Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall makes confident Chelsea prediction as Conference League pathway clear

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has credited crucial half-time adjustments for Chelsea's hard-earned 1-0 victory over Copenhagen, which secured their spot in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win.

The Blues booked their place in the next round of the Conference League thanks to a decisive display from Dewsbury-Hall after a challenging first half where Copenhagen proved tough to crack. The former Leicester City man scored his third goal of the season on Thursday night and will be hoping to push on in the remaining months of the season.

The midfielder confessed that he anticipated a stubborn and resolute Copenhagen side, having experienced a similar encounter in Denmark last week. However, the 26-year-old highlighted the significance of the Blues' patience and disclosed that half-time changes sparked an enhanced performance and ultimately led to his goal.

"Copenhagen were tough to break down," Dewsbury-Hall told Chelsea's official website. "They were in a good solid shape – 5-4-1 – and it's hard to break that down.

"It was a bit frustrating in the first half, but we made a few adjustments in the second half, in terms of the positions of players, and I feel like you could see that with more chances and getting in better positions and spaces, and thankfully, we managed to get the win."

Dewsbury-Hall himself was the one to deliver the crucial breakthrough, demonstrating his determination and skill to capitalise on the opportunity that came his way. "I found a bit of space, tried to control the ball, and with some effort, managed to get the ball to bounce back into my path," he said. "I practice that finish after training almost every day, so it's gratifying that it worked out in a match for me!"

His crucial goal ensured Chelsea's European journey continues, with the midfielder eager to perform on the big stage. The Englishman is now confident that despite the challenging road ahead, the team has the potential to go all the way.

"Any player will tell you that playing in Europe, regardless of the competition, is the best feeling in the world. I'm always thankful when I get the chance to play, especially at Stamford Bridge," he said.

"I've been scoring a few goals here, which is great, and hopefully, it will continue. We respect all teams, but we are aware of the quality and mindset we possess in our squad. I believe Copenhagen will be one of the toughest challenges we face, and they gave us a hard game.

"We have three stages left to lift the trophy, and now we're just concentrating on the quarter-finals and taking it one game at a time, and then I'm confident we can go all the way."

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