Real Betis v Chelsea recap: Palmer magic inspires incredible comeback as Blues complete UEFA set

Cole Palmer inspired an incredible second-half comeback as Chelsea recovered from a goal down to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final and become the first side in history to win all three of Europe’s major continental trophies.

Betis, in their first European final, dominated the early exchanges and took a deserved lead in the ninth minute when Abde Ezzalzouli fired past Filip Jorgensen after some Isco magic.

Spanish teams had won the previous 27 men's European and international finals and that trend looked set to continue, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side were punished for not pressing home their advantage.

After surviving for the loss of just a single goal, Chelsea flew out the gates after the break. Captain Reece James coming on for the second half made a difference, but it is Palmer who deserves the plaudits for what transpired in Poland.

The Englishman delivered an exquisite ball onto the head of Enzo Fernandez to ignite the turnaround of all turnarounds and produced another sublime assist set up Nicolas Jackson five minutes later as Chelsea started to run riot.

Jackson wasted a gilt-edged chance to bag a brace but it would prove inconsequential.

Jadon Sancho curled in a beauty from a tight angle in the 83rd minute to put the game beyond doubt before Moises Caicedo found the net in injury time to put the gloss on a brilliant night for The Blues.

Breathe it in, Chelsea fans.

Can Chelsea make an impact in next season's UEFA Champions League? It might be a stretch but they've shown great resilience to finish this campaign with a trophy.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Reece James said: "It's a great feeling. We knew the game was gonna be tough, but as the game went on we grew into it and thankfully scored four goals in the second half.

"I thought in the first half we were really flat. We needed a reaction in the second half and we got it.

"It was something we had to win, and next season we go again in the Champions League."

TNT Sports expert Joe Cole on Cole Palmer's display tonight: "Absolute genius, we don't produce these players... they don't fall off trees. He took the game by the scruff of the neck tonight and made it happen.

"There ain't many players in world football who can do what he does and it's a privilege to have him at our club

"For this young team to win a trophy, it's going to take them to the next level. Don't be looking down your noses at this. If you're here in the stadium, hearing this atmosphere, seeing the faces of the people involved, this is what you play football for - for nights like this. And they've thoroughly deserved it."

After dominating the opening period in their first European final, Betis players and fans are understandably distraught at the end result. They’ve been immense in this competition but the final just proved a bridge too far.

In contrast, the Chelsea contingent are lapping up the celebrations.

Chelsea complete the UEFA set in incredible fashion. After trailing 1-0 at the break, two bits of magic from Cole Palmer turned the game in The Blues’ favour.

Enzo Fernandez got the equaliser before Nicolas Jackson edged the Premier League side ahead and more was to come.

Jadon Sancho curled in a beauty to make it three before Moises Caicedo scored in injury time to complete an unbelievable second-half turnaround.

Perraud is shown a yellow card for firing the ball into Chalobah after the whistle was blown.

It is well and truly over now. My goodness, this has been a comeback.

Chelsea break again. Enzo has it on the left and finds Caicedo in the middle, the midfielder firing past Adrian from the edge of the box to put the gloss on a brilliant victory.

Antony, who has been almost completely anonymous tonight, is shown a yellow card. The Brazilian attempts to help Enzo up before the pair exchange some fiery words.

The match-winner makes way for Marc Guiu after inspiring this incredible comeback.

After having a penalty appeal waved away, Antony gets on the ball and tries to make something happen. The Brazilian fires a shot on the Chelsea goal but it lacks the power to trouble Jorgensen.

Wow, wow, wow! Chelsea are rampant and Betis are stunned. Dewsbury-Hall makes a great run and bundles the ball to Sancho on the left. The winger sizes up Sabaly, cuts onto his right foot and unleashes a corker into the far corner.

Game, set and match, surely!

The striker is down with some sort of niggle and is replaced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

While there's a brief break, here's Enzo's equaliser.

Jackson is clean through. It’s akin to that famous Torres breakaway goal. But the striker takes two giant touches, the second of which is gratefully gathered by Adrian.

What a waste with a chance to almost put the game to bed!

Lucy Ward on commentary for TNT Sports: "It's just turned into the Cole Palmer show hasn't it - two assists and an absolute wand of a left foot.

"That boy can unlock anything and he just needs that little bit of space. Real Betis have just dropped off in intensity and given him that space and you do not give Cole Palmer that space."

Absolute scenes in Poland. Palmer has taken this game by the scruff of the neck. He turns the Betis defender inside and out before delivering another perfect ball, which hits Jackson’s shoulder and flies past Adrian.

What a turnaround!

All the momentum is now with Chelsea, who continue to plough forward. Madueke breaks and feeds Palmer on the right, but the Englishman can’t find space to shoot.

Moments later, Palmer’s curling first-time effort is on target but Adrian saves.

It’s all happening.

Chelsea are level. After struggling to find that moment of magic, it’s Palmer who works some space and delivers an exquisite ball into the box.

Enzo drifts between the centre-backs and gets on the end of it to guide a header past Adrian.

Game on!

It's a double change for Chelsea. Sancho comes on for Neto and Levi Colwill replace Badiashile.