'Stupid' to suggest Chelsea not Conference League favourites – Dewsbury-Hall

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall says it would be "stupid" for Chelsea to not acknowledge they are Europa Conference League favourites after advancing to the quarter-finals.

Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 in the second leg of their last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, clinching a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

Enzo Maresca was able to rest some big names for the game, with Cole Palmer, Reece James and Marc Cucurella coming off the bench, while 17-year-old Genesis Antwi was also brought on for his debut.

Chelsea are heavy favourites to win UEFA's third-tier competition, with their wage bill dwarfing those of their competitors. 

And when speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Dewsbury-Hall said Chelsea cannot ignore that reality.

"Chelsea have won the Champions League, the Europa League, it would be stupid of us to say we can't win this," the former Leicester City man said.

"It's not arrogant from us but we just know the quality that we have in the squad. Copenhagen are a good team but we are happy to be through."

Dewsbury-Hall created three chances in the second leg, more than any other player on the pitch, while only Moises Caicedo (17) bettered his 12 passes into the final third.

He skipped through several challenges before finishing left-footed for his 55th-minute strike, his third goal in the competition this season. 

"It was nice to get a lead in the first leg coming to Stamford Bridge and we are safely into the quarters," he said.

"I saw a gap and managed to jinx through. I thought I would pick my spot and luckily it came off, I practise it after training and was happy to produce it in a match."