Chelsea 3-0 Malmo (5-1): Callum- Hodson Odoi Scores brilliant goal
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a marvellous second-half goal as Chelsea cruised into the Europa League last 16 with victory over Malmo at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, who led 2-1 from the first leg, started slowly but improved markedly after the break.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the third goal of the match
Olivier Giroud gave them the lead on the night by tapping home, before Ross Barkley floated in a free-kick moments after Rasmus Bengtsson was sent off.
Hudson-Odoi, 18, then drove in from the right before firing in a late third.
Whether this result will ease the pressure on Blues manager Maurizio Sarri remains to be seen.
Their next two matches – against Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, and Tottenham in the Premier League next week – will be bigger tests.
Malmo error turning point for Blues
Given the quality of their performance, the scoreline perhaps flatters Chelsea; until the first goal it seemed as though their ‘Sarri-ball’ tactics – possession-based and methodical – would again be let down by a lack of end product.
Olivier Giroud gave chelsea the lead
Malmo had defended well. Their high line put the Blues defence and Mateo Kovacic – filling in for Jorginho in the deep playmaker position – under severe pressure early in the first half.
Sarri’s Blues then did what they have done so often this season – dominate possession – but visiting keeper Johan Dahlin did not have to extend himself before half-time.
But errors began to creep into Malmo’s performance after the break – and the first resulted in Chelsea’s opening goal. N’Golo Kante pounced on Lasse Nielsen’s loose header, drove towards the area and spread the ball wide to Willian. The Brazilian picked out Giroud in the six-yard area and he slotted home his sixth goal in Chelsea’s past five Europa League games.
The Blues doubled their lead seconds after Bengtsson was shown a second yellow for a foul on Emerson. Barkley, who also scored in the first leg, stepped up and delivered a pinpoint finish which left Dahlin rooted to the spot.
And with six minutes remaining, Hudson-Odoi collected an excellent crossfield pass from Willian, drove into the box and fired a low, angled shot beyond the Malmo keeper.
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