MX23RW : Friday, November 8 09:14:44| >> :60:4:4:
[monks data]
PAOK
Europa League | Group Stage
Sep 20, 2018 at 5.55pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Willian (7')

Early Willian goal sees Chelsea beat PAOK in Europa League

An early goal from Willian earns Chelsea a 1-0 victory over PAOK in Thursday's clash in the Europa League.

Chelsea have started their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 victory over PAOK in Thursday's clash in the Europa League.

An early goal from Willian proved to be the difference as Chelsea outclassed their hosts, but their joy was dampened after Pedro sustained what appeared to be an arm injury during added-on time.

Chelsea showed little nerves in the hostile atmosphere at the Toumba Stadium from the opening whistle, and it took the Blues less than seven minutes to go ahead.

Willian celebrates his opener during the Europa League group game between PAOK and Chelsea on September 20, 2018© Reuters

Ross Barkley - making his fourth start of the campaign - stormed through the middle before laying the ball off to Willian, who managed to force a shot under Alexandros Paschalakis from 10 yards out.

Chelsea continued to look for goals and Alvaro Morata should have doubled his side's lead within three minutes, only to head wide of the near post after meeting Pedro's cross.

The forward then drilled a low effort from an acute angle marginally wide of the far post, while Andreas Christensen should have done better at the back post after meeting a corner.

Pedro was the next player to squander an opening after the half-hour mark with the winger latching onto a superb through-ball from Marcos Alonso, but Paschalakis remained big to prevent the Spaniard from finding the far corner.

Ross Barkley and Yevhen Khacheridi in action during the Europa League group game between PAOK and Chelsea on September 20, 2018© Reuters

Chelsea continued to control the pace of the game after the restart and a second goal should have arrived in the 49th minute when Pedro and Barkley combined to tee up Willian, but the playmaker's shot was poor and too close to Paschalakis.

Willian was guilty again just before the hour mark, with a volley being sliced over the crossbar from 12 yards after good work from Pedro on the right.

Alonso was getting forward with regularity, and in the 61st minute the left-back cut back onto his weaker right foot before seeing a shot deflected marginally wide of the post.

PAOK were offering nothing in the final third, but Chelsea's frustrations continued at the other end as Pedro was superbly denied with an acrobatic save from Paschalakis when his shot appeared destined for the top corner.

Maurizio Sarri reacts during the Europa League group game between PAOK and Chelsea on September 20, 2018© Reuters

Diego Biseswar was introduced by the home side as the game entered the closing 10 minutes, and the Dutchman soon warmed the hands of Kepa Arrizabalaga with a well-struck shot from inside of the penalty area.

Chelsea went back up the other end and threatened through substitute Olivier Giroud, who saw a low effort tipped wide by Paschalakis, but the West Londoners were happy to make do with the solitary goal as they began their Europa League campaign in style.

However, in added-on time, Pedro collided with Paschalakis after being fouled outside the box, and the Spaniard could be set for a few weeks on the sidelines with an arm injury.

PAOK (4-3-3): Paschalakis; Vierinha, Khacheridi, Varela, Tosca; Mauricio, Shakhov (Prijovic 69'), Wernbloom; Jaba (Biseswar 82'), El Kaddouri, Pelkas (Warda 62')

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; Zappacosta, Christensen, Rudiger, Alonso (Azpilicueta 66'); Jorginho (Fabregas 65'), Kante, Barkley; Willian, Pedro, Morata (Morata 81')

ID:335886: cacheID:335886:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6847:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Alvaro Morata celebrates scoring for Chelsea on September 23, 2017
Read Next:
How Chelsea could line up against PAOK
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!