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Pedro gives Chelsea precious away goal at Frankfurt

Agencies By Agencies Published on: May 03, 2019 01:30 (EAT)
Pedro gives Chelsea precious away goal at Frankfurt

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Pedro scored a vital away goal for Chelsea in their Europa League semi-final first leg 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.

There was a raucous atmosphere ahead of kick-off and the home fans were rewarded when Luka Jovic headed home in the 23rd minute.

But Chelsea soon found their rhythm and Pedro made it count with the equaliser – and an away goal – as he fired home on the stroke of half-time.

Chelsea should have added another in the second half, with David Luiz hitting the crossbar with a free-kick, but the tie remains finely-poised for next Thursday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Frankfurt were the better side in the opening exchanges and captain David Abraham could have put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute after Fliip Kostic’s free kick was flicked on into his path, but he lifted his shot over the crossbar.

Two minutes later though, Frankfurt had their opener. Some poor control from Chelsea in midfield allowed the hosts to set Kostic away down the left-hand side. He then fired in a cross and Jovic – who had got in between two Chelsea defenders – guided it home with a low header for his 26th goal of the season.

This seemed to jolt Chelsea and they went close not long after as Pedro fired a volley towards goal, which just whistled past the post, before Ruben Loftus-Cheek darted across the top of the box before shooting wide.

The two were involved again on the stroke of half time as Chelsea nabbed their equaliser. After Willian’s initial corner had been cleared, Loftus-Cheek received the ball on the left of the area but with nowhere to go, he played the ball back to Pedro.

Despite a number of players closing in, the Spaniard showed great feet and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Chelsea continued on the front foot for the second half and twice went close before the hour mark. After a superb, driving run and a one-two with Pedro, Loftus-Cheek lifted a shot just over the crossbar before a David Luiz free kick rattled the upright.

He managed to lift the ball over the wall but the fingertips of Kevin Trapp sent the effort clattering onto the bar.

Eden Hazard was introduced not long after and was involved in two fine Chelsea chances around the 75-minute mark. Loftus-Cheek shot straight at Trapp, who pushed it away, and Hazard was only able to blaze the rebound over.

He then whipped a superb free kick into the area, but Luiz also sent his bullet header into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Despite looking tired for much of the second half, Frankfurt rallied in the final ten minutes and twice could have nabbed the winner.

Another wonderful cross from Danny da Costa just missed the run of Goncalo Paciencia before Abraham headed over the crossbar when unmarked, six yards out.

-Report by skysports 

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Chelsea FC UEFA Europa League Pedro Eintracht Frankfurt Luca Jovic

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