toptop
Pedro
scored twice for Chelsea as they beat Slavia Prague 4-3 (5-3 aggregate) in a
thrilling game to progress to the Europa League semi-finals.
The Spaniard gave Chelsea an early lead (5) before Simon Deli's unfortunate own
goal extended the hosts' advantage (9).
Olivier Giroud scored Chelsea's third on the night - and his tenth in the
competition this season - with a simple tap-in (17) before Pedro added a fourth
(27) - 63 seconds after Slavia captain Tomas Soucek pulled a goal back (26).
But Slavia did respond in the second half as two quickfire goals from Petr
Sevcik (51 and 54) gave the Czech visitors hope of a comeback. But in the end,
Chelsea progress through to the semi-finals and will now play Frankfurt over two
legs on May 2/9.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga (6), Azpilicueta (6), Luiz (6),
Christensen (6), Emerson (6), Kante (6), Barkley (6), Kovacic (6), Hazard (6),
Pedro (8), Giroud (7)
Subs: Willian (6), Jorginho (6), Hudson-Odoi (N/A)
Slavia Prague: Kolar (6), Ngadeu-Ngadjiu (6), Kudela (5), Boril
(6), Deli (5), Zmrhal (6), Soucek (7), Sevcik (8), Traore (6), Kral (6),
Masopust (6)
Subs: Olayinka (6), Stoch (5), Skoda (N/A)
Man of the match: Pedro
Chelsea quickly extended their aggregate lead to 2-0 five minutes into the game
through Pedro, who dinked the ball over goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar at the near post
following some slick build-up play.
Five minutes later and Chelsea's evening was made more comfortable when Eden
Hazard's squared pass reached Pedro at the far post, but his shot came off the
woodwork before ricocheting in off Deli's head. The hosts made it three on the
night seven minutes later as Giroud converted with a simple tap-in.
Team news
Maurizio Sarri made five changes to his team that lost 2-0 to Liverpool on
Sunday.
Andreas Christensen, Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic, Pedro and Olivier Giroud came
into the Chelsea XI.
Slavia Prague pulled one back through club captain Soucek from a corner, but
only 63 seconds later and Chelsea made it four - and 5-1 on aggregate - thanks
to Pedro. He scuffed in a rebound at the far post after Giroud's near-post shot
was initially parried by Kolar.
Slavia came out of the traps quickly in the second half and scored their second
of the night through Sevcik, who smashed in from outside the box against a
Chelsea side who were looking complacent.
Three minutes later and the 24-year-old scored again with another fantastic
strike into the top corner from distance, which Kepa Arrizabalaga was unable to
reach, meaning Slavia needed just two more goals to progress.
Slavia's biggest chance to grab another goal came in the 63rd minute when Sevcik
was waiting at the far post to convert for a hat-trick, but he slipped as he
went for the shot.
With Slavia tiring, Chelsea held on to their two-goal advantage and their
European attention can now turn to the semi-finals against Eintracht Frankfurt
with the first leg on Thursday, May 2 in Germany.
Opta stats
Chelsea are the first English side to win 11 major European games in a single
season.
Slavia Prague are winless in their last nine European meetings with English
clubs (W0 D2 L7) since winning 2-1 at home to Leeds in March 2000 in the UEFA
Cup.
Slavia Prague are one of just four sides to score 3+ goals against Chelsea at
Stamford Bridge in European competition and the first to do so in the Europa
League.
Chelsea have benefited from five own-goals in all competitions this season, of
Premier League clubs, only Manchester City (7) and Arsenal (6) have benefited
from more.
Chelsea are the second Premier League side to reach 100 goals in all
competitions this season after Manchester City.
Pedro has been directly involved in three goals in a European match for the
first time in his career (2 goals, 1 assist).
Chelsea's Olivier Giroud has been directly involved in 13 goals in his last nine
Europa League appearances, scoring 10 and assisting three.
Olivier Giroud is the first Chelsea player to score 10 goals in a single season
in European football.
Man of the Match - Pedro
The Spain international scored twice and set up Olivier Giroud's goal to
complete a fine performance after being recalled to the line-up.
What's next?
Chelsea host Burnley on Monday Night Football which is live on Sky Sports
Premier League, kick-off at 8pm.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Kepa, Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Luiz, Emerson,
Kante, Kovacic, Barkley (Jorginho 70), Pedro (Hudson-Odoi 87), Hazard (Willian
65), Giroud
Subs Not Used Caballero, Zappacosta, Cahill, Higuain
Booked Kante, Emerson, Kepa, Luiz
Goals Pedro 5, 27, Deli 9 (og), Giroud 17
Slavia Prague Kolar, Kudela, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Deli, Boril, Kral,
Soucek (c), Sevcik (Stoch 78), Traore, Zmrhal (Skoda , Masopust (Olayinka 52)
Subs Not Used Zeleny, Van Buren, Frydrych, Kovar
Booked Soucek, Kudela
Goals Soucek 26, Sevcik 51, 54,
Attendance 38,326
Referee Damir Skomina (Slovenia)