SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 10 hrs 58 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
CL
Champions League | Round of 16
Mar 17, 2021 at 8pm UK
Stamford Bridge
AM

Chelsea
2 - 0
Atletico

Ziyech (34'), Palmieri (90+4')
Havertz (30')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Lodi (31'), Niguez (51'), Gimenez (60'), Koke (72')
Savic (82')

Chelsea 2-0 Atletico Madrid: Blues advance to Champions League quarter-finals

:Headline: Chelsea 2-0 Atletico Madrid: Blues advance to Champions League quarter-finals:
Hakim Ziyech and Emerson Palmieri struck for the Blues.
Sports Mole

Hakim Ziyech's sublime counter-attack finish helped steer Chelsea past Atletico Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and into a first Champions League quarter-final in seven years.

Timo Werner and Kai Havertz combined to create Ziyech's goal of graft and guile as Chelsea sunk 10-man Atletico 2-0 in the last-16 second leg in west London, and 3-0 on aggregate.

Emerson Palmieri drilled home late on to gloss the score and seal a fine victory, after Diego Simeone's Atletico had seen Stefan Savic sent off late on for elbowing Toni Rudiger.

Ziyech's first goal in 20 Chelsea appearances proved enough to settle an absorbing contest, where N'Golo Kante and Rudiger excelled for the hosts.

Boss Thomas Tuchel has required just 51 days at the Stamford Bridge helm to qualify for the Champions League quarters – a feat that had last been achieved by the Blues in 2014.

Former Paris St Germain manager Tuchel has pulled off quite the extended Chelsea honeymoon period, trading the muddled for the resolute, and overseeing 13 matches without defeat.

The Blues' last five Champions League campaigns petered out at the last-16 stage, but Tuchel's blueprint and his man management has paid immediate dividend.

Kante's transformation encapsulates Chelsea's revitalisation under Tuchel. Frank Lampard had been determined to deploy Kante in an inside-right role, unfamiliar to France's World Cup-winning defensive midfield linchpin.

That alteration failed to suit either Lampard's tactical approach, or Kante's strengths.

No sooner had Tuchel arrived however, than Kante was restored to his game-breaking role at the base of midfield, that so underscored Premier League title triumphs for both Leicester and Chelsea.

And here, when Chelsea needed his magnetic midfield qualities most, Kante delivered a vintage display.

Chelsea's 11th clean sheet in those 13 games under Tuchel provided the foundation for another landmark result, with the Blues coping manfully without the suspended Mason Mount and Jorginho, and injured duo Thiago Silva and Tammy Abraham.

Joao Felix ghosted briefly away from Kante and into the Chelsea box to open the night. But as the Portugal forward looked to pull the trigger, up popped Kante with a piece of trademark blindside pilfering, to lift the ball off his toe and quell the danger.

Werner worked himself free for a shot in the Atletico area, but his effort deflected wide off Ziyech's foot, with the ex-Ajax player unable to jump clear.

Rudiger barged Luis Suarez just outside the Chelsea area but got away without censure.

And then captain Cesar Azpilicueta enjoyed the reprieve of the half, the defender lucky not to concede a penalty.

Azpilicueta's under-hit backpass allowed Yannick Carrasco to sneak onto the ball and in on goal, and the Blues skipper promptly wrapped his arm and hand around the Atletico player's torso.

The winger threw himself to the ground in theatrical style, but despite the extra accent there was still enough contact to interest plenty of referees.

Neither the man in the middle nor the Video Assistant Referee felt the need for a penalty however, and Chelsea were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Chelsea quickly put that fortune to good use, Werner and Havertz combining well to tee up Ziyech's goal.

Werner hustled wide to deflect Kieran Trippier's cross into Havertz's path, jumping to his feet to race down the inside left.

Havertz found Werner haring clear, and the former RB Leipzig forward kept his cool to roll a smart ball to the far post.

Ziyech had tiptoed into a fine position in the box and promptly swept the ball home to cap a stunning break.

Chelsea opened the second half brightly, and Ziyech drew a fine save from Jan Oblak with a curling 18-yard effort.

Felix saw a rasping shot deflected wide as Atletico chased the game in increasingly fraught fashion.

And then the visitors had Savic sent off for elbowing Rudiger, with the defender storming off in disgust at the decision.

When Chelsea raced clear at the death, Christian Pulisic fed Emerson and the full-back did the rest with a smart finish, to cap a big night for Tuchel and Chelsea.

body check tags ::

amp_article__439623 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-17 22:19:42:
html db last update - 2021-03-17 22:18:40 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Chelsea vs. Atletico Madrid
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

1

MC

Arsenal 'suffer blow in pursuit of PSG attacker'

2

A'

Friday's Transfer Talk Update: Maguire, Nwaneri, Elliott

3

FT

Man Utd could raise £105m through player sales this summer

4

MU

Mainoo, Rashford, Palmer handed boost in Euro 2024 hopes?

5

MR

Pochettino calls for "calm" over Sterling situation at Chelsea

6

PC

Preview: Brentford vs. Man Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PB

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

8

A'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PB

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

10

MC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .