Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Chelsea: Pedro grabs crucial away goal in Europa League semi-final

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Chelsea: Pedro grabs crucial away goal in Europa League semi-final
Pedro ensured Chelsea take an away goal back to Stamford Bridge as the Blues drew 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.The Spaniard cancelled out Luka Jovic’s superb header with a fantastic left-footed strike on the stroke of half-time.2

Pedro equalised for the Blues

Chelsea, who started without talisman Eden Hazard, were blown away by the hosts in the opening 30 minutes but dominated for the rest of the game.And while Maurizio Sarri will undoubtedly take the score draw, he will rue several missed opportunities in the second-half.Frankfurt, who remain unbeaten in the Europa League at home and also spurned several glorious chances, will travel to London next week and must score if they want to reach the final in Baku. Chelsea failed to heed the warning signs and leaked a poor goal in the 23rd minute to compound their poor start.Filip Kostic cantered down the left after Giroud ceded possession cheaply, before whipping in a neat cross.A stooping Jovic flicked the ball to the far corner, but failed to add power to his effort. So when the ball bounced past Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the net, Chelsea looked stunned.Andreas Christensen’s nervy night continued unabated when he upended Mijat Gacinovic as the pair tangled battling for a header.2

Jovic celebrates his opener

Referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande opted not even to award a foul however, in a huge reprieve for both Chelsea and their Denmark defender.And just when the Blues feared being thwarted in the first half, Loftus-Cheek teed up Pedro and the Spaniard blasted home.Jorginho returned to action after a nasty-looking clash of heads with Rode, pressing on after being bandaged up.Loftus-Cheek fired over from a gilt-edged opening after exchanging passes with Pedro on a fine Chelsea break, before David Luiz saw a whipped free-kick tipped to safety via the bar from home goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

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Chelsea raised the tempo again, Hazard stepping into the fray and Loftus-Cheek continuing to boss the game.Luiz flicked Hazard’s free-kick goalwards, only for Trapp to pull off a smart save.Eintracht remained dangerous on the counter though, and Chelsea even avoided censure despite strong home claims for a Giroud handball following a corner.Abraham headed over from a corner at point-blank range, and then Makoto Hasebe was hounded out by N’Golo Kante after Chelsea lost possession just outside their own box as the Premier League side came away from Germany with a draw.

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