Chelsea's number nine was lethal off the bench as Enzo Maresca's wingers proved their worth in a romping Conference League semi-final win
Substitute Nicolas Jackson scored two goals to put Chelsea within touching distance of the Conference League final with a commanding 4-1 win at Djurgarden.
The visitors had to deal with an unfamiliar artificial pitch and a raucous home crowd but took the lead in the 13th minute when Jadon Sancho's tame shot ricocheted off the hapless Marcus Danielson.
Marc Cucurella was a whisker away from making it 2-0 shortly after when his powerful strike from the edge of the box whistled past the post. Reece James' lofted pass over the top set Noni Madueke on his way but his shot from 10 yards was well saved by goalkeeper Jacob Rinne.
The Chelsea winger eventually got his goal two minutes before the break when he swept home Enzo Fernandez's well-weighted lay-off. At the other end, Filip Jorgensen made a great reaction save to keep out Tokmac Nguen's deflected effort on the stroke of half time.
The away side rang the changes after the interval, and initially it seemed to unsettle them, with Hampus Finndell rifling a rasping effort inches wide of the post. Chelsea were once again indebted to Jorgensen's athleticism when he superbly kept out Adam Stahl's header from eight yards out.
Against the run of play, the west London outfit were gifted a third following a mix-up between the woebegone Danielsson and Rinne, and substitute Nicolas Jackson was on hand to capitalise in the 59th minute. Substitute Moises Caicedo then pickpocketed the home team's defence, before Jackson powered an unstoppable strike into the top corner six minutes later.
Djurgarden pulled a goal back when Isak Alemayehu headed down into the ground and beyond Jorgensen in the 68th minute to send the home fans into raptures. It should have been 4-2 but Stahl missed a sitter from six yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Chelsea eased to victory on Thursday night to put them on the cusp of another European final.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from 3Arena…
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Filip Jorgensen (8/10):
Pulled off an important flying stop in first-half stoppage time and two more impressive ones in the second half but not much he could do for Djurgarden's consolation.
Josh Acheampong (7/10):
The youngster looked calm and composed at the back and seems to be enjoying his European outings.
Benoit Badiashile (6/10):
At times, it is clear to see why he isn't Chelsea's first-choice centre-back but he didn't do much wrong in this encounter.
Tosin Adarabioyo (7/10):
Seems to have a bit more about him than his centre-back partner and marshalled his team's backline well.
Marc Cucurella (8/10):
The Spain international linked play nicely in attack, was assured in possession, and threatened Djurgarden's goal on a couple of occasions.
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Reece James (7/10):
The England international did his defensive duties well and showed a good array of passes in his 45-minute outing.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6/10):
While the former Leicester City man showed glimpses of what he can do, he needs to add more consistency and quality to get more game time.
Enzo Fernandez (8/10):
Picked out Sancho with a lovely cross into the box for Chelsea's opener and neatly set up Madueke to put his side in control. The Argentine ran the show in midfield.
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Noni Madueke (7/10):
Could have had a hat-trick on the night but his goal and all-round display proved too much for Djurgarden.
Tyrique George (7/10):
Started as Chelsea's lead attacker and largely held his own, before switching to the right in the second half. A solid outing for the 19-year-old.
Jadon Sancho (7/10):
Got on the scoresheet in rather fortuitous fashion but worked hard for his team at both ends of the pitch. Still, arguably, needs to show a bit more substance in attack but was selfless at times.
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Nicolas Jackson (8/10):
Was in the right place at the right time for Chelsea's third and then took his second in stunning fashion in what is a welcome return to form.
Cole Palmer (6/10):
Got an assist for Jackson's goal but he still looks low on confidence as his goal drought continues.
Trevoh Chalobah (6/10):
Slipped on a couple of occasions but was largely untroubled.
Moises Caicedo (7/10):
With one of his first touches, he robbed a defender and set up Jackson for Chelsea's fourth.
Reggie Walsh (7/10):
The 16-year-old made his Chelsea debut in a European semi-final. That will be something he will never forget and he nearly scored a rasping effort with his first touch.
Enzo Maresca (8/10):
The Italian left some of his heavyhitters on the bench for the first half and it paid off as a weaker Chelsea side saw off the Swedish outfit with relative comfort. He got the chance to manage the minutes of some important players ahead of a huge game at home to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
