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| Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Chelsea: Europa League semi-final, first leg – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Chelsea are 90 minutes from the final. Thanks for your company. Now, read Dominic Fifield’s report from Frankfurt: | Chelsea are 90 minutes from the final. Thanks for your company. Now, read Dominic Fifield’s report from Frankfurt: |
| Pedro pegs back Eintracht Frankfurt with precious away goal for Chelsea | Pedro pegs back Eintracht Frankfurt with precious away goal for Chelsea |
| Some post-match Chelsea reaction. The captain, César Azpilicueta, says: “We scored an away goal, it’s always important. But today was just the first step to get the result. Everything is going to be decided at Stamford Bridge next Thursday. We know we have to win the game, they are a dangerous team and they play with a lot intensity. It is the last step before the final. We started the job in September, we have to finish it altogether on Thursday and hopefully we can bring our fans to Baku.” Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who grew in influence, was asked about the influence of Jorginho. “I think Jorginho was really good in the second half, dictating the play,” he says. “When he sucks players in, it gives me and N’Golo [Kanté] space to turn and run at the defence or get a pass off.” | |
| In the other semi-final, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the gloss on a big result for Arsenal. They saw off Valencia 3-1: | |
| Arsenal’s Lacazette-Aubameyang double act puts Valencia on back foot | |
| Maurizio Sarri’s side will take an away goal home with them. A fine first-half equaliser by Pedro gives Chelsea a decent platform to build on at Stamford Bridge next Thursday, as the road to Baku nears. They are 90 minutes away from reaching the Europa League final. Frankfurt showed glimpses of class – particularly in the first 45 minutes – but in the end they struggled to live with the pace and power of Chelsea, especially Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Eden Hazard came on for half an hour but could not dig out a winner. | Maurizio Sarri’s side will take an away goal home with them. A fine first-half equaliser by Pedro gives Chelsea a decent platform to build on at Stamford Bridge next Thursday, as the road to Baku nears. They are 90 minutes away from reaching the Europa League final. Frankfurt showed glimpses of class – particularly in the first 45 minutes – but in the end they struggled to live with the pace and power of Chelsea, especially Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Eden Hazard came on for half an hour but could not dig out a winner. |
| 90+5 min: Now Sebastian Rode is down with cramp. The midfielder has covered just about every blade of grass. | 90+5 min: Now Sebastian Rode is down with cramp. The midfielder has covered just about every blade of grass. |
| 90+4 min: Frankfurt look as though they are going to hang on. | 90+4 min: Frankfurt look as though they are going to hang on. |
| 90+1 min: Willems replaces Mijat Gacinovic. | 90+1 min: Willems replaces Mijat Gacinovic. |
| 90 min: There will be five added minutes. | 90 min: There will be five added minutes. |
| 88 min: Jovic powers away from Pedro, winning a free-kick after pressing pause and then fast forward down the left flank. He has shown glimpses of class, none more so than for the opening goal here. Frankfurt whip it in from the left but David Luiz gets up to head away. N’Golo Kanté then tidies up, before Emerson gives Gacinovic, who goes down with cramp, a helping hand. | 88 min: Jovic powers away from Pedro, winning a free-kick after pressing pause and then fast forward down the left flank. He has shown glimpses of class, none more so than for the opening goal here. Frankfurt whip it in from the left but David Luiz gets up to head away. N’Golo Kanté then tidies up, before Emerson gives Gacinovic, who goes down with cramp, a helping hand. |
| 85 min: N’Golo Kanté almost gifts Frankfurt a second goal! The midfielder tries to be clever as Chelsea play out from the back through Jorginho and Kostic is played through on goal. In fairness, Kanté does magnificently to make amends, getting across the forward to snuff out the danger. Chelsea survive – but that is two big let-offs in a matter of seconds. They looked so comfortable, too. | 85 min: N’Golo Kanté almost gifts Frankfurt a second goal! The midfielder tries to be clever as Chelsea play out from the back through Jorginho and Kostic is played through on goal. In fairness, Kanté does magnificently to make amends, getting across the forward to snuff out the danger. Chelsea survive – but that is two big let-offs in a matter of seconds. They looked so comfortable, too. |
| 84 min: David Abraham heads over unmarked! The Frankfurt captain ghosts into the box and nods over Rode’s corner. Head in hands stuff for the Argentinian defender. A stirring late rally by the German side, who have seemingly dipped into the energy reserves. | 84 min: David Abraham heads over unmarked! The Frankfurt captain ghosts into the box and nods over Rode’s corner. Head in hands stuff for the Argentinian defender. A stirring late rally by the German side, who have seemingly dipped into the energy reserves. |
