Chelsea have earned a place in the Europa League semi-finals courtesy of a 4-3 victory over Slavia Prague on Thursday night.
The Blues held a 1-0 lead after the first leg in the Czech Republic, and that quickly progressed to 5-1 on aggregate as Maurizio Sarri's side outclassed their opponents during the opening 45 minutes.
Slavia threatened a comeback during the early stages of the second half, but Chelsea survived to set up a last-four showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in West London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Europa League between Chelsea and Slavia Prague. The Blues hold a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg of this quarter-final tie, but Slavia will take encouragement from their performance in the Czech Republic. The two teams are making their way out at Stamford Bridge, so let's see who features in each starting lineup...
CHELSEA XI: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Palmieri; Kante, Kovacic, Barkley; Pedro, Giroud, Hazard
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Zappacosta, Cahill, Jorginho, Willian, Hudson-Odoi, Higuain
SLAVIA PRAGUE XI: Kolar; Kudela, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Deli, Boril; Kral, Soucek; Sevcik, Traore, Zmrhal; Masopust
SLAVIA PRAGUE SUBSTITUTES: Olayinka, Zeleny, Van Buren, Stoch, Skoda, Frydrych, Kovar
KICKOFF: Slavia get us underway!
Chelsea have started brightly, but there is some concern over the fitness of Hazard. The winger has taken two whacks from Slavia players during the opening stages, and he has twice required treatment.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE (PEDRO)
GOAL! Chelsea take the lead! It's a wonderful goal as well. A slick passing move ends with Giroud threading a pass into the path of Pedro, and the Spaniard was able to dink the ball over Kolar and into the net.
The home side look so much sharper than they did a week ago. Slavia don't look anything like the team which troubled the Blues in the Czech Republic. This could be one-sided if Chelsea add a second on the night.
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE (SIMON DELI OWN GOAL)
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GOAL! There is that second goal, but Pedro has been saved from huge embarrassment. Hazard's low pass across goal provided Pedro with the chance to tap home from a yard, but he hit the post. However, the ball ricocheted off the woodwork, hit Deli in the face and went into the roof of the net!
So Slavia now need three goals to give themselves any chance but Chelsea are completely outclassing their opponents. One more goal and Sarri can already think about resting players.
Nothing to report over the last couple of minutes, and that suits Chelsea. The home side are continuing to boss possession.
Slavia are now having slightly more success, but Chelsea don't look under any pressure at the back. Sarri may have the opportunity to give Cahill some minutes later this evening.
GOAL! CHELSEA 3-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE (OLIVIER GIROUD)
GOAL! It's surely game over. Kante puts Pedro clear on goal, but the Spaniard is instead keen to tee up Giroud. The winger bides his time before laying the ball across to his teammate, who taps into an empty net from 15 yards.
Slavia have had a couple of half-chances over the last few minutes, but they still cannot get near Chelsea when the Blues launch an attack.
Hazard has been fouled yet again, and it does appear like he is being targeted. The Belgian has had more treatment, but appears keen to continue.
Chelsea are still pushing for more goals, but perhaps not with the desire of the earlier stages. Hazard is back in the action, but Sarri must be worried with the knocks that he is receiving.
SAVE! Slavia should pull one back! A floated free kick is perfect for Deli who is waiting at the back post, but the centre-back sees his header well kept out by Arrizabalaga.
GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 SLAVIA PRAGUE (TOMAS SOUCEK)
GOAL! Slavia do get their goal back! The resulting corner finds Soucek all on his own at the back post, and the midfielder powers a header into the corner from 12 yards. However, there has been another goal...
GOAL! CHELSEA 4-1 SLAVIA PRAGUE (PEDRO)
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GOAL! What on earth is going on in this game?! Chelsea regain their three-goal advantage. Palmieri's cross from the left is met by Giroud, who has a shot saved by Kolar. However, the ball falls to Pedro who scuffs a close-range effort into the far corner.
This game could easily reach double figures by full time. It has been a crazy opening 29 minutes. Chelsea's defending is beginning to get as bad as Slavia's.
Slavia have had the better of it going forward over the past 10 minutes. That probably doesn't make a lot of sense, but that is the way this first half has progressed!
Barkley receives the ball behind the Slavia defence and the Englishman is keen to get a first-time volley on goal. However, a defender gets back to deny the playmaker.
YELLOW CARD! Kante picks up a yellow card for a needless foul in the middle of the park.
The intensity hasn't completely gone from this game, but Chelsea have made an effort to drop deeper and slow the pace. Sarri will clearly be delighted if his side can hold onto this 4-1 advantage until half time.
