On the day Chelsea officially became the youngest team in Premier League history with an average age of 24 years and 36 days, Enzo Maresca’s boys become men, securing Champions League football.
Chelsea held just 48% of the ball in the game, taking just six shots, but getting the all important goal in the 50th minute through Levi Colwill, giving them something to hold onto.
The first half was a cagey affair with Maresca setting his side up in a deeper block, looking to keep things tight at the back and analyse their options.
But the Blues came out strong in the first five minutes of the second half, getting their goal and allowing Maresca to make defensive changes to secure all three points and a Champions League spot.
Chelsea started in their usual 4-2-3-1 starting shape, going into a temporary 3-2-4-1 in possession and pressing in a 4-1-4-1 shape.
However, after scoring the goal, Maresca began to make changes, bringing Romeo Lavia on for Jadon Sancho in the 62nd minute, putting Palmer through the middle, Neto out wide and bulking up the middle of the pitch.
He then added Malo Gusto to the fray in the 78th minute, replacing Pedro Neto and changing into more of a back five, adding extra defensive solidity.
Lastly, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall replaced Noni Madueke in the 86th minute, getting a last ditch touch on a loose ball in the box, summing up the afternoon for Chelsea.
The fight and determination of the entire team was clear, no one representing that more than the goalscorer, Levi Colwill.
Colwill has been at Chelsea since the Under-9 age group, signing his first professional contract in 2020 and making his senior debut for the Blues in 2023.
The 22-year-old defender was the match winner today, but it wasn’t just his goal that secured the victory, it was his leadership and fight.
Colwill made six clearances in the match, winning all three of his aerial duels and completing 89% of his passes.
Alongside Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo won three of his four aerial duels, making 12 clearances and keeping Chris Wood quiet for most of the afternoon.
Celebrations at full-time showed how much this meant to the young group, overcoming adversity to deliver their season goal.
Qualifying for Champions League football could be the catalyst for Chelsea going forwards, helping them to secure their number one targets as they look to strengthen Maresca’s squad ahead of next campaign.
The Italian manager had a rough patch in the middle of the season, but has shown how good his side could be with a few key additions and patience.
Chelsea will now look ahead to their UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday night, where they will have the chance to secure their first trophy under the new ownership and keep spirits high going into the FIFA Club World Cup.