Chelsea FC vs Dynamo Kyiv Report: Chelsea FC Match Report
Chelsea beat Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. The Blues began this encounter with massive confidence and right from the off, they always looked like they were going to score the opening goal.
With the pace of Pedro and Willian on either flank and the brilliant hold-up play by Olivier Giroud, they were able to push the Kyiv defence to the limit straight from the opening knockings of the game.
Chelsea’s dominance in the midfield was becoming clear as Ross Barkley and Matteo Kovacic seemed to be at the heart of anything positive that this Chelsea side pulled off and it took them just 17 minutes to open the scoring.
Barkley worked the ball well in the midfield before spreading out to the left flank to Pedro. The Spaniard drove into the box and played a smart one-two with Giroud. The Frenchman’s expert nutmeg backheel found Pedro, who smashed it through the legs of Denys Boyko.
Chelsea created multiple chances after this and were looking dangerous every time the ball entered the Dynamo third. With some excellent passing from David Luiz, there were some sharp runs being made by the Chelsea forwards.
Pedro should’ve doubled the Blues’ lead on more than one occasion and he was played clean through by Jorginho but his volley was saved by Boyko. A Davide Zappacosta cross too fell perfectly for Pedro but he hit it at the one spot where the keeper could catch it.
With the start of the second half, it was clear that Chelsea’s intentions involved more goals and their push began right at the start of the period. They later replaced Barkley with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho with Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
It was finally in the 65th minute that Chelsea got the second goal of the night and it was quite a peach. A Willian free-kick from over 25 yards out left the Kyiv goalkeeper rooted to spot as he watched the ball go over the wall and then under the bar.
Soon after this, Kyiv began to push for an away goal that could have changed the complexion of this Europa League tie but it wasn’t to be forthcoming but what did happen instead was a third Chelsea goal from substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi.
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There was a quick counter-attack from Chelsea as Kyiv pushed up front and that saw Loftus-Cheek rushing towards goal. He moved the ball further to Hudson-Odoi who was composed enough to slot the ball past the helpless keeper to effectively put the tie out of Kyiv’s reach.
Here’s how some satisfied Chelsea fans reacted to this emphatic victory:
#Willian‘s love for the club can’t be criticized at all. Guy always points to the badge, always appreciates the fans, you can see his happiness and relief every time he scores/assists and most importantly he annoys that useless chicken club.
— Jishnu Srivastava (@JishnuSri8) March 7, 2019
He loves this club man. #CFC #UEL
Well deserved win! CHO deserves playing time! Brilliant free kick as well!!
— Aaleeyah (@Misluckybutcrzy) March 7, 2019
Thoughts on the game:
— Khai (@SpectreGoal) March 7, 2019
CHO & RLC SHOULD BE STARTING EVERY GAME.
Give this man @Calteck10 long term contract and starting XI next match pleasee
— Mr.Febri (@febri_cenator) March 7, 2019
A great night for Chelsea, made even better with the clean sheet. Of course, things did start to look a little shaky near the end.
— tpitch5 (@tpitch51) March 7, 2019
Full-Time Thoughts:
— ForeverBlue⁸⁴ 🏴🇮🇹 (@sazio1984) March 7, 2019
– Good win/performance, job done.
– Quarter-Finals here we come. Dynamo Kiev are bang average.
– Just a shame we didn’t 4/5/6-0 even as we had the chances to do so.
– Delighted for RLC/CHO in their cameos – of course, we want starts for both. Hopefully SOON.
Wiilian has scored 11 direct fee kicks since he came to England in 2013. Only Ronaldo (19) and Messi (24) has more.
— Ole Gunnar Solskjær ⓭ (@OleGunaar) March 7, 2019
Respect him!
3 wins in a row, no more crisis, CHO And RLC clinics, EUROPA LEAGUE IS COMING BACK TO THE BRIDGE. GOOD NIGHT.
— – (@ClinicalTorress) March 7, 2019