Updated: Oct 3, 2024, 06:17 pm

Chelsea made a winning debut in the third-tier Conference League as Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all scored in a 4-2 win over Belgium's KAA Gent at Stamford Bridge.

After Neto and Veiga had scored early in each half, Tsuyoshi Watanabe briefly threatened a comeback for the visitors when pulling a goal back in the 50th minute.

But Nkunku's seventh goal of the season and a first Chelsea goal for Dewsbury-Hall ensured a comfortable win for Enzo Marsca's side despite a late consolation effort from Omri Gandelman.

Elsewhere in the Conference League on Thursday, Fiorentina, who reached the final in the last two seasons, beat Welsh side New Saints 2-0.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.