| 82 min: Mateo Kovacic replaces Ruben Loftus-Cheek. | 82 min: Mateo Kovacic replaces Ruben Loftus-Cheek. |
| 80 min: Chelsea – and David Luiz – get away with one. Da Costa comes alive again, squareing up the Brazilian, and proceeds to jink past the defender. He whips in a beautiful ball from the right ... but the linesman has his flag up. That was sluggish by David Luiz. | 80 min: Chelsea – and David Luiz – get away with one. Da Costa comes alive again, squareing up the Brazilian, and proceeds to jink past the defender. He whips in a beautiful ball from the right ... but the linesman has his flag up. That was sluggish by David Luiz. |
| 79 min: They say it is the hope that kills you. Chelsea are rampant, Jorginho makes a crunching challenge on Gacinovic. There should only be one winner here, but can Chelsea make their pressure count? And now, right on cue ... | 79 min: They say it is the hope that kills you. Chelsea are rampant, Jorginho makes a crunching challenge on Gacinovic. There should only be one winner here, but can Chelsea make their pressure count? And now, right on cue ... |
| 77 min: Frankfurt players and fans want a penalty – but the referee is having none of it. A nothing ball cannoned into the chest of Olivier Giroud. Frankfurt are going ballistic but that was a rather tired, half-hearted appeal. They had a glimmer of hope. | 77 min: Frankfurt players and fans want a penalty – but the referee is having none of it. A nothing ball cannoned into the chest of Olivier Giroud. Frankfurt are going ballistic but that was a rather tired, half-hearted appeal. They had a glimmer of hope. |
| 76 min: David Luiz heads straight at Trapp! Hazard’s cross is gorgeous, with the Chelsea defender doing well to skate away from his marker and send a diving header goalwards. But it is ultimately too close to the Frankfurt goalkeeper who gathers. | 76 min: David Luiz heads straight at Trapp! Hazard’s cross is gorgeous, with the Chelsea defender doing well to skate away from his marker and send a diving header goalwards. But it is ultimately too close to the Frankfurt goalkeeper who gathers. |
| 75 min: Loftus-Cheek wins Chelsea a free-kick, 25 yards out, wide on the left. Can Eden Hazard conjure up some magic? | 75 min: Loftus-Cheek wins Chelsea a free-kick, 25 yards out, wide on the left. Can Eden Hazard conjure up some magic? |
| 73 min: Hazard has a shot deflected over! Trapp first saves from Loftus-Cheek, who drifted into space on the edge of the box. It came from another wave forward, César Azpilicueta crossing from the right. Frankfurt just cannot keep possession. And Chelsea just keep coming back at them. Hinteregger is holding it together back there. A weary Frankfurt are all over the place. | 73 min: Hazard has a shot deflected over! Trapp first saves from Loftus-Cheek, who drifted into space on the edge of the box. It came from another wave forward, César Azpilicueta crossing from the right. Frankfurt just cannot keep possession. And Chelsea just keep coming back at them. Hinteregger is holding it together back there. A weary Frankfurt are all over the place. |
| 72 min: Frankfurt make their first change of the evening. Gonçalo Paciência replaces Fernandes, who was on a booking. | 72 min: Frankfurt make their first change of the evening. Gonçalo Paciência replaces Fernandes, who was on a booking. |
| 71 min: Loftus-Cheek bundles into the area, his second touch is heavy but the ball runs into the path of Giroud. The Chelsea striker intelligently turns but ends up stabbing an effort wide. | 71 min: Loftus-Cheek bundles into the area, his second touch is heavy but the ball runs into the path of Giroud. The Chelsea striker intelligently turns but ends up stabbing an effort wide. |
| 69 min: Gacinovic slightly overcooks a routine pass and David Abraham fails to keep it in play. Chelsea, who continue to probe, sense blood. Hazard, Loftus-Cheek and Pedro are queuing up to take over the baton from Jorginho in midfield. | 69 min: Gacinovic slightly overcooks a routine pass and David Abraham fails to keep it in play. Chelsea, who continue to probe, sense blood. Hazard, Loftus-Cheek and Pedro are queuing up to take over the baton from Jorginho in midfield. |
| 68 min: Frankfurt look pretty spent. Chelsea tease them by hogging the ball, making them work even harder. It is a thankless task. Adi Hütter, the Frankfurt coach, must be tempted to make a change. | 68 min: Frankfurt look pretty spent. Chelsea tease them by hogging the ball, making them work even harder. It is a thankless task. Adi Hütter, the Frankfurt coach, must be tempted to make a change. |
