Chelsea Away Goal Give Them Edge Over Frankfurt In Europa League Stalemate

Chelsea ’s Europa league semi-final tie with Bundesliga club, Eintracht Frankfurt was left hanging on a piece of thread after a 1-1 draw between the two sides with Pedro grabbing a huge and crucial away goal for the London Blues at the stroke of half time.

Chelsea fell behind when in-demand Luka Jovic nodded the ball into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Kepa Arrizabalaga with the clock reading 33 minutes after connecting to a cross from compatriot Filip Costic, raising the noise and cheers in the atmosphere. Game on!

It was Jovic’s ninth goal of the competition and 26th in all competitions this campaign.

Pedro then followed it up moments later with a powerful strike into the goal after being setup by an incredible Lofts-Cheek as Frankfurt failed to press home their advantage as they gasped for breath and energy with Chelsea dictating the pace of the game.

Neither side could grab a winner with chances failing to find the net on either sides of the turf. David Liz tipped a powerful freekick over the bar while the hosts, Frankfurt came agonizingly close on a number of occasions.

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That said, the scoreline was not a true reflection of what had transpired during the game with Chelsea dominating the game and its flow after the first by Frankfurt and the hosts were lucky not to go behind before the break.

This is what captain, Cesar Azpilicueta had to say concerning that time frame,

“I think the last 15 minutes of the first half we dominated with great chances. We scored the goal before halftime and in the second half I think we had more chances than them.”

Chelsea were even more livelier after the break with their biggest chance coming through David Luiz who rattled the crossbar.

Both teams occupy 4th place position on their league standings and see the Europa league as an alternative route for next season’s Champions League qualification.

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Chelsea it ended.