Chelsea 2-0 Borussia Dortmund (2-1 on aggregate) (Sterling 44′, Havertz pen 55′)
Chelsea secured their place in the Champions League quarter-final after a nervy 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge sent them through 2-1 on aggregate.
A lack of goals has been typical of Chelsea’s performances under Graham Potter and for the first 43 minutes, it looked set to be another frustrating game as a combination of poor finishing and misfortune kept the ball out of Dortmund’s net.
Eventually, with their ninth attempt the home side made the breakthrough, as Raheem Sterling fired a half-volley into the roof of the net after the ball had bounced fortuitously into his path.
Kai Havertz doubled Chelsea’s lead shortly after half-time, converting a contentiously awarded penalty at the second time of asking after Dortmund’s players were penalised for encroaching into the area. And that proved to be enough to see Potter’s side through.
Here’s how Chelsea’s players rated:
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Chelsea player ratings
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Beaten by a James Ward-Prowse free-kick last month but got a strong right hand to push a goal-bound Marco Reus effort to safety from a near identical position. Made a big stop to deny Marius Wolf after his side had gone in front and generally solid between the posts. 7
Wesley Fofana: Provides welcome pace to Chelsea’s backline and distributed the ball effectively from defence. Another game under his belt as he steps up his match fitness. 7
Kalidou Koulibaly: Nodded an early Chilwell corner wide when well positioned in middle of the goal and then missed an even better chance from another delivery from the left-back, somehow missing an open goal. Much more accomplished in his own box, however, making a couple of timely headed clearances. 7
Marc Cucurella: Hasn’t enjoyed an easy start to his Chelsea career but was generally solid and looks better suited to a left-sided role as a centre-back than at wing-back. 6
Reece James: Not at his most impactful going forward, but his presence in the side adds solidity and energy to Chelsea’s entire right flank. Flattened by Bellingham late on but seemed to be ok as he made his way off. 6
Mateo Kovacic: A touch wasteful with his passing, recording a disappointing 68 per cent pass accuracy rate in the first-half, but his driving runs and experience were invaluable as the night wore on. 7
Enzo Fernandez: Neat and tidy on the ball, but looked a little leggy and a peripheral figure for the most past. Booked for a clumsy challenge on Guerreiro, before coming off in the latter stages. 6
Ben Chilwell: Becoming an increasingly effective set-piece creator but unfortunately for him, Koulibaly spurned two big opportunities to score from his crosses. Sliced a shot of his own horribly wide just before half-time but made up for it with a vital last-ditch intervention to stop Raphael Guerreiro from scoring. Won his side a penalty as his cross hit Marius Wolf’s arm. An effective display. 8
Kai Havertz: His goalscoring woes were summed up in a frustrating first-half in which a snapshot ricocheted off the inside of the post and wide, before a superb effort off the inside of the bar was denied by the offside flag. Finally, he found the net from the penalty spot, but only after being generously given a second opportunity to score after again hitting the post with his first attempt. Kept going and got his rewards. 8
Raheem Sterling: Hesitated horribly after being through on goal in the opening minutes much to the dismay of the home fans, although the offside flag mercifully came to his rescue. Lashed Chelsea level with an emphatic strike after initially failing to connect from Chilwell’s cross, though and teed up Gallagher to tap into the net, but was millimetres offside. 7
Raheem Sterling levels the tie for Chelsea!!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 7, 2023
A goal had been coming… a huge second half awaits these two!#UCL pic.twitter.com/1Hjx5LCfAe
Joao Felix: Involved early on and an effective link between midfield and attack, but still struggling for goals in a Chelsea shirt. Side-footed a presentable chance straight at Alexander Meyer and was replaced midway through the second half. 6
Subs:
Conor Gallagher: A typically industrious cameo. 7
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Late sub.
Christian Pulisic: Late sub.
Denis Zakaria: Late sub.
Jude Bellingham watch
The world’s wealthiest, most reputable clubs are jostling to get to the front of the queue to prise Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, with Chelsea invariably one of those linked with the English teenager.
After a bright start, Bellingham faded as Chelsea took control of the contest, but he sprang into life just after Sterling’s opener, teasing a pass through for Raphael Guerreiro who was denied a clear sight of goal by the recovering Chilwell.
Bellingham’s indignant reaction towards his team-mate was proof that he thought he should have done better, but the histrionics were a touch unnecessary and reminiscent of Bruno Fernandes’ counter-productive antics at Anfield.
He then missed a huge opportunity to draw Dortmund level just minutes after Havertz had put Chelsea in front, skewing a volley wide from inside the six-yard box, in what was his defining moment of the match.
Crunched his England team-mate Reece James with a reckless challenge borne of frustration in the final minute of stoppage time to earn a yellow card and cap a disappointing evening.
Dortmund’s run in this season’s competition is over, but Bellingham will be back on this stage again before long. In what colours remains to be seen.
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