When the decisive moments arrived on an evening of uncommon fortune for Graham Potter, Raheem Sterling fooling Borussia Dortmund with an air shot, Kai Havertz overcomplicating a penalty, possibly it used to be inevitable that Chelsea had now not taken the simple path to objective.
Yet it used to be by no means going to be easy with this workforce. Goalscoring has been a subject matter for Chelsea all season and it had gave the impression their wasteful completing would undermine them once more. That they have been higher than Dortmund used to be now not doubtful. But the query used to be whether or not Chelsea may make their superiority rely and, because the misses piled up, it used to be arduous now not to wonder whether it will be the standard tale.
For as soon as, despite the fact that, Potter used to be a fortunate supervisor. And deservedly so. Five days in the past Potter gave the impression to be at the breaking point. Now Chelsea’s house owners will really feel they have been proper to face by means of their guy. Potter has relied on in his training skill and Chelsea, who bossed Dortmund right through, will really feel anything else is conceivable after attaining the Champions League quarter-finals because of objectives from Havertz and Sterling.
The lengthen to kick-off, brought about by means of Dortmund getting caught in site visitors, had no have an effect on on Chelsea. They have been immediately into their tackles, Kalidou Koulibaly dispossessing Jude Bellingham, and made certain to feed off the gang’s power.
It used to be by no means going to be a quiet night. In reality it used to be an instance when the fanatics had to stick with Potter and the early indicators have been certain: Chelsea alert and intense, the tempo blistering, the most efficient factor about Dortmund apparently the yellow smoke billowing from the away finish.
The guests didn’t resemble an aspect on a 10-match profitable streak. Dortmund have been chilly, Julian Brandt limping off to make method for Gio Reyna after 5 mins, and their most sensible line would quickly come beneath quick drive from Sterling.
But there aren’t any promises with Chelsea. João Félix used to be unlucky when Alexander Meyer, beginning in objective as a result of Gregor Kobel used to be best have compatibility sufficient for a spot at the bench, denied him after a weaving run. Yet Havertz used to be an issue for Chelsea, who wanted the German to be extra medical with two respectable possibilities.
The loss of a step forward unnerved Chelsea. Dortmund attempted to gradual the pace, Emre Can shedding again to toughen Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle in central defence, and threatened in flashes. Marco Reus’s free-kick drew a positive save from Kepa Arrizabalaga. Reyna brought about a couple of issues.
But Sébastien Haller used to be remoted in opposition to Chelsea’s again 3. Potter had picked the correct workforce. Reece James used to be again at proper wing-back and, with Thiago Silva injured and Benoît Badiashile ineligible, the gamble on Marc Cucurella at left centre-back used to be having a look impressed.
Cucurella had now not been concerned because the first leg and he isn’t well-liked by supporters. Yet the £62m Spaniard used to be giving not anything away and neither have been Chelsea. Süle’s reserving for timewasting spoke volumes. Dortmund have been creaking they usually cracked when the phenomenal Mateo Kovacic received a unfastened ball and charged down the left two mins ahead of the period.
Ben Chilwell used to be able when Kovacic ran out of room. The left wing-back drilled a low pass and there used to be Sterling, able to provide a comical miskick. Dortmund appeared at a loss for words. But it used to be antique Sterling: unnecessary and good unexpectedly. He attempted once more, scampering directly to his left foot, and this time he crashed a shot into the roof of the web. Billy Reid, Potter’s No 2, became and bellowed into the west London sky.
Dortmund’s 1-0 lead had at all times felt shaky. Now the momentum used to be with Chelsea, despite the fact that they wanted Chilwell to identify the chance when Reus virtually launched Raphaël Guerreiro. The want used to be faultless, James pumping his teammates up, and Chelsea would make a quick begin to the second one part.
Pressing drew mistakes within the Dortmund defence. Sterling became and located Chilwell, whose pass clipped Marius Wolf’s left hand. It used to be at all times going to be a penalty as soon as the referee, Danny Makkelie, had long past to the observe for a better appearance.
Naturally Chelsea nonetheless made it difficult. They had now not scored greater than as soon as in a sport since 27 December and had put Havertz – two objectives since Christmas – on consequences following Jorginho’s transfer to Arsenal.
It used to be now not a wonder when Havertz took a stop-start run-up ahead of sending Meyer the incorrect method and the ball in opposition to the put up. Yet play didn’t resume. Makkelie used to be receiving additional steering from the VAR. Encroachment. Three Chelsea gamers had long past too early but it surely made no distinction. The penalty needed to be taken and Havertz went thru his regimen once more, this time ensuring to stay the ball within the put up.
Behind on mixture for the primary time, Dortmund stirred. Bellingham sidefooted large. Wolf examined Arrizabalaga. Chelsea’s new-look again 3 of Wesley Fofana, Koulibaly and Cucurella fell again. Yet Chelsea hung on all over six added mins.