LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea dominated Dynamo Kiev to take control of their Europa League last-16 tie as goals from Pedro Rodriguez, Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi earned the hosts a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Thursday (March 7).
The Londoners may well need to win the competition to ensure a return to the Champions League next season as they sit sixth in the Premier League, and justified their tag as tournament favourites against the Ukrainians.
Pedro turned home an intricate backheel from Olivier Giroud to open the scoring on 17 minutes and only some wayward finishing and fine goalkeeping from Denys Boyko kept Kiev in the game before the break.
However, Willian's sweet free-kick and substitute Hudson-Odoi's late third gave the scoreline a fairer reflection of the 90 minutes.
A third straight victory maintains Chelsea's momentum and a much-needed turnaround from Maurizio Sarri, who seemed on the verge of the sack just a few weeks ago.
The Italian left Eden Hazard, N'Golo Kante and Gonzalo Higuain on the bench among six changes, but Chelsea still had far too much quality for the visitors to handle early on.
Pedro took his first clear chance by prodding through Boyko's legs, however the Spaniard should have had plenty more to show for his night's performance.
The former Barcelona winger side-footed a gilt-edged chance straight into Boyko's arms moments later before the Kiev 'keeper flew to his right to deny Pedro once more after he was picked out perfectly by a raking David Luiz pass.
Mykyta Burda then deflected Marcos Alonso's goalbound strike inches wide as Chelsea somehow had to settle for a single-goal lead at half-time.
Sarri's side finally had the breathing space they craved 25 minutes from time when Willian curled a wonderful free-kick into the top corner.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek should have killed the tie off completely when the England international blazed over from point-blank range eight minutes from time.
Kiev had barely threatened until the final five minutes and Brazilian Sidcley missed their best chance for an away goal by miscuing a header at the near post.
But just when the visitors thought they might find a route back into the tie, Chelsea hit them on the counter-attack when Loftus-Cheek teed up Hudson-Odoi for a third that should see the 2013 winners of this competition comfortably through.
Soccer: Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1
Apr 03, 2019 · Jรผrgen Klopp believes Mohamed Salah has adapted brilliantly to the extra attention he has attracted this season and is unconcerned by the longest goalscoring drought of the striker's Liverpool
Official Liverpool FC Store | Liverpool FC Ball
AD
store.liverpoolfc.com/ball
Report Ad
Browse Our Wide Range Of Exclusive Liverpool FC Souvenirs. Shop Online Now.
LONDON • Tottenham's first Premier League match in their new 62,000-capacity stadium will be against Crystal Palace on April 3. In an official statement on Sunday, Spurs also confirmed that the new stadium will host its first European game when Manchester City visit north London six days later for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
TOTTENHAM AND PALACE FANS REACT: Spurs to Host The Eagles in
Sport24 - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. But the Portuguese, who has been Iran coach for eight rollercoaster years, insisted that he remains committed to bringing
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to referee Kevin Friend after the game at West Ham. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been fined £45,000 after accepting a Football Association charge for
Liverpool's Klopp fined over referee comments - punchng.com
Read ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฏ๐ข. A QUEEN IN THE MAKING from the story ๐ฐ๐ด๐จ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฌ. ๐ฎ๐ข๐ณ๐ท๐ฆ๐ญ. by NASASTAN (๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Queen in the Making : 30 Week Bible Study for Teen Girls
Kaya v Lao Toyota - MATCH DETAILS: Location : Upcoming Information:AFC Cup 30.04.2019
Football: Guardiola tips City as comeback 'heroes'
Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the initiative. Liverpool's destiny is no longer in their own hands after a goalless draw in Sunday's Merseyside derby allowed Pep Guardiola's City to regain top spot with a one
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp
Apr 17, 2019 · Edwin van der Sar is the ideal architect for Manchester United's rebuilding project with United facing a huge rebuilding job and one of their most important summers for years,
Solskjaer to begin much-needed rebuilding job at United | FOX
Real Madrid have secured the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic for 60 million euros. Of that amount, 48 million euros will go to the Bundesliga club with the remaining 12 million
Real Madrid sign Jovic for 60 million euros - report
Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct by the English Football Association following his touchline dismissal in the 2-2 draw against Burnley on Easter Monday. Sarri was
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged by FA after Burnley
Griezmann smashed home from the spot 10 minutes after the break to give Diego Simeone's side three points. They stay second but move alongside Barca on 34 points. Atletico Madrid moved level on
Griezmann Fires Atletico Level With Barcelona - UrduPoint
Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Sassuolo forward Kevin-Prince Boateng on a six-month loan deal with an €8 million Barcelona set to complete shock Boateng loan move. Trending News.
Football: London-born ex-Arsenal reserve Nico Yennaris makes China debut in 2-0 win over Philippines Nico Yennaris, also known as Li Ke in China, made his Chinese national debut in a 2-0 win over
London-born Yennaris makes China debut in Philippine win
"He's got ambition and talent. It's hard to find a player with talent that still works so hard but that's Kang-in. Those of us that know him have no doubt that he'll go all the way." -Miguel Grau (Valencia Mestalla coach) Already rated at €80 million (A$124m) by LaLiga side Valencia, 17-year-old South Korean Lee […]
LaLiga: Valencia's Korean starlet Lee Kang-in set for senior
0 comments:
Post a Comment