Chelsea vs Slavia: Marcos Alonso’s late winner sees Blues take one step towards semi-final
Relive all the action live the Sinobo Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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.
Please allow a moment for updates to load
Chelsea, meanwhile, are unfamiliar with tonight's opposition. This is the first competitive game between the two sides, although the Czech team's record against English clubs does not bode well.
Elsewhere
There are two other quarter-finals tonight: Benfica, top of the Primeira Liga in Portugal, host Frankfurt. And there's an all Spanish tie as Villarreal play Valencia at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
The teams are out at the Emirates. Kick off is just a couple of minutes away now...
Arsenal get us underway! Chelsea have kicked off in Prague too.
Arsenal 0-0 Napoli
3 minutes
The home side are very much on top in the early stages, dominating possession and territory. Maitland-Niles bursts down the right and whips a cross into the middle. It evades everyone and gets put behind for a corner, which Napoli deal with.
Slavia Prague 0-0 Chelsea
5 minutes
Chelsea have been forced into some early defending. The home side are looking to start quickly and get their noses in front before the visitors are able to settle.
Arsenal 0-0 Napoli
7 minutes
Arsenal are penning Napoli in their own half at the moment. They force another corner, which is fired in dangerously by Torreira. It misses every red shirt in the box, though, and the referee awards Napoli a free kick.
Arsenal 0-0 Napoli
8 minutes
A first real chance of the game for Arsenal, who break down the left through Kolasinac. The full back pulls the ball across the box for Ramsey, whose left-footed shot is expertly blocked by Koulibaly. Napoli's centre back picks himself up in time to block another shot, this time from Maitland-Niles, before the away side hook the ball clear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments