ball. The home team nearly lost the counterattack when Kenny nearly scored twice for the fifth straight Conference League game.
Shortly after Guiu’s opening goal, the Celtic loanee missed. Burns’ low pass with the score still goalless and was denied by a flying save from Filip Jorgensen.
Poom’s equalizer gave the home team a shock, but as. Spanish youngster Guiu took advantage of yet another mistake in the Rovers defense to put Chelsea ahead again, there was no turning back.
Before Guiu, who scored twice in last week’s 3-1 triumph against Astana, scored his sixth European goal of the season with a well-taken header. Dewsbury-Hall virtually finished the match as a battle.
It should come as no surprise that Maresca’s team slowed down in the second half, but they still had opportunities to extend their lead following Cucurella’s attempt. Joao Felix missed a shot shortly after taking Guiu’s place around the hour mark.
Before Jorgensen’s brilliant stop denied Graham Burke a late consolation, the excellent Tyrique George also had a shot blocked.
Rovers finish their league phase campaign with pride and can look forward to continue their European adventure in the coming year, even though their undefeated Conference League record came to an end at Stamford Bridge.
