Graham Potter’s side book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory on aggregate thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz
Chelsea brought a halt to their goal-scoring troubles to beat Borussia Dortmund, ease the pressure on Graham Potter and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Blues came into the second leg with a 1-0 deficit. They did what they hadn’t done for 12 games in all competitions: score two goals. Raheem Sterling’s powerful opener and Kai Havertz penalty, scored on a retake after he missed the first effort, were enough to see off Dortmund and reach the next round.
Chelsea came out of the blocks quickly, with Havertz and Joao Felix both threatening before Havertz struck the inside of the post with a scuffed effort. Kalidou Koulibaly somehow conspired to send a side-footed volley away from goal before the breakthrough came.
Sterling miskicked Ben Chilwell’s cross but was fortunate to see the ball drop for him. He dribbled around Dortmund captain Marco Reus before blasting in a finish which made it 1-0 to Chelsea and levelled the tie at 1-1.
The Blues’ second goal came with plenty of controversy, if you’re of a Dortmund persuasion. Chilwell hit the ball into Marius Wolf’s hand from close range inside the box. After waving away the initial claims, referee Danny Makkelie was sent to the monitor by VAR and he changed his mind.
Havertz hit the post with his first effort, but Makkelie ordered a re-take after encroachment from the Dortmund defence. Havertz kept his cool and slotted into the same corner he’d aimed for before to make it 2-0.
Potter rung the changes and, although there were some nervy moments, Chelsea held on to progress. Here are the talking points from the game.
Dortmund arrived in London late after falling foul of some of the capital’s traffic. Yet they were full of confidence, thanks to a 10-game winning streak in all competitions.
Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 on the weekend and played well in Germany in the first leg. But were arguably there for the taking following a dreadful period of form which had seen the crowd turn on Potter.
We saw very little from Edin Terzic’s side, who were missing some key players though injury. Sebastian Haller was very quiet. Reus tested Kepa with a curling free-kick in the first half. Jude Bellingham sent a good chance wide from close range.
And that was about it, with Kepa keeping out a few efforts relatively easily. Their fans, who travelled in numbers and created a wonderful atmosphere, would have hoped for much better.
It has been a testing few months for Potter, who has been tasked with knitting together a huge group of players into a working team. He has struggled, with goals particularly hard to come by.
The Chelsea manager has movingly spoken about the abuse he’s received, about the threats his family have received. This win won’t magic that unacceptable abuse away. Instead, it will come as a huge relief to the former Brighton boss.
He got the big decisions right on the night. Given the captain’s armband, Mateo Kovacic was exceptional in the middle of the pitch. The wing-backs were threatening. On the other hand, Marc Cucurella performed well on the left side of the back three. They all contributed to the win Potter needed.