Not much has gone Chelsea’s way lately.
The big club certainly won 1-0 against Leeds in the last round of the Premier League, but it was only the London gang’s third win in the last 16 games, and manager Graham Potter is heavily questioned.
Showed class
However, the question is whether that shaky three-pointer against the bottom team Leeds was not some kind of turnaround for Chelsea.
Because in the second round of 16 in the Champions League, at home against Dortmund, the crisis team showed a game that promised well.
Raheem Sterling gave Chelsea the lead in the closing stages of the first half to level the doubleheader at 1-1 – Dortmund won the first round of 16 at home 1-0 – and in the second half Kai Havertz sent home the winner from the penalty spot.
Dual VAR reviews
It was a controversial penalty.
A lengthy VAR review was required before referee Danny Makkiele could rule that the ball had hit a Dortmund player on the hand inside the penalty area and when Havertz then hit the post it was time for another VAR review – this time because Dortmund players possibly were too early into the penalty area.
Makkiele eventually determined that this was the case and Havertz was given another try. This time the German was the safety himself and after the 2-0 goal, Chelsea could control the events more or less safely.
The victory not only means advancement to the quarter-finals, but also that the Swedish acquaintance Potter will probably have to remain in his post for another time.
For Chelsea and the Potters, an away game against Leicester awaits next in the league game.
In Portugal, Benfica made the process short with Belgian Club Brugge. The home team won the return match with a whopping 5–1 and advanced to the quarter-finals with a total of 7–1.