Malmo 1-2 Chelsea: Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud give Blues command of Europa League knockout clash

Malmo 1-2 Chelsea: Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud give Blues command of Europa League knockout clash
Chelsea took control of their Europa League last-32 clash with a 2-1 victory over Malmo in Sweden.Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud struck either side of half-time to give the Blues two crucial away goals ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.3

Chelsea responded to the City thrashing

However, with the visitors searching for a third, Malmo decided to make things interesting and halved the deficit through Anders Christiansen.Maurizio Sarri’s men ought to have taken more than a one-goal lead back to London, with several guilt-edged chances wasted, but the manager will be pleased with his team’s convincing display following the 6-0 battering at Manchester City on Sunday.The Blues took the lead in straightforward style as Malmo’s defence erred when Pedro crossed. The ball reached Barkley 10 yards out and the midfielder dug the ball out from under his feet and prodded in.Barkley’s first European goal was also Chelsea’s first away goal of 2019, after four matches without one.Malmo did cause Chelsea problems, particularly from set-pieces, but Kepa Arrizabalaga’s first save saw Soren Rieks denied early in the second half.3

It was a much-needed away win for Sarri

Chelsea struck a second when Willian darted down the left and crossed for Giroud to flick in at the near post after 58 minutes.It was the France World Cup-winning striker’s first goal since his strike at Vidi in Budapest in mid-December, albeit just two of his 10 appearances in the intervening period had been starts.Barkley was denied by Malmo goalkeeper Johan Dahlin and a Pedro effort deflected wide before Hazard was introduced, followed by Kante.3

The Blues are in control of the tie

But it was Malmo who scored, as David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta were pulled out of position and Markus Rosenberg threaded a fine pass to Christiansen.The midfielder held off Mateo Kovacic and finished expertly to add to Sarri’s anxieties.Two Malmo fans encroached on to the pitch at the full-time whistle and one hugged Hazard, releasing his grip only when he was given the Chelsea ace’s shirt. That is another incident which will attract UEFA scrutiny.

---

Frank Lampard was left stunned by Marcelo Bielsa's Spygate presentation, feeling it was disrespectful of the Leeds manager to discuss his Derby tactics in public. Lampard watched footage of Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa - Wikipedia

---

3 ways Newcastle can make Salomon Rondon's permanent transfer to United from West Brom a reality. Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez wants the Magpies to bring Salomon Rondon to Tyneside from
Age is just a number, Newcastle must sign Salomon Rondon

---

14/16 Paulo Dybala | Juventus. Goals: 5. while coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed Douglas Costa (thigh) is not 100 per cent fit. Dybala lines up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico

---

Rangers chairman Dave King insists he has "no intention" of reversing the decision to slash Celtic's ticket allocation at Ibrox.. Rangers have handed their Old Firm rivals just 800 seats for the
Dave King - talkSPORT

---

Chelsea fans are stuck at Luton Airport with lengthy flight delays halting their travel to Baku for the Europa League final.. Thomas Cook Sport offered return economy flights for the 2,468-mile trip to Baku at a price of £979 earlier this month and that does not include the match ticket.
Chelsea fans stranded at Luton Airport with lengthy flight

---

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane says he is "fit to play" in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool after returning to fitness following an ankle injury. The 25-year-old has
Mauricio Pochettino hints Tottenham striker could start

---

Maurizio Sarri: 'Callum Hudson-Odoi is ready. He can play, sometimes he will be on the bench, but now I can consider him the same level as Pedro and Willian." (twitter.com) submitted 4 months ago by dumifordays. 159 comments; share; save
Maurizio Sarri urges Callum Hudson-Odoi to be 'one of the

---

Sadio Mane drops major hint over Liverpool future amid Real Madrid transfer interest. The Liverpool star is enjoying a stunning season and that has led to interest from Zinedine Zidane and Real
Sadio Mane: Liverpool star responds to Real Madrid

---

Gonzalo Higuain appears to be bound for the Premier League and Chelsea, but the Argentine is far from the first striker to go on loan in the English top-flight. We look at the good and the bad.
Gonzalo Higuain flops on PL debut as Chelsea fans boo Sarri

---

Bafetimbi Gomis Scares Ball Boy with Lion Celebration, Gives Him Shirt to Apologise Bafetimbi Gomis is enjoying a fine scoring run in the Saudi Arabian league, having already banged 17 goals in 24
WATCH: Bafetimbi Gomis scares away ball-boy with his iconic

---

Feb 26, 2019 · The Championship has entered the home stretch of the season, with around a dozen or so matches left in the race to earn promotion to the Premier League. As it stands, the automatic places of first
Lower League Roundup: Stoke City, Swansea, MK Dons, and

---

Transfer deadline day: 10 players who could still be on the move may miss out if United prefer not to sell to a Premier League rival. Aaron Ramsey to Chelsea or Liverpool.
Manchester United 'agree' £86m huge striker deal as Liverpool

---

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted his players can do no more in their bid to end a 29-year wait for another league title after seeing them scrap their way to victory at Newcastle.. The Reds
Liverpool 'ambitious' for Premier League title, says Klopp

---

Broken promises from Liverpool is what Ryan Babel blames for his first spell in England. The 32-year-old has joined Fulham from Besiktas on a short-term contract until the end of the season and said he has "unfinished business" in the Premier League.
Ryan Babel reveals the reasons he failed at Liverpool - and

---