Chelsea 4-3 Slavia Prague (5-3 agg): Blues survive second half fightback from visitors to reach Europa League semi-finals

Chelsea 4-3 Slavia Prague (5-3 agg): Blues survive second half fightback from visitors to reach Europa League semi-finals
Chelsea made it through to the semi-finals of the Europa League but it was far from a comfortable win against Slavia Prague at Stamford Bridge.The Blues were 4-1 up after 27 minutes into the match and looked capable of scoring several more before the end.A second-half fight back by the visitors, and two superb long-distance goals from Petr Sevcik, saw a nervy Chelsea claim a 4-3 win and a 5-3 aggregate victory.4

Pedro opens the scoring for Chelsea

Maurizio Sarri named a strong side at Stamford Bridge with both Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante starting, with both rested for the first leg in Prague.It took just five minutes for Chelsea to double their aggregate lead as Pedro produced a sublime dinked finish after a neat one-two with striker Olivier Giroud.And the tie appeared as though it was as good as over just five minutes later as the Blues doubled their lead on the night. Another smart team move set Pedro up with a simple tap-in from close range.4

Olivier Giroud scores Chelsea’s third

But the Spanish winger inexplicably fired his effort against the post, only for it to bounce up into the face of Slavia Prague defender Simon Deli and rebound into the net.The goals just kept coming for Sarri’s rampant Chelsea, who had their third after 17 minutes with Pedro this time the provider.He squared for Giroud to score his 10th Europa League goal of the season.The visitors, trailing 4-0 on aggregate, pulled a goal back through captain Tomas Soucek who headed in unmarked from a corner.4

Tomas Soucek gets on back for Slavia Prague

But moments later Chelsea restored that advantage with their fourth goal of the night as Pedro bundled in.Slavia Prague grabbed their second of the night shortly after half time to reduce their aggregate deficit to 5-2.Petr Sevcik’s superb 20-yard strike was out of the reach of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.4

Slavia Prague celebrate scoring

And Sevcik repeated the feat from similar range in the 55th minute to give the visitors hope of an astonishing fightback.His right-footed strike flew into the top corner as Prague made it 4-3 on the night, to cut Chelsea’s aggregate lead to 5-3.Suddenly the Blues’ cruise was under threat. And had Sevcik connected in the box when he slipped instead, their last-four place could have come under serious threat.David Luiz got away with a cynical handball to deny Slavia a late chance, with the visitors squandering their free-kick on the edge of the Chelsea area. And so the Blues held out, surviving a genuine fright when they should have breezed through.They will go on to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final after they beat Benfica, the first leg will be played on May 2 and May 9.In the second semi-final, Arsenal will play Valencia.

---

Feb 22, 2019 · West Ham United hangs three on Fulham (video) the decision was made because he came to me before the end of the season and asked me not to activate the option [to buy him]," Rummenigge said
Arsenal vs Napoli FREE live stream: How to watch without

---

Jurgen Klopp should have been sent to the stands and should receive a touchline ban for his wild celebration of Liverpool's dramatic winner in Sunday's Merseyside derby, according to Adrian Clarke. The Reds boss sprinted onto the pitch to hug goalkeeper Alisson when Divock Origi scored in the sixth minute of added time to seal a […]
Liverpool manager charged by FA for running on to the pitch

---

There was much to work on at Arsenal but they were getting the rub of the green in this transitional period. There were signs of promise and the free-flowing football of old in the games against Leicester City and Fulham. A new approach to big games was taken in matches against Liverpool and a season-high home victory against Spurs.
Opposition Scout Report: Fulham - Gooner Now
goonernow.co.uk/arsenal-fixtures/opposition-scout-report-fulham/5438/
In fact, Fulham have won only one of the last 12 head to heads in all competitions and have remarkably never won on Arsenal's home soil. Expect the Gunners to banish that Liverpool memory and get the new year off to a bang with a 3-1 home win.
Alexandre Lacazette News, Stats and Goals | Daily Mail Online

---

Manchester United looked more the part against Liverpool, and with Arsenal looking more solid at last, you would have to think it is more between these two at the moment. United have the know how to finish the job from here, this is the time of the season when they have historically put their foot down and pulled away.
ddm-times-naive-bayes/Sports.tsv at master · jphines/ddm

---

Copa Libertadores Final second leg between Boca Juniors and Rover Plate postponed AGAIN after bus attack The two great rivals will have to re-arrange their clash after the attack on the Boca bus
Boca Juniors vs. River Plate: Libertadores final postponed

---

Man Utd transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent SHOCK message "Sanchez gonna get sold soon, had the audacity to sit on the Gaffer's seat on the bench!" said one fan. "Sanchez sat in Ole's seat haha brilliant!" added another. "Haha Sanchez went and sat on Ole's seat and just kicked out. That was so funny", tweeted a third.

---

Olly Murs on talkSPORT: 'They'll be riots if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn't given the Manchester United job' Thursday, 7 March 2019 There will be blood in Manchester if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn't give the permanent Manchester United job at the end of the season, Olly Murs has told talkSPORT.
Customized Design Sportswear, Wholesale Leisure Fitness Wear

---

Frank Lampard has admitted he will talk with Derby County owner Mel Morris about his future. The Rams boss watched on despondently from the Wembley touchline as Aston Villa secured a return to the Premier League after a 2-1 win on Bank Holiday Monday.
Derby County boss Frank Lampard reveals he will hold talks

---

Jose Mourinho takes his Manchester United side to Anfield this Sunday for what is unfailingly one of the stand-out fixtures of the Premier League campaign. Queen's Club with former world No 1
2008-09 Manchester United F.C. season - Wikipedia

---

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has pledged his international future to England. Rice, 20, has won three senior Republic of Ireland caps, all in friendlies, having played for his grandparents
West Ham Star Rice Chooses England Over Rep. of Ireland

---

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is amazed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's pre-derby warning to his Manchester United players that they should be ready to be kicked at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Mutiny' among Manchester United fans if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

---

Former England defender Matthew Upson has insisted that Son Heung-min deserved to be nominated for the PFA Player of the Year after his excellent performances for Tottenham this season. The nominations for the prestigious award were released on Saturday, but no Tottenham players featured.
Jermaine Jenas names surprise player in his alternative PFA

---

MANCHESTER UNITED expect David De Gea to stay at Old Trafford and snub PSG and Juventus because of the exit of Jose Mourinho, reports say. has been tipped to leave the club for a new challenge
Manchester United make breakthrough in David De Gea contract

---