Malmo 1-2 Chelsea: Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud give Blues command of Europa League knockout clash

Malmo 1-2 Chelsea: Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud give Blues command of Europa League knockout clash
Chelsea took control of their Europa League last-32 clash with a 2-1 victory over Malmo in Sweden.Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud struck either side of half-time to give the Blues two crucial away goals ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.3

Chelsea responded to the City thrashing

However, with the visitors searching for a third, Malmo decided to make things interesting and halved the deficit through Anders Christiansen.Maurizio Sarri’s men ought to have taken more than a one-goal lead back to London, with several guilt-edged chances wasted, but the manager will be pleased with his team’s convincing display following the 6-0 battering at Manchester City on Sunday.The Blues took the lead in straightforward style as Malmo’s defence erred when Pedro crossed. The ball reached Barkley 10 yards out and the midfielder dug the ball out from under his feet and prodded in.Barkley’s first European goal was also Chelsea’s first away goal of 2019, after four matches without one.Malmo did cause Chelsea problems, particularly from set-pieces, but Kepa Arrizabalaga’s first save saw Soren Rieks denied early in the second half.3

It was a much-needed away win for Sarri

Chelsea struck a second when Willian darted down the left and crossed for Giroud to flick in at the near post after 58 minutes.It was the France World Cup-winning striker’s first goal since his strike at Vidi in Budapest in mid-December, albeit just two of his 10 appearances in the intervening period had been starts.Barkley was denied by Malmo goalkeeper Johan Dahlin and a Pedro effort deflected wide before Hazard was introduced, followed by Kante.3

The Blues are in control of the tie

But it was Malmo who scored, as David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta were pulled out of position and Markus Rosenberg threaded a fine pass to Christiansen.The midfielder held off Mateo Kovacic and finished expertly to add to Sarri’s anxieties.Two Malmo fans encroached on to the pitch at the full-time whistle and one hugged Hazard, releasing his grip only when he was given the Chelsea ace’s shirt. That is another incident which will attract UEFA scrutiny.

---

As Nantes reportedly demand Cardiff City pay the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala, a body has been successfully recovered from the wreckage of the plane which crashed while carrying the footballer.
Emiliano Sala missing: Nantes demand payment of transfer fee

---

Graeme Souness believes Tottenham have been lucky to reach the Champions League final and do not deserve to be there. Spurs and Liverpool face off in the Madrid showpiece on Saturday evening - a
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Graeme Souness says 'lucky' Spurs

---

Brilliant Hazard gives Chelsea victory over West Ham Hazard wizardry leads Chelsea into third after win over West Ham (video) How Chelsea's win over West Ham affects Premier League top four race Jamie Carragher reacts to Eden Hazard's wonder goal in Chelsea FC's 2-0 win over West Ham Hazard hammers in the final nail with his and Chelsea's

---

Arsenal boss, Unai Emery was in a reasonably relaxed mood despite seeing his side lose at Everton yesterday. The Gunners missed the opportunity to rise to third after going down to a 1-0 defeat
Arsenal fans call for Unai Emery to be sacked after Europa

---

Watford came back from a goal down to win on Saturday afternoon, as they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park. The Eagles took the lead before half time, as a messy goal line scramble saw the ball bundled in off a clueless Craig Cathcart to give the home side the lead.
Watford v Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-finals - Live

---

---

- Manchester United have lost more Premier League games (18) and conceded more Premier League goals (71) against Chelsea than they have against any other team. - The last time that Manchester United played Chelsea at home on the opening matchday of a league season was in 1958-59. United won 5-2 with Bobby Charlton scoring a hat-trick.
Premier League Boxing Day Fixtures - thesportsman.com

---

Brexit: Premier League reject Football Association plans to

---

Spurs opinion: Aaron Wan-Bissaka would make a great signing for Mauricio Pochettino's Crystal Palace have had another decent season where they are more or less guaranteed safety under Roy Hodgson. The Eagles came up with an impressive 1-0 win over Newcastle United at St. James' Park and had Wilfried Zaha to thank for winning an […]
Wan-Bissaka, Ndombele, Kane - How Spurs could start next

---

Former West Ham winger Matt Jarvis signs for Walsall on loan from Norwich City The 32-year-old, who has one England cap, has joined the League One club for the remainder of the season By talkSPORT
Matt Jarvis: Walsall sign Norwich winger on loan - BBC Sport

---

Follow all the reaction to Manchester United's appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Jose Mourinho's replacement Solskjaer's first Man Utd press conference LIVE: All the latest as interim boss

---

Crystal Palace's club doctor has said he and his family were racially abused by a young child near Selhurst Park ahead of the match against Bournemouth. Dr Zafar Iqbal tweeted that he had been

---

Ahead of today's tumultuous derby former Manchester City defender Richard Dunne has revealed his admiration for the Blues' centre-back pairing of Aymeric Laporte and John Stones, insisting the duo could become the 'most successful' partnership for decades. Speaking exclusively the 888sport
Premier League - talkSPORT - feeds.feedburner.com

---