A late Marcos Alonso header saw a lacklustre Chelsea edge past Slavia Prague 1-0 in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie.
The Spain full-back ghosted clear in the box to nod home Willian’s teasing far-post cross, to hand the Blues the slender advantage midway through their quarter-final.
Chelsea came very close drawing their last-eight first leg tie at the Sinobo Stadium, the Blues struggling for fluency throughout a niggly night in Prague.
3
A late Alonso header sealed a win for Chelsea in Prague
Replacement Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s smart spin and break turned Slavia’s defence at the death however, before Willian served up the perfect cross.
Alonso’s third goal of the season and second in the Europa League proved just enough for Chelsea then, but the Stamford Bridge men will hardly be happy with their performance.
Chelsea will now expect to complete the job and move through to the semi-finals when hosting Slavia in the return leg next Thursday.
The Blues were relieved to prevail on the pitch, in another night where racism hit the headlines.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
Chelsea’s security team identified and barred entry to the stadium for three supporters, who had taken part in a video on social media where Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah appeared to be racially abused.
Three other supporters in the video did not attempt to enter the Sinobo Stadium.
The best Chelsea could muster in a piecemeal first-half was Willian’s curled effort that struck the crossbar.
Slavia captain Simon Deli wasted a fine early chance by nodding wide. Then Vladimir Coufal failed to connect fully with a skewed header of his own.
getty
3
Willian was Chelsea’s standout player in the match
Miroslav Stoch stung Kepa’s palms, but his strike was never likely to beat the Chelsea stopper.
If Chelsea’s first-half was flat, the opening to the second was little short of tetchy.
The Blues’ glowering looks and gesticulations escalated amid increasingly raucous home support.
Lukas Masopust turned last man Andreas Christensen only to slip, letting Chelsea hugely off the hook.
3
Sarri’s men are now in a commanding position for the return leg at Stamford Bridge
Not even an hour had elapsed when Sarri threw on talisman Eden Hazard in place of Pedro, the Stamford Bridge boss itching for an injection of impetus.
Antonio Rudiger saw his low effort rebuffed by Ondrej Kolar, and then Willian dragged wide from a promising position.
Ibrahim-Benjamin Traore raced clear for Slavia, only to see his fine long-range effort tipped round the post by Kepa.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Southampton vs Wolves (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Manchester United vs West Ham (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Leeds vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Wigan vs Norwich (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Crystal Palace vs Manchester City (Sunday, 2:05pm) – talkSPORT
N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also sent into the fray as Chelsea chased a breakthrough.
Jorginho had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was chalked off with Olivier Giroud offside.
A poor punch by Kepa gifted an opening to Jan Boril, but the Chelsea keeper conjured a solid stop to deny the full-back, immediately sparing his own blushes.
Just when Chelsea looked like labouring to the draw however, the visitors conjured the move of the match even capped with a smart finish.
Loftus-Cheek powered through midfield on the turn, before spreading out right to Willian.
The Brazilian steadied himself and whipped in a far-post cross, that Alonso nodded into the corner of the net.
Gareth Bale future: 91 per cent of Real Madrid fans vote for Welshman to leave LaLiga giants Spanish newspaper AS conducted the poll which received almost five million votes and it's fair to say
Gareth Bale future: 91 per cent of Real Madrid fans vote for
League One final day: Luton beat Barnsley to title, Southend
Mourinho slams managers lauded for style over substance. Jose Mourinho during a past match but you have to sell the philosophy after you win. If you win nothing, what is the point?
What has happened to the 14 Manchester United players sold by
Manchester United predicted team vs Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first leg chat ahead of Man Utd vs Barcelona tie; Pique: compares Manchester United player with Lionel Messi
As it happened: Barcelona v Man United, Champions League
Everton rounded off their home campaign in style with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Burnley at Goodison Park. Needing a victory to stay in the hunt for a seventh and potential Europa League
Talk Sport | SportSpyder
Match : Arsenal VS Valencia Date : 02/05/2019 stream the on your fire straight from the web. technology has made the ease and access to media very easy and flawless on your channel.
Eden Hazard transfer: Real Madrid, Chelsea agree to $112 million fee with incentives, report says The Belgian superstar is on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu next season
Eden Hazard to Real Madrid: Assessing his Chelsea legacy
Rio Ferdinand believes it will not be long before teams walk off the pitch in response to racist abuse. During the international break, several England players were subjected to abuse from the stands in Montenegro.
Rio Ferdinand believes racist abuse will force teams to walk
Tottenham fans have been left fuming by Sky Sports' decision not to televise the opening game at their new stadium against Crystal Palace, with Manchester City's clash with Cardiff selected for TV coverage instead. After months of delays, Spurs have finally given the new ground the green light and will host Roy Hodgson's Eagles in…
Spurs' first game at new stadium against Palace not on TV
Transfer news live Transfer News LIVE: Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool gossip plus Paul Pogba latest The transfer season is already upon us with plenty of big names tipped to be on the move this
Manchester United news: Mike Phelan to be offered technical director job with Michael Carrick promoted to assistant manager Should Phelan accept the new job, it is understood Michael Carrick
Mike Phelan to be offered technical director job with Michael
Jonathan McCourt, Umbro's UK Marketing Manager, said: "We're really excited about Derby County's new home kit. With its 1990's graphical feel, and referencing the 1995/96 season shirt which the fans will know so well, we hope that the new strip will be one the supporters can identify with given its roots whilst also creating new and
New Derby County Away Kit 2015/2016- Purple DCFC Shirt 15/16
No comments:
Post a Comment