| 66 min: Hazard’s corner spins in towards the near post – but Kevin Trapp, the Frankfurt goalkeeper, punches it clear. Chelsea are in the box-seat now, stroking the ball about with purpose. | 66 min: Hazard’s corner spins in towards the near post – but Kevin Trapp, the Frankfurt goalkeeper, punches it clear. Chelsea are in the box-seat now, stroking the ball about with purpose. |
| 65 min: Hinteregger is alert again on Giroud, screening the striker after Jorginho dinked the ball into the box. The Austrian has had his hands full at times but has coped well. The rest of the Frankfurt side have wilted a little. Hasebe concedes another corner ... | 65 min: Hinteregger is alert again on Giroud, screening the striker after Jorginho dinked the ball into the box. The Austrian has had his hands full at times but has coped well. The rest of the Frankfurt side have wilted a little. Hasebe concedes another corner ... |
| 63 min: Chelsea win another corner! Giroud does brilliantly, swivelling to chest down a smart cross-field pass. He has Hinteregger for company but the striker superbly shields the ball away from the defender before he can nip in to intercept. Frankfurt try to counter, attempting to pick out Jovic but it breaks down. | 63 min: Chelsea win another corner! Giroud does brilliantly, swivelling to chest down a smart cross-field pass. He has Hinteregger for company but the striker superbly shields the ball away from the defender before he can nip in to intercept. Frankfurt try to counter, attempting to pick out Jovic but it breaks down. |
| 62 min: Eden Hazard replaces Willian. Half an hour for the Belgian. | 62 min: Eden Hazard replaces Willian. Half an hour for the Belgian. |
| 61 min: A crude challenge on Loftus-Cheek earns Gelson Fernandes, the former Manchester City midfielder, a booking. | 61 min: A crude challenge on Loftus-Cheek earns Gelson Fernandes, the former Manchester City midfielder, a booking. |
| 58 min: David Luiz rattles the crossbar! A cracking effort by the Chelsea defender, whose strike fizzed over the Frankfurt wall. | 58 min: David Luiz rattles the crossbar! A cracking effort by the Chelsea defender, whose strike fizzed over the Frankfurt wall. |
| 56 min: Willian forces a save from Trapp! He cuts on to his right foot, bending an effort at goal from the edge of the area but it’s lacking conviction. Hasebe is then booked for chopping down Willian after Chelsea recycle possession. A promising position for Chelsea to test the Frankfurt goalkeeper. Eden Hazard is stripped and ready for action but, on the field, it is David Luiz who fancies it, 25 yards out ... | 56 min: Willian forces a save from Trapp! He cuts on to his right foot, bending an effort at goal from the edge of the area but it’s lacking conviction. Hasebe is then booked for chopping down Willian after Chelsea recycle possession. A promising position for Chelsea to test the Frankfurt goalkeeper. Eden Hazard is stripped and ready for action but, on the field, it is David Luiz who fancies it, 25 yards out ... |
| 53 min: Loftus-Cheek shoots over at the end of a slick Chelsea move! It stems from a neat counterattack, started by Kanté just inside his own half. Loftus-Cheek then surged forward, breezing past Hinteregger unchallenged before slipping in Pedro. The Portuguese laid it back for Loftus-Cheek to have a pop but in the end it comes off his shin. A wonderful move but no end product. | 53 min: Loftus-Cheek shoots over at the end of a slick Chelsea move! It stems from a neat counterattack, started by Kanté just inside his own half. Loftus-Cheek then surged forward, breezing past Hinteregger unchallenged before slipping in Pedro. The Portuguese laid it back for Loftus-Cheek to have a pop but in the end it comes off his shin. A wonderful move but no end product. |
| 52 min: David Luiz buys a free-kick deep inside the Chelsea half. They have started the second half the better. They are dominating the ball and they look intent on finding a second. Meanwhile, down on the touchline, Eden Hazard is warming up. | 52 min: David Luiz buys a free-kick deep inside the Chelsea half. They have started the second half the better. They are dominating the ball and they look intent on finding a second. Meanwhile, down on the touchline, Eden Hazard is warming up. |
| 50 min: If a Terry Butcher bandage doesn’t endear Jorginho to unconvinced Chelsea fans, then nothing will. The Italian is back up on his feet, all smiles. As is Rode. They’re both happy to play on, with the referee seeking a quick thumbs-up from the pair. | 50 min: If a Terry Butcher bandage doesn’t endear Jorginho to unconvinced Chelsea fans, then nothing will. The Italian is back up on his feet, all smiles. As is Rode. They’re both happy to play on, with the referee seeking a quick thumbs-up from the pair. |
| 49 min: A nasty clash of heads between Rode and Jorginho. The Chelsea midfielder appears to have come off worse. The medical team are quickly to his aid. Jorginho remains grounded. | 49 min: A nasty clash of heads between Rode and Jorginho. The Chelsea midfielder appears to have come off worse. The medical team are quickly to his aid. Jorginho remains grounded. |
