Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea: James & Enzo strike to secure first-leg lead for Blues

Conference League favourites Chelsea took control of their last-16 tie against Copenhagen with a narrow first-leg win in Denmark.

After failing to register a first-half shot on target, Enzo Maresca's side took the lead within a minute of the restart.

Marc Cucurella, on for the injured Malo Gusto, ran down the left and pulled the ball back with captain Reece James scoring with a fine low strike from 30 yards out.

Copenhagen almost equalised a few minutes later but Viktor Claesson's angled strike bounced off the inside of the post and back into the hands of grateful Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

But Chelsea doubled their advantage in the 65th minute.

Cucurella was again involved as he won the ball close to the left touchline and Christopher Nkunku released Tyrique George whose cut-back was side-footed into the net by substitute Enzo Fernandez.

Copenhagen did manage to get a goal back when Gabriel Pereira produced a powerful header to convert Marcos Lopez's deep free-kick, although Chelsea are still in a strong position to move into the quarter-finals.

The second leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, 13 March and the overall winners will play either Norwegian side Molde or Legia Warsaw from Poland in the last eight.

Line-ups

Copenhagen XI: V. Claesson, Birger Meling, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Kevin Diks, Diant Ramaj, Gabriel Pereira, Giorgi Gocholeishvili, Elias Achouri, William Clem, Victor Froholdt, Amin Chiakha

Subs: Rasmus Falk, Runarsson, Marcos López, Nathan Trott, Magnus Mattsson, Rodrigo Huescas, Munashe Garananga, Robert, Hunor Németh

Chelsea XI: Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Robert Sánchez, Dewsbury-Hall, Badiashile, Cole Palmer, Caicedo, Gusto, Tyrique George, Shumaira Mheuka

Subs: Cucurella, Nkunku, Sancho, Pedro Neto, Jørgensen, Enzo, Bergstrom, Colwill, Josh Acheampong, Mathis Amougou