Chelsea Rack Up Historic UEFA Conference League Win Against Noah.
Chelsea racked up the biggest UEFA Conference League victory ever and our biggest win since 2012 as we dismantled Armenian side Noah at Stamford Bridge. Our six first-half goals went in two by two. The floodgates opened in the space of 60 seconds as Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu bagged their first goals in Chelsea blue.
Before the midway point of the half, Axel Disasi and Joao Felix added to that tally in quick succession as wave after wave of Chelsea attacks rained down on Noah’s beleaguered defence. The next brace of quickfire goals came from the right boots of Mykhailo Mudryk, an outstanding effort from 20 yards, and Joao Felix once more.
Hopes we could maybe even better our record victory of 13-0, secured in the Cup Winners’ Cup against Jeunesse Hautcharage in 1971, were dashed in the second half as Noah tried to raise the drawbridge. We did manage two more goals, however, both scored by Christopher Nkunku as he continued his outstanding record in this competition.
The emphatic 8-0 result matched our scoreline in a Premier League fixture against Aston Villa in 2012, with most of the damage inflicted in a remarkable opening 45-minute blitz. Unsurprisingly, we retain our place at the top of the Conference League standings!
A Line-Up Boost
Team selection brought some surprises, with Tyrique George handed a start. The youngster, who had impressed in substitute appearances earlier this season, lined up on the right-hand side of an attacking quartet behind Marc Guiu. The Spaniard returned to the starting XI for the first time since the qualifiers in this competition.
George’s full debut was well earned, and there was a palpable buzz of anticipation among the Stamford Bridge faithful. Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made way for George and Guiu, but otherwise, the squad felt familiar, having featured regularly in Enzo Maresca's cup selections this season.
As the warm-ups concluded, the crowd observed a heartfelt moment, paying tribute to John Dempsey, our FA Cup and Cup Winners' Cup-winning defender, who had passed away earlier in the week. Dempsey played in the historic 8-0 win against Jeunesse Hautcharage over half a century ago, and this was a night in his honour.
A Nervy Start Before the Chelsea Barrage
Noah came close to stunning the Bridge just two minutes into the match. A rapid counter-attack ended with Goncalo Gregoria firing a shot close to Filip Jorgensen, who stood firm to make a crucial save. It was a sharp reminder that Noah, despite their underdog status, were here to compete. They made another attempt to breach our defence with an incisive pass, but Chelsea’s resilience held strong.
Despite Noah's early threat, Chelsea quickly stamped our authority on the game. In the sixth minute, George and Nkunku combined beautifully on the edge of the box, and George's cross found Joao Felix, who agonisingly missed from close range. But Chelsea would soon hit our stride, and by the 12th minute, the floodgates opened.
Goals Galore in the First Half
The opener came from a corner, our first set-piece goal since April. Enzo Fernandez’s delivery found Tosin Adarabioyo, who outmuscled his marker and cleverly guided his header into the net. Just moments later, Marc Guiu intercepted a back-pass and finished confidently, notching his first Chelsea goal and sparking jubilant celebrations in front of the Shed End.
Chelsea’s relentless pressure continued, and it wasn’t long before Axel Disasi added our third goal, another header from a Fernandez corner. With Noah’s defence crumbling, Joao Felix capitalised on a loose ball and coolly chipped over the keeper for 4-0 within 21 minutes. Guiu nearly doubled his tally, but his header was just about cleared off the line.
The onslaught didn't stop there. Mykhailo Mudryk scored the pick of the bunch, launching a ferocious strike from 20 yards that left the keeper with no chance. Mudryk’s confident nod to the crowd encapsulated the mood of a Chelsea side brimming with confidence. Just minutes later, Disasi initiated a counter-attack, releasing Joao Felix, who slotted his second of the match with the help of a deflection. Chelsea entered the break with a commanding 6-0 lead.
Second Half: Nkunku Seals the Deal
The second half saw Dewsbury-Hall and Cesare Casadei replace Guiu and Fernandez, and Chelsea maintained our attacking intent. Benoit Badiashile had his first attempt of the match, volleying over from a Dewsbury-Hall cross. Joao Felix and Nkunku continued to test the overworked Noah goalkeeper, Chancharevich, who made several commendable saves.
Nkunku, however, was not to be denied. In the 69th minute, Joao Felix’s clever through pass found the French forward, who had his initial effort blocked but managed to squeeze the rebound past a defender. Chelsea celebrated our seventh goal of the night. Nkunku soon scored his second from the penalty spot, earned after Dewsbury-Hall was fouled. With a powerful strike down the middle, Nkunku brought his tally to six goals in the competition.
Youngster Samuel Rak-Sakyi made his Chelsea debut with 11 minutes to play, replacing Nkunku. Casadei came close to scoring, only for Chancharevich to tip his shot over, while Chukwuemeka struck the post in stoppage time. Rak-Sakyi had a chance to cap off a dream debut but sent his half-volley over the bar.
What It Means for Chelsea
Chelsea's dominant display keeps us at the top of our UEFA Conference League group, with a goal difference of +13. We remain one of six teams with maximum points in the competition, and our confidence will be sky-high ahead of Sunday’s London derby against Arsenal. It promises to be a thrilling encounter before the international break.
Final Whistle Thoughts
It was a night to remember for Chelsea, not just for the emphatic scoreline but for the celebration of John Dempsey's legacy and the chance for new stars like Tyrique George to shine. The future looks bright for the Blues, and with performances like this, European nights at Stamford Bridge will continue to be special.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Fernandez (c) (Casadei h/t); George (Chukwuemeka 68), Nkunku (Rak-Sakyi 79), Joao Felix, Mudryk; Guiu (Dewsbury-Hall h/t)
Unused Subs: Sanchez, Merrick, Cucurella, Gusto, Madueke
Scorers: Tosin 12, Guiu 13, Disasi 18, Joao Felix 21, 41, Mudryk 39, Nkunku 69, 76 (pen)
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