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.
Clockwatch + Manchester United | The Guardian they were going home and there is certainly excitement among their number at the prospect of returning to the rebuilt White Hart Lane next season
92 Webzine 2012-13 by Richard Laverty - Issuu
Neymar punches fan! Neymar filmed lashing out at fan and Kylian Mbappe is sent off as Paris Saint-Germain lose French Cup final Brazil ace is in hot water after incident was filmed after their
Former West Ham defender Scott Minto says he knows Real Madrid have been in contact with Declan Rice's family. The midfielder has established himself as a key figure for club and country this
The Latest Declan Rice News | SportSpyder
Arsenal prepped for Man City as Unai Emery hints Danny Welbeck could play left-back Ox hoping to feature in Champions League final after injury nightmare Arsenal need return to the
From Mustafi to Aubameyang - every Arsenal player contract
Matthijs de Ligt urged to join Liverpool in summer transfer - by Ajax coach. Matthijs de Ligt, the 19-year-old centre-back, is one of Europe's hottest properties after a superb season as Ajax's
Virgil van Dijk teases Liverpool fans with Matthijs de Ligt
Celtic have launched a full investigation into last night's incident involving a pyrotechnic at the Simple Digital Arena, with Peter Lawwell promising the 'strongest possible' action against those involved. As we told you at the time, St Mirren goalkeeper Václav Hladký was left holding his
Video: St Mirren goalkeeper left in state of shock after
Home » News » Transfers » Atletico Madrid identify Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette as no.1 target to replace Antoine Griezmann - AS Share with Facebook Tweet on Twitter Send Email Copy to
Transfer News: The latest on Lacazette to Atletico Madrid
How Man Utd could line up with Daniel James next season as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plots move | Football | Sport
Alexander-Arnold withdraws from England squad with injury
Man United join race to sign Lille forward Nicolas Pepe . The 23-year-old is also said to be a target for Liverpool, while he has reportedly caught the eye of the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal
Report: Manchester United join Liverpool to sign Nicolas Pepe
Liverpool fan makes ABSURD trophy demand after Man City close in on Premier League title ONE Liverpool fan believes his side deserve a trophy even if they finish behind Manchester City in the
Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher mocks Liverpool over title
Dejan Lovren celebrated Liverpool's sixth Champions League title in bizarre fashion by cutting out a section of the net with scissors. The defender was an unused substitute in Madrid but decided
Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'targeting' Atletico Madrid
Chelsea remain in a commanding position to finish in the Premier League top four after drawing 1-1 at Manchester United on Sunday. A David de Gea mistake gifted the Blues an equaliser late in the first half following Juan Mata's goal against his old club in the 11th minute.
David de Gea is to blame but got what he deserved from
Saturday, 16 September 2017 City have 13 points from five games - three more than rivals Manchester United who play Everton on Sunday. Sergio Aguero bagged a hat-trick as free-scoring Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League with an irresistible 6-0 victory over Watford on Saturday.
The Latest Graham Dorrans News | SportSpyder
No comments:
Post a Comment