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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Slavia: Marcos Alonso’s late winner sees Blues take one step towards semi-final

Relive all the action live the Sinobo Stadium

Callum Rice-Coates
Thursday 11 April 2019 15:08 EDT
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Maurizio Sarri hopes Eden Hazard stays at Chelsea

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Marcos Alonso's late header dragged a lacklustre Chelsea to a 1-0 Europa League win at Slavia Prague.

The Spain full-back ghosted clear in the box to nod home Willian's teasing far-post cross, to hand the Blues the slender advantage midway through their quarter-final.

Chelsea came very close drawing their last-eight first leg tie at the Sinobo Stadium, the Blues struggling for fluency throughout a niggly night in Prague.

Replacement Ruben Loftus-Cheek's smart spin and break turned Slavia's defence at the death however, before Willian served up the perfect cross.

Alonso's third goal of the season and second in the Europa League proved just enough for Chelsea then, but the Stamford Bridge men will hardly be happy with their performance.

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Arsenal 0-0 Napoli

12 minutes

A wasted opportunity on the break for Napoli as Zielinski breaks down the left and looks to pick Insigne in space in the middle. The ball in is poor, though, and it's cleared for a corner. Koulibaly rises highest from the set piece and heads over the bar.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:14

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Napoli (Ramsey)

14 minutes

A superb, flowing move from Arsenal ends in the opening goal! Ozil and Ramsey link up in the middle, before the ball is played out to Lacazette on the right. He picks out Maitland-Niles, who nudges it onto Ramsey. And the Welshman makes no mistake in front of goal, slotting into the bottom corner.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:15

Slavia Prague 0-0 Chelsea

17 minutes

It's been a quiet start for Chelsea in Prague. The home side have looked the more likely to open the scoring in the early stages, with Miroslav Stoch looking lively in attack.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:19

Arsenal 1-0 Napoli

21 minutes

Napoli have seen more of the ball since going behind, but they're doing very little to trouble Arsenal's defence. The Gunners, meanwhile, look dangerous whenever they venture forward.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:22

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Napoli (Torreira)

25 minutes

Arsenal get a big slice of luck, but they won't care! They press high as Napoli look to play out from defence and Torreira wins the ball. He cuts onto his left foot and hits a shot from the edge of the box. Koulibaly is in the way, but unfortunately for the defender, it hits his knee and deflects into the net past a helpless Alex Meret. 

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:25

Arsenal 2-0 Napoli

27 minutes

Napoli are rattled here. They look vulnerable every time Arsenal run at them in the final third and haven't really threatened at the other end. Ancelotti needs to steady the ship before half time.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:29

Slavia Prague 0-0 Chelsea

26 minutes

Chelsea go close as Willian, set up by Pedro, rifles a shot against the crossbar from the edge of the box. They're growing into the game after a slow start.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:31

Arsenal 2-0 Napoli

31 minutes

Mertens, who's been almost anonymous so far tonight, scurries forward down the left and sends a hopeful ball towards the middle. It's deflected out for a corner, which Arsenal deal with easily. 

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:32

Arsenal 2-0 Napoli

32 minutes

Arsenal's second is likely to go down as an own goal: Torreira's shot was heading wide before it hit Koulibaly.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:33

Arsenal 2-0 Napoli

33 minutes

Aubameyang bursts forward down the left and makes his way into the box. He's almost unchallenged, given far too much space, and he picks out his attacking partner Lacazette. The Frenchman has time to line up a shot but swings and misses with his left foot. More unconvincing defending from the visitors.

Callum Rice-Coates11 April 2019 20:35

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