Chelsea edge out Copenhagen to take control of last-16 tie

Chelsea secured a 2-1 away win over Copenhagen in their UEFA Conference League last-16 first leg, taking control of the tie.

After a goalless first half, captain Reece James fired Chelsea ahead with a stunning long-range strike just after the restart. Copenhagen nearly equalized, but Viktor Claesson's effort hit the post.

Chelsea doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Enzo Fernandez converted Tyrique George's cut-back after good work from Marc Cucurella.

However, Gabriel Pereira pulled one back for Copenhagen with a powerful header from a Marcos Lopez free-kick.

Despite the late goal, Chelsea remain favorites to progress when they host the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 13. The winner will face either Molde or Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals.