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.

---

Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan shoots against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League Both sets of players are likely to be physically and mentally exhausted given the outrageous match they served up on Wednesday - but they both need wins given their current situations in the top-flight.
Premier League table: How the top-flight could change this

---

West Ham transfer news: Edimilson Fernandes 'set for £

---

Marko Arnautovic's future at West Ham United appears to be a story that will go on for a while. West Ham set to receive new offer for Marko Arnuatovic imminently West Ham are insistent
West Ham reject £35m Marko Arnautovic bid from Chinese Super

---

Manchester United target Alex Sandro signs new Juventus deal until 2023 Alex Sandro was a long-term target of ex-Man United boss Jose Mourinho The 27-year-old has been a regular for Juventus since
Chelsea target Alex Sandro signs long-term Juventus contract

---

Gareth Southgate's England take to Wembley today to host Nigeria, with both teams desperate to get a win under their belt in the build up to the Russia World Cup. Follow all the action live here.
Footie Quiz Blog - The Number 1 Football Quiz Website

---

Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal reportedly considering move for AC Milan forward Suso who has £33million release clause The 25-year-old left Liverpool in 2015 to sign for the Serie A club By
Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal reportedly considering move

---

Two of Liverpool's senior players this season are to be given contract extensions after the Champions League final: James Milner and Joel Matip. The Reds have a huge task ahead of them in Madrid this weekend, with the squad aiming to end an excellent season with the biggest piece of silverware of all.
Liverpool stars James Milner, 33, and Joel Matip to get new

---

Paris Saint-Germain have injury worries over Kylian Mbappe and Neymar ahead of their Champions League match against Liverpool next week. Both players limped off playing for their countries eight
Paris Saint-Germain release statement on Neymar and Kylian

---

Pep Guardiola reveals why he feared Newcastle United had cost Man City the Premier League title. Newcastle United produced a stunning comeback to defeat Manchester City at St James' Park last week
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists Premier League

---

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful the Red Devils will keep hold of midfielder Ander Herrera amid speculation Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the Spaniard. "We want
Ander Herrera backs Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 'tough job' at

---

Tottenham news: Spurs must look to kill off Manchester City

---

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appears to say 'f***** hell, what a s*** game' to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at full-time Written by: fpnews Posted on: February 25, 2019 Jurgen Klopp appeared to have an expletive message for Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appears to say 'f****** hell

---

Chelsea are continuing to stall on Monaco's loan deal for Michy Batshuayi in the hope Everton make a permanent move for the Belgian striker - but any deal looks unlikely at present. Batshuayi has cut his season-long loan spell at Valencia short after a difficult six months in La Liga.
Everton transfer news: Toffees keen on permanent deal for

---