Tyrique George scored his first ­Chelsea goal as Enzo Maresca’s side eased past Legia Warsaw to take a commanding lead into the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final.

Next week’s return at Stamford Bridge should be little more than a formality and it would take an almighty collapse for Chelsea not to reach the last four from here, after three second-half goals helped purge the memory of another uninspiring first period.

The moment of the match came from the academy graduate George in the 49th minute, the 19-year-old winger reacting quickest inside the box after Reece James’ effort was saved, before the ­substitute Noni Madueke doubled the lead eight minutes later. Madueke hit his second 15 minutes from time, ­tapping in moments after ­Christopher Nkunku had had a penalty saved.

It took until the 34th minute for Chelsea to draw a significant save from the Legia goalkeeper, Kacper Tobiasz. After Cole Palmer’s attempted effort from the edge of the box was blocked, the ball broke for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who opened up his body and curled an effort towards a corner that was tipped away at full stretch by Tobiasz.

James summed up his side’s lack of attacking ideas when, struggling for options, he lashed badly high and wide from 30 yards, a snapshot of Chelsea’s first-half frustrations. Dewsbury-Hall had a final chance to send Chelsea into the break in the lead when he sent a free header wide with the last play of a half in which the visitors had enjoyed more than 70% possession but mustered only two efforts on target.

Noni Madueke scores his second and Chelsea’s third goal of the night. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Palmer, whose goal drought stretches back to January, was ­withdrawn at the break after another quiet display and was replaced by Madueke for his second substitute appearance since ­returning from injury.

The second half started just as the first had ended, with ­Dewsbury-Hall heading over the crossbar unmarked from a good position. A lesson in how to finish was not long in arriving.

James, who had ­broken the deadlock with a long-range pearler in a similarly dreary encounter at FC Copenhagen in the previous round, tried his luck again with a low drive from distance. ­Tobiasz got down to parry but pushed the ball into the path of George, who was fastest to react and kept his cool to roll the ball back across the goalkeeper and into the corner.

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Two goals from Ulrik Saltnes [pictured] spurred Bodø/Glimt to a 2-0 home victory over Serie A giants Lazio in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, with the one-sided encounter played out in freezing conditions.

Snow had blanked the artificial pitch overnight in northern Norway, and although it was cleared in time for kick-off, the Italians struggled to adapt to zero-degree conditions, spending much of the match on the defensive. Lazio registered just one shot on target as the hosts attacked time and time again.

Aiming to become the first Norwegian team ever to reach a European semi-final, Bodø/Glimt took the lead two minutes after half-time when Saltnes finished at close range following a precise pass from Ole Didrik Blomberg. The hosts made more opportunities and scored their second goal in the 69th minute.

Saltnes was played through and he lofted the ball over Christos Mandas. Although Alessio Romagnoli managed to clear his shot, the ball had already crossed the line. Saltnes came close to scoring a hat-trick in the final minutes but Mandas made a crucial save, and also denied Odin Bjortuft’s effort.

The return leg will be next Thursday at the Stadio Olimpico, and Lazio may be relieved to head home just two goals down after conceding 18 shots, six on target, to rampant opposition. Reuters

Photograph: Lise Åserud/NTB

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The goal brought Chelsea to life. After 55 minutes it was two, ­Tobiasz giving the ball away with a poor ­clearance and handing Jadon Sancho room to advance. The winger skipped in-field and picked out Madueke who had been left all alone inside the box and was unimpeded as he slotted home.

Nkunku’s penalty was then well saved by Tobiasz but it was a momentary reprieve, Madueke tapping in his ­second and Chelsea’s third from Sancho’s cross.

Legia might have travelled to ­London with a sliver of hope had Filip ­Jörgensen not produced a superb stop to deny Patryk Kun in the last minute.