After a first half in which the Blues had struggled to threaten, we went ahead inside the opening minute of the second period. James, wearing the captain's armband, was our goalscorer as he fired a low shot home from 25 yards.

Fernandez, introduced at half time, doubled our lead with a well-taken finish after being teed up by Tyrique George,. But Copenhagen reduced the deficit when Gabriel Pereira powerfully headed home with ten minutes to play.

The home side pushed hard for a leveller in the time that remained, but the Blues defended well and we have an advantage heading into next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

A rotated side

Enzo Maresca made seven changes to his starting XI. Robert Sanchez started in goal, Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile returned to the Blues defence after injury, James came into the midfield, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and George were named in the attack, and there was a full debut for 17-year-old Shim Mhueka at the point of our frontline.

Roared on by a vociferous home support – who deafeningly whistled every spell of Chelsea possession – Copenhagen started well and launched an early attack. It resulted in the first save of the night for Sanchez, who got down to smother a low attempt from Elias Achouri.

The Blues slowly wrestled control of the game as Copenhagen dropped into their defensive third. Chances were few and far between but Palmer, featuring in his first Conference League fixture since our qualifiers against Servette, did guide an instinctive 20-yard volley narrowly wide.

We were forced into a change midway through the opening 45 minutes. Having sustained an earlier knock, Malo Gusto went down having blocked a cross and was forced off. He was replaced by Marc Cucurella, who replaced the Frenchman at left-back.

Copenhagen grew in confidence as the half progressed and began to carry a greater purpose when they pushed forward. However, the Blues' backline defended well, and barring one effort – which was subsequently ruled out for offside – Sanchez's goal was untroubled.

Two minutes were added to the half – and the Blues fashioned a late opportunity. The ball was worked to Cucurella down the left, he knocked it back to James who delivered a cross to the back post. George was able to connect but couldn't guide his header wide.

Changes made

Maresca made further alterations to his side at the half-time interval: Badiashile was replaced by Levi Colwill; Enzo Fernandez was introduced for Moises Caicedo; Christopher Nkunku was brought on for Mhueka. And less than 60 seconds after the restart, we went ahead.

The move began with Nkunku down the left, who held off pressure from Kevin Diks. That enabled Cucurella to wriggle in, collect the ball, advance, and knock it infield. James strode onto the pass and fizzed a 25-yard effort beyond goalkeeper Diant Ramaj and into the corner.

We had the lead, but it was almost instantly wiped out when Viktor Claesson found space inside the Chelsea 18-yard box and steered an effort beyond Sanchez from a tight angle. Fortunately for the Blues, it rebounded off the post and into the goalkeeper's arms.

It was a warning shot heeded by the Blues – and we almost forced a second when an attempted clearance rebounded off Cucurella and trickled narrowly past the post.

Palmer then came close to getting his name on the scoresheet. He collected possession 25 yards from goal and fired an attempt toward the far corner. Ramaj was beaten but the ball drifted just wide.

Doubling our lead

Yet our second goal did soon arrive. We pressed high as Copenhagen tried to build possession down the right, which enabled Nkunku to reclaim the ball and feed George inside the penalty area. The Academy graduate showed good composure to pick out the onrushing Fernandez, who guided his finish into the far corner.

With a two-goal lead established, Maresca made his fourth substitution of the evening. Palmer was brought off with just under 20 minutes to play and Jadon Sancho entered the contest.

The challenge for the Blues was to see out the game without incident. Unfortunately, with ten minutes to play, Copenhagen pulled a goal back. A free-kick was swung into the penalty area by Robert and Gabriel Pereira was unmarked to power a header beyond Sanchez.

With momentum now in their favour, the home side applied pressure on the Blues goal. Set-pieces were delivered and corners were swung in, but we defended well and Sanchez was not called upon to make a save of note.

Our victory was secured.

What it means?

We take a lead into next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge, which takes place on Thursday 13 March.

What comes next?

The Blues are back in Premier League action on Sunday as we take on Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is at 2pm.

The teams

Copenhagen: Ramaj; Diks (Garananga 79), Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Meling (Lopez 70); Gocholeishvili (Huescas 70), Clem, Froholdt, Achouri (Robert 64); Claesson (Mattsson 64); Chiakha
Copenhagen substitutes: Trott, Runarsson, Falk, Nemeth
Booked: Diks 77
Scorers: Gabriel Pereira 80

Chelsea: Sanchez; Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile (Colwill HT), Gusto (Cucurella 24); Caicedo (Fernandez HT), James (c); George, Palmer (Sancho 70), Dewsbury-Hall; Mheuka (Nkunku HT)
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Bergstrom, Acheampong, Amougou, Neto
Scorers: James 46, Fernandez 65

Attendance: 35,959