UCL: Chelsea Edge Out Borussia Dortmund to Reach Quarterfinals

Chelsea saved their season alive by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League 2-1 on combination on Tuesday.

Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz, with a twice-taken penalty, received the objectives because the Blues relieved the stress on supervisor Graham Potter.

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The Englishman’s job was on the road after a season that has up to now failed to ship any return on a world-record injection of over £500 million ($600 million) in a single season on new signings.

Chelsea had gained simply three of their earlier 16 matches to fall to tenth within the Premier League and bow out early of each home cups.

But a few of their costly assortment of stars confirmed up in time to stay within the hunt for a 3rd European Cup.

“There was a incredible feeling within the dressing room. We have been by a troublesome interval and this competitors means rather a lot for us,” said Potter.

“We wanted to progress and get into the last eight and it sets us up for the next few weeks.”

Dortmund arrived in England on the again of a 10-game profitable run in all competitions.

But the guests posed barely any attacking risk within the first half bar a Marco Reus free-kick that Kepa Arrizabalaga did brilliantly to palm to security.

“We have to say, over the course of two video games, Chelsea deserve to undergo,” said Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.

“Both legs were very tight games. In this type of games inches and moments decide if you are going to the next round or not.”

Chances got here and went steadily on the different finish. Havertz smashed a volley off the within of the publish after which lastly discovered the online through the underside of the bar just for the purpose to be dominated out for an offside in opposition to Sterling earlier within the transfer.

The worst miss was to come as Kalidou Koulibaly miscued with an open purpose from Ben Chilwell’s free-kick and Felix’s follow-up effort was blocked on the road.

Potter was uncharacteristically animated on the touchline as he continually whipped the gang up to preserve pushing his facet ahead.

“There is loads of emotion ultimately,” added Potter. “It was tense in the end but the boys played fantastic.

“I am delighted for them to get the win and great for everyone here.”

The residence followers lastly had one thing to have fun three minutes earlier than half-time.

Sterling comes good

Sterling’s first try was one other one to neglect as he swiped and missed Chilwell’s low cross, however the England worldwide composed himself to dribble previous Reus and hearth excessive into the online.

“I had somewhat mis-kick with the primary contact but it surely landed completely and allowed us to construct on that for our efficiency,” mentioned Sterling.

That was just Chelsea’s third goal in the last eight games.

Havertz’s penalty early in the second half meant Potter’s men scored more than once for the first time since December 27, but the German international needed two spot-kicks to make his mark.

Marius Wolf was penalised for handling Chilwell’s cross after a VAR review.

Havertz’s first penalty came back off the post, but VAR came to Chelsea’s rescue once more as Dortmund were further punished for encroaching.

There was no second reprieve as Havertz coolly slotted the ball the same way, this time finding the corner of the net.

Chelsea’s spending spree may have ruled them out of the running for Jude Bellingham with the Dortmund midfielder expected to have his choice of Europe’s top clubs this summer.

But on his return to England, Bellingham missed Dortmund’s best chance to take the tie to extra-time when he side-footed wide from close range.

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