With a 4-2 victory over Gent in Belgium, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea opened their UEFA Conference League season with goals from Renato Veiga and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, both of whom scored their first goals for the club. Pedro Neto extended the lead just after the half, after Veiga had started the scoring with a neat finish. Not long after, Christopher Nkunku made it three, and then the outstanding Dewsbury-Hall began his narrative.

In their UEFA Conference League opener, Chelsea defeated KAA Gent 4-2, with goals from Renato Veiga and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall marking their team debuts.From the first whistle, Chelsea applied constant pressure to Gent and, just 12 minutes in, Veiga scored his first goal for the team with a header.Two minutes into the second half, Pedro Neto doubled Chelsea’s lead with an incredible volley.

After some careless Chelsea defending, Gent responded on the fifty-minute mark when Tsuyoshi Watanabe rose highest and headed his attempt past Filip Jorgensen.Christopher Nkunku gave Chelsea a two-goal lead less than fifteen minutes later when he put a shot past Gent goalkeeper Davy Roef.Twenty minutes from time, Dewsbury-Hall scored Chelsea’s fourth and last goal of the game by pounced on a loose ball and slipped an attempt beneath Roef.But instead of giving up, Gent found another consolation goal in stoppage time, this time from replacement Omri Gandelman, who scored his debut goal.

Chelsea entered this game riding a four-game winning streak in all competitions. For the guys who haven’t played much this season, this was their chance to show what they can do and possibly stake their claim for a future in the squad. The fact that players like Dewsbury-Hall, Neto, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk can all enter the game and help Chelsea win is evidence of their depth in a championship in which they are heavy favorites. Chelsea has now won five straight games. This victory should boost confidence going into a challenging stretch of games in all competitions, which includes trips to Anfield, Newcastle United, and Manchester United at Old Trafford. Chelsea’s supporting cast will be hoping to take the field in these games.

Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was named Player of the Match.Dewsbury-Hall proved his mettle in midfield tonight with an outstanding display for the Blues. With his aggressive and constructive play, he helped Chelsea go up the pitch, completing 62 of his 68 passes. He completed all three of his dribbles, won six of his eight duels, and finished off a strong display with his first goal for the team since signing from Leicester City.

Scores for PlayersDewsbury-Hall 9; Neto 8; Felix 7; Mudryk 7; Nkunku 7; Chelsea: Jorgensen 6, Disasi 6, Tosin 6, Badiashile 6, Veiga 7, Casadei 7. Subs: George 6, Guiu 6.Gent: Delorge 6, Brown 7, Surdez 6, Gudjohnsen 7, Watanabe 6, Mitrovic 6, Gambor 6, Ito 6, Delorge 6, Brown 7. Subs: Kums 6, Samoise, Araujo 6, Dean 7, Gandelman 7, and Match Highlights for N/A12′ GOAL! GENT 1-0 CHELSEA (VEIGA) – It has been anticipated! After just 12 minutes, Chelsea’s relentless pressure has paid off, as Renato Veiga scores his first goal for the team. When Mudryk crosses the ball to the back post, Veiga is there to head it into the lower corner.46′ GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 GENT (NETO): Just a few minutes into the second half, Chelsea has already scored! Pedro Neto receives a bounced ball in front of him and volleys it home.50′ GOAL! GENT 2-1 CHELSEA (WATANABE) – The Belgian team has made a comeback! It’s currently 2-1 just a few minutes after Neto gave Chelsea a 2-0 lead. Watanabe heads home into the far corner as Chelsea fails to clear their lines as the ball is floated in from the right side.63′ SCOOP! CHELSEA 3-1 GENT (NKUNKU): Chelsea wins 3-1 thanks to Christopher Nkunku! Just outside the area, the ball drops to the Chelsea attacker, who puts it in the back of the net. When Gent goalie Roef sees the goal back, he will not be pleased with his effort.70′ GOAL! CHELSEA 4-1 GENT (DEWSBURY-HALL) – Dewsbury-Hall scores the game’s final goal when he seizes a stray ball and slides a shot past the goalkeeper to make it 4-1!90′ GOAL! Max Dean locates Gandelman in the box, and he sneaks past Jorgensen to score CHELSEA 4-2 GENT (GANDELMAN).