Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz propel Chelsea into Champions League quarter-finals

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 March 2023, 22:07
Graham Potter claimed the biggest win of his Chelsea career so far as the Blues overcame Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Following a 10-minute delay to kickoff due to the Dortmund team bus being held up, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz struck either side of the break to erase BVB's 1-0 lead from the first leg and ease some of the pressure on Potter's shoulders.

Already being forced to cope without first leg match-winner Karim Adeyemi while number one goalkeeper Gregor Kobel warmed the bench, Dortmund's injury list welcomed its newest member just five minutes in, as Julian Brandt pulled up with a hamstring problem and had to be replaced by Giovanni Reyna.

Despite that early setback, Dortmund soon began to dictate the tempo as the first half progressed, dominating possession and testing Kepa Arrizabalaga with a well-struck free kick from Marco Reus in the 17th minute, which the Spaniard got a strong hand to.

Chances soon began to fall the hosts' way, but in a tale as old as time, their luck was just not in, as Havertz's half-volley in the 28th minute struck the inside of the post before trickling across the line and somehow staying out.

The woodwork would then come to the aid of the German in the 38th minute as he fired home what Blues fans briefly believed to have been the opening goal, but the linesman's flag belatedly went up against Sterling from earlier in the move.

Joao Felix also saw a close-range effort kept out by Alexander Meyer in the 40th minute in a familiar sight for the restless Blues faithful, whose groans were audible when Sterling miskicked horribly from Ben Chilwell's cross three minutes later.

However, that unintentional mistake handed Sterling a second bite at the cherry, and the Englishman composed himself to fire home into the roof of the net at the second attempt to level the tie on aggregate.

The architect of the first goal, Chilwell - who was thoroughly enjoying himself on the Stamford Bridge turf - won his side a penalty four minutes into the second half when his cross hit the outstretched hand of Marius Wolf, and a spot kick was awarded following an on-field review.

Havertz's profligate streak was seemingly set to continue as he struck the post before Salih Ozcan cleared, but the Turkey international was one of a few Dortmund players to have encroached, and a retake was subsequently awarded.

Taking an identical stuttering run-up, Havertz went for the same corner and made no mistake on his second attempt, putting Chelsea 2-1 up on aggregate before the Dortmund onslaught began.

Jude Bellingham spurned a magnificent chance to claw Dortmund level on aggregate in the 58th minute - sidefooting wide from close range following a lucky break of the ball - but it was Chelsea who had the ball in the back of the net in the 76th minute through Conor Gallagher, although Sterling had gone too early again.

Chelsea comfortably survived six minutes of injury time to seal their spot in the last eight, and next up for a revitalised Blues side is a trip to Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Dortmund resume their Bundesliga title fight away to Schalke on Saturday evening.

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Denis Suarez wasn't the player Arsenal fans wanted to sign - but he's the footballer supporters have a hard time in forgetting. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be aiming to avoid four straight defeats across all competitions when they welcome Everton to the Etihad in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After spending Christmas Day in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur endeavour to atone for recent failings when they travel to Nottingham Forest for a Boxing Day battle. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After celebrating Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table, Liverpool get back to business on Boxing Day, when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hatayspor vs. Adana Demirspor (Monday, 5.00pm) The battle of the bottom feeders in the Turkish Super Lig unfolds on Monday as Hatayspor host Adana Demirspor at the Mersin Stadyumu. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica vs. Estoril (Monday, 6.45pm) Separated by 10 places in the Primeira Liga table before gameweek 15, second-placed Benfica are clear favourites to outdo Estoril Praia at Estadio da Luz on Monday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fiorentina vs. Udinese (Monday, 5.30pm) After their incredible success streak was finally brought to an end last week, Fiorentina will aim to start another winning run on Monday, when they meet Udinese. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Yemen and Saudi Arabia will celebrate Christmas Day by facing each other on matchday two of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Wednesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk First place in Group B of the Arabian Gulf Cup will be at stake on Wednesday as Bahrain and Iraq celebrate Christmas Day at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United transfer target Randal Kolo Muani is very likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window, according to reports. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly set their sights on West Ham United attacker Mohammed Kudus, with Pep Guardiola keen to strengthen his struggling squad. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Arsenal for the signature of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic in the summer of 2025. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final Premier League gameweek before Christmas appropriately served up some crackers, including a festive feast of goals in North London, where Liverpool ran riot in an exhilarating 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Even when the pulse settled a little after this compellingspectacle it was still difficult to know quite where to start todissect this nine-goal thriller. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Ange Postecoglou cut an irritated figure as he claimed he's going to stop answering questions about Tottenham's tactics. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have supposedly expressed an interest in signing Borussia Dortmund attacker Julian Brandt next month. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's Mohamed Salah refused to give anything away when asked whether he could break Ian Rush's all-time goalscoring record after the Reds' remarkable 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's astonishing 6-3 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening saw a multitude of records and achievements surpassed, as the Reds moved four points clear at the top of the table. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Ahli have reportedly emerged as the favourites to sign Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United attacker widely expected to be on the move during the January transfer window. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Everton have become surprise leaders in one statistic across Europe thanks to their draw at home to Chelsea. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will spend Christmas Day four points clear at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a breathtaking 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur in North London. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Kylian Mbappe struck a landmark effort to put himself firmly among Real Madrid's elite. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has insisted that he is "absolutely happy" with his side's goalless draw at Everton on Sunday. 22 December 2024 talksport.com If you thought Mohamed Salah couldn't set yet another record, think again. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk For a second time in successive Gulf Cup competitions, The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait will meet in the group stage, with this upcoming game taking place on Tuesday at Jaber Al-Amad International Stadium in Kuwait City.