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.

---

David Silva is set to leave Manchester City at the end of next season, according to reports. The 33-year-old is expected to run down his contract at the Etihad and finish his career at boyhood club Las Palmas in Spain.
David Silva: Man City expect midfielder to stay at Etihad

---

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery will leave the club when his contract with them expires in the summer. "I don't have a concrete plan for next season yet," said Ribery, who also won the 2013
Bayern Munich announce Ribery will leave on a free at end of

---

The inaugural Nations League final presents Cristiano Ronaldo with the chance to personally secure silverware for Portugal for the first time - but he will have to get past Virgil van Dijk and the
What is the UEFA Nations League?

---

Daniel Levy will reportedly reject any approach from Manchester United for Mauricio Pochettino. United are believed to have made the Tottenham Hotspur manager their number one target following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in December.
Spurs supporters send message to Daniel Levy and Mauricio

---

Stats suggest Heung-min Son is more important to Tottenham than Harry Kane as striker faces spell on the sidelines Harry Kane's season could well be over, but that does not mean Tottenham Hotspur should start planning their summer holidays. The England captain suffered a talkSPORT 1 hour ago Also reported by •Firstpost
Kenya Sport News ~ Kenya Latest - fp-news.com

---

One famous Arsenal fan who has long-criticised the club's fall from grace towards the end of the Arsene Wenger era is Piers Morgan. "North London is, like it's always been, red. So suck
I will not take any lectures on football from Tottenham fans

---

Vicente Iborra has left Leicester to join La Liga club Villarreal for an undisclosed fee. The midfielder, 30, moved to the Premier League side from Sevilla in the summer of 2017, making 37 appearances for the Foxes.
Leicester City transfer news: Vicente Iborra leaves club to

---

Battle to 'avoid' Champions League heats up, Cardiff City on

---

Virgil van Dijk better than Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic, says Liverpool star's former boss Pieter H 6 mins ago Every Premier League club's last five opening day fixtures in the top-flight
PICTURE: Manchester United defender Patrice Evra models Rio

---

Danny Rose has admitted he could leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer.The left-back, who was close to moving on last summer, has cited h Tottenham defender Danny Rose admits he may leave as PSG, Manchester United and Chelsea linked - CHOCHILINO
Tottenham Hotspur star Danny Rose admits he may leave club

---

Arsenal team news: Predicted line up vs Sporting CP - Unai Emery WON'T experiment ARSENAL team news has been revealed by Unai Emery ahead of their Europa League clash with Sporting CP.

---