FCK lose to Chelsea as Gabriel goal keeps tie alive

Gabriel Pereira's header 10 minutes from time means F.C. Copenhagen's UEFA Conference League last-16 encounter is still in the balance heading into the second leg, despite the Lions losing 2-1 in Parken on Thursday.

After a tight first half, Reece James opened the scoring for Chelsea just after the break. Viktor Claesson hit the post minutes later as FCK looked to respond but fell two behind when Enzo Fernandez scrambled home.

Copenhagen dominated the latter stages as they sought to halve the deficit, which came through Pereira's well-placed header from Marcos Lopez's free kick.

And while the Lions couldn't level the scores on the night in front of 35,859 fans, the result keeps the tie in the balance heading into next week's reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge.

Starting XI: Ramaj – Gabriel, Diks, Hatzidiakos - Gocholeishvili, Clem, Froholdt, Meling – Claesson, Chiakha, Achouri