| 48 min: Chelsea pen Frankfurt in early on in the second half. The hosts have started a little lethargically. The same cannot be said for the crowd, though. They are fully revved-up, supercharged. | 48 min: Chelsea pen Frankfurt in early on in the second half. The hosts have started a little lethargically. The same cannot be said for the crowd, though. They are fully revved-up, supercharged. |
| 47 min: Jorginho does well to sweep up possession in midfield, putting Sarri’s side immediately on the front foot. | 47 min: Jorginho does well to sweep up possession in midfield, putting Sarri’s side immediately on the front foot. |
| 46 min: Frankfurt get us back under way. No changes. | 46 min: Frankfurt get us back under way. No changes. |
| Level-pegging at the interval. Chelsea were flat for 40 minutes, with Frankfurt taking a deserved lead through the 21-year-old Luka Jovic, but they rallied just before the break. Ruben Loftus-Cheek kickstarted a mini-revival, lashing an effort just wide of the post before turning provider to pick out Pedro, who powered an equaliser into the corner of goal. Sarri said they had “trouble” in defence and they have looked suspect down the left, with Danny da Costa finding joy time and again against the defender, while Andreas Christensen, on thin ice after an early booking, has looked nervy at times. It’s all to play for in the second half. | Level-pegging at the interval. Chelsea were flat for 40 minutes, with Frankfurt taking a deserved lead through the 21-year-old Luka Jovic, but they rallied just before the break. Ruben Loftus-Cheek kickstarted a mini-revival, lashing an effort just wide of the post before turning provider to pick out Pedro, who powered an equaliser into the corner of goal. Sarri said they had “trouble” in defence and they have looked suspect down the left, with Danny da Costa finding joy time and again against the defender, while Andreas Christensen, on thin ice after an early booking, has looked nervy at times. It’s all to play for in the second half. |
| Maurizio Sarri’s side are level in Germany. Moments after Loftus-Cheek went close, he battles his way through to help the ball on to Pedro inside the box. His quick feet wriggle a yard of space inside the box. He jinks to his left before hammering in a low effort. | Maurizio Sarri’s side are level in Germany. Moments after Loftus-Cheek went close, he battles his way through to help the ball on to Pedro inside the box. His quick feet wriggle a yard of space inside the box. He jinks to his left before hammering in a low effort. |
| 42 min: Loftus-Cheek angles a fierce shot just wide! | 42 min: Loftus-Cheek angles a fierce shot just wide! |
| 40 min: Christensen gets away with one! Da Costa boots the ball upfield, the Chelsea defender misjudges the bounce and Gacinovic nips in to beat him to it. But instead of running on to it, and through on goal, the Frankfurt forward wants a foul after Christensen had a little tug at him. Gacinovic should have just got his head down, carried on with things and given Kepa something to think about. As it turned out, Frankfurt spurn a huge opportunity. The Spanish referee was unmoved. | 40 min: Christensen gets away with one! Da Costa boots the ball upfield, the Chelsea defender misjudges the bounce and Gacinovic nips in to beat him to it. But instead of running on to it, and through on goal, the Frankfurt forward wants a foul after Christensen had a little tug at him. Gacinovic should have just got his head down, carried on with things and given Kepa something to think about. As it turned out, Frankfurt spurn a huge opportunity. The Spanish referee was unmoved. |
| 39 min: Sebastian Rode has been ubiquitous for Frankfurt. Neither Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho nor Kanté have got near him. | 39 min: Sebastian Rode has been ubiquitous for Frankfurt. Neither Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho nor Kanté have got near him. |
| 37 min: Chelsea win another corner through Pedro. Willian swings it in and Giroud goes to ground appealing for a penalty after clashing with Hinteregger but it is the Chelsea striker that is fault. Sarri and Zola have a pop at the fourth official but that is frustration more than anything. Chelsea have simply not been good enough. | 37 min: Chelsea win another corner through Pedro. Willian swings it in and Giroud goes to ground appealing for a penalty after clashing with Hinteregger but it is the Chelsea striker that is fault. Sarri and Zola have a pop at the fourth official but that is frustration more than anything. Chelsea have simply not been good enough. |
| 35 min: Jorginho upends Rode on halfway. The Dortmund loanee will whips it in and, in the end, it is diverted behind for a Frankfurt corner via Giroud’s head. They, too, opt for a short corner before failing to make the most of another bite of the cherry. | 35 min: Jorginho upends Rode on halfway. The Dortmund loanee will whips it in and, in the end, it is diverted behind for a Frankfurt corner via Giroud’s head. They, too, opt for a short corner before failing to make the most of another bite of the cherry. |