Chelsea vs Slavia: Marcos Alonso’s late winner sees Blues take one step towards semi-final
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Your support makes all the difference.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 2-0 Napoli
72 minutes
What a chance! Insigne again finds space in behind Monreal and picks out Zielinski in the middle with an inch-perfect cross. The Polish midfielder only has to direct the ball into an empty net, with Cech beaten, but he guides the ball over the bar. The Napoli fans behind the goal turn away in exasperation.
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli
75 minutes
Brilliant work from Ramsey, who wins the ball again in midfield and links up nicely with Iwobi. Kolasinac makes a run down the left and Ramsey flicks the ball into his path. The full back's shot is powerful, but not accurate, slamming against a Napoli player.
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli
77 minutes
Arsenal make their final change: Torreira is off for Elneny.
Slavia Prague 0-0 Chelsea
79 minutes
Chelsea have the ball in the net, but it won't count. Jorginho finishes well after good work by Giroud. Unfortunately, he's a few yards offside.
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli
80 minutes
Arsenal appear to be happy with a 2-0 win as we enter the final ten minutes. They're keeping Napoli at arm's length, although the Italians have improved in the second half and look far more threatening now.
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli
81 minutes
Another big miss! This time it's Ramsey, who really should have his second of the night. It's almost an exact replica of Insigne's earlier miss. Mkhitaryan sweeps the ball into the box from the byline and the Welshman is waiting unmarked. He can't keep his shot down, though, instead blazing into the stand behind the goal.
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli
83 minutes
Ounas replaces Insigne for Napoli.
GOAL! Slavia Prague 0-1 Chelsea (Alonso)
86 minutes
A late goal for Chelsea, and that could be hugely significant! Slavia appeared to be ending the game the stronger of the two sides, but it's the Blues who strike. Willian has time and space to cross on the right and he picks out the run of Alonso, forward from the left. The full back nods into the corner and puts Chelsea in control of the tie.
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli
85 minutes
Ounas has a go from distance minutes after coming on and brings a low save from Cech. It was a routine save in truth for the veteran goalkeeper.
Arsenal 2-0 Napoli
87 minutes
Napoli have had certainly had enough chances to grab an away goal in the second half. Koulibaly sends a long ball over the top of Monreal and Ounas races onto it. His ball across is punched clear by Cech before Milik can get a head to it.
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