JONATHAN SHALLARD in WROCLAW: Chelsea overcame a sluggish start and concession of an early goal to recover superbly and beat Betis 4-1 in the Conference League Final in Poland.

The drive of halftime substitute Reece James and the creative brilliance of Cole Palmer provided the foundation for second-half goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jadon, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo which made Betis’ halftime advantage a distant memory.

This was Chelsea’s ninth European trophy but also hailed them as the only club to have won all the five continental prizes after the Champions League, the old Cup-winners Cup, the Europa League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.

Chelsea had set out with the cushion of a place already awaiting them in the Champions League next season but impatient to land a first trophy after three blank years of the post-Roman Abramovich era.

Manager Enzo Maresca had made five changes from the team who concluded the Premier League campaign successfully at Nottingham Forest on Sunday but the revised line-up allowed ex-Real Madrid star Isco too much space in midfield and struggled to withstand the left-wing pace of Abde Ezzalzouli.

Hence the Spanish club claimed an initial breakthrough in the ninth minute when the experienced captain Isco provided Moroccan Ezzalzouli with time and space in which to shoot low past keeper Mats Jorgensen’s left hand.

Chelsea, when they did knit their attacks together found the Betis central defence standing tall and holding a deserved interval lead.

Then it all changed.

Crucial substitutions

Maresca rewarded the demands of Blues’ fans by bringing on captain Reece James at halftime instead of the ineffective Malo Gusto. James brought more urgency to the Chelsea midfield and Maresca capitalised by bringing Sancho and Levi Colwill into the action – Sancho in a European final again after appearing for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last term.

Minutes later Chelsea were on terms after Palmer clipped in a left-foot cross from the right wing and Fernandez headed low past keeper Adrien’s right hand. Five minutes later, in the 70th, the outstanding Palmer turned the left flank of the Betis defence inside out so the unmarked Jackson could head home from close range.

Sancho, the Manchester United loanee, thundered in from the left to put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute.

The teams:

Betis: Adrian – Sabaly, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez (Perraud 46) – Fornals (Sergi Altimira 85), Cardoso (Lo Celso 85) – Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli (Jesus Rodriguez 53) – Bakambu (Aitor Ruibal 72). Coach: Pellegrini.

Chelsea: Jorgensen – Gusto (James 46), Chalobah, Badiashile (Colwill 62), Cucurella – Caicedo, Fernandez – Pedro Neto (Sancho 61), Palmer (Marc Guiu 88), Madueke – Jackson (Dewsbury-Hall 80). Manager: Maresca.

Referee: Peljto (Bosnia). VAR: Brisard (Fra).

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