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Slavia win a free kick around 35 yards out, and the ball is floated towards the advancing Deli. However, the set piece has too much pace on it, and Chelsea have a goal kick.
Chelsea go up the other end and win a corner of their own, but Hazard can do nothing from the left side of the pitch.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 4-1 Slavia Prague
The half-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea hold a deserved 4-1 advantage. Slavia have improved gradually, but Chelsea have raised their game in the final third. Pedro has been the star of the show, but the Spaniard should have a hat-trick! Slavia need four goals to give themselves any chance.
That first half was a lot to process, but do you know what will help you? Our player stats. Click here to see who made a significant impact during that opening 45 minutes.
A quick reminder of the two benches...
CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Zappacosta, Cahill, Jorginho, Willian, Hudson-Odoi, Higuain
SLAVIA PRAGUE SUBSTITUTES: Olayinka, Zeleny, Van Buren, Stoch, Skoda, Frydrych, Kovar
KICKOFF: Chelsea get us back underway.
CHANCE! Slavia have come out for the restart looking to get on the front foot. A corner is won on the right, and it leads to Soucek sending a header over the crossbar from 15 yards out.
Chelsea have responded with some possession of their own, but neither Hazard and Pedro can get a shot away when getting behind the Slavia defence.
GOAL! CHELSEA 4-2 SLAVIA PRAGUE (PETR SEVCIK)
GOAL! Maybe there is still a game on here? Sevcik is given too much space on the edge of the area, and the midfielder lashes a low effort from 20 yards into the near corner. Sarri is furious.
YELLOW CARD! Kral goes into the book for a cynical foul on Barkley. Before that, Slavia made their first change with Olayinka replacing Musopast.
GOAL! CHELSEA 4-3 SLAVIA PRAGUE (PETR SEVCIK)
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GOAL! WHAT IS GOING ON?! Slavia have another goal back. Sevcik is again provided with too much space on the edge of the area and pings a 25-yard strike into the top corner of Arrizabalaga's net!
It feels like Chelsea are going to need at least one more goal. Slavia have rocked Stamford Bridge. Their supporters cannot believe what they are seeing. Neither can I.
To their credit, Chelsea are still pressing for goals. It's not that smart, however. Slavia really fancy this. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sarri introduce Jorginho before too long.
Nearly a fourth for Slavia! A low pass is sent across the penalty area and it finds Sevcik. However, on a hat-trick, the midfielder miscues his effort no more than a couple of yards and Arrizabalaga comes out to claim the ball.
Barkley wins a free kick in the middle of the pitch, and there is a collective sigh of relief from everyone associated with the Blues. It has progressed into that kind of contest.
SUBSTITUTION! Is this a bit of a risk from Sarri? Willian is being introduced for Hazard.
Chelsea have reverted to slowing things down again. It's the right move, but they are not necessarily reacting how they should when Slavia apply pressure.
Slavia nearly send through-balls into the path of Olayinka on two occasions in the space of minute. Chelsea are becoming increasingly nervous.
SUBSTITUTION! Sarri reacts by sending on Jorginho for Barkley.
YELLOW CARD! Kudela goes into the book for Prague after hauling down Willian.
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YELLOW CARD! Palmieri deservedly goes into the book for barging into a Slavia player when challenging for a high ball.
SUBSTITUTION! Slavia make a second switch as Sevcik is replaced by former Chelsea man Stoch.
We still have 10 minutes left in this match, but Chelsea are beginning to gain a bit more control of the ball. Slavia remain lively when pushing forward, but there are a few signs of tiredness without possession.
SHOT! Was this a sign of desperation? Stoch decides to try his luck from 30 yards, but the substitutes's effort goes well over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Arrizabalaga has been cautioned for time-wasting. It was a bit harsh on the Spaniard, but the referee seemingly wants to send out a message.
SUBSTITUTION! Slavia's third alteration sees Skoda brought on for Zmrhal.
SUBSTITUTION! Chelsea also make their final switch as Hudson-Odoi comes on for Pedro.
YELLOW CARD! Slavia have won a free kick on the edge of the area after a deliberate handball from Luiz. The Brazilian misjudged a header and reacted by leaving his hand out. Chance here...
There is a long build-up to the free kick, but Stoch's low strike is blocked by Willian.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
Chelsea win a free kick of their own at the other end, and Luiz's effort is equally as poor as Stoch's. The Brazilian's strike also goes into the wall.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 4-3 Slavia Prague
The full-time whistle goes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have reached the semi-finals of the Europa League. It did not turn out to be plain sailing for Sarri's side, but the Blues have managed to set up a last-four showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening, and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
