07 March 2023 , 22:21
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On a night of nerves and tension at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea got a victory which might just change the course of their season.
And, incredibly, they actually managed to score two goals in a match for the first time in 70 days since they beat Bournemouth on December 27.
Kai Havertz’s decisive penalty - scored at the second attempt - put Chelsea into the Champions League quarter finals after they staged a gutsy fight back to overcome Borussia Dortmund.
You could not fail to feel some happiness for Graham Potter who has come through what was billed as a defining four days as Chelsea boss.
They beat Leeds on Saturday, saw off Dortmund and now, finally, Potter might be able to look beyond the next game in what has become one of the hardest jobs in football.
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No wonder Potter could not even watch when Havertz strode up to score his penalty at the second attempt. His celebration when the crowd went berserk told its own story as did his relief at the final whistle.
The six minutes of injury time seemed to take forever. It must have been torture before it was finally over and Potter hugged his assistant Billy Reid and then blew kisses into the crowd.
Maybe, just maybe, things are turning his way and Chelsea’s admirable patience in Potter could pay off because now they have another European adventure to look forward to.
Graham Potter has guided Chelsea to the quarter-finals of the Champions League (AFP via Getty Images)Potter must also take some heart in big players standing up to be counted as it was Raheem Sterling who got the opening goal, Havertz’s all round performance was terrific and Ben Chilwell was outstanding as he played a part in both goals.
It was Sterling’s seventh goal for Chelsea, his 27th overall in the Champions League and if he had timed his runs better then he would have caused more damage but twice an offside flag denied the home side more goals.
But on nights like these, the result is all that matters and it was a big one because Dortmund led from the first leg, are a tough nut to crack and, even though they did not play at their best, they are experienced campaigners.
Havertz hit the post and had the ball in the net only for an offside flag to show Sterling was offside. You began to feel it was going to be one of those nights.
Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock for Chelsea on Tuesday night (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Then it all changed after 43 minutes. Chilwell drove down the left wing, his low cross found Sterling who scuffed his first effort but then forced home at the second attempt to give Chelsea the lead.
Suddenly, Stamford Bridge had something to shout about. It got even better after half time. Chilwell’s cross hit Marius Wolf’s arm, referee Danny Makkelie went over to his VAR screen and eventually gave what looked like a very harsh penalty.
Havertz is Chelsea’s new penalty taker after Jorginho’s departure but probably wished he had not taken the job when his spot kick hit the post. However, VAR intervened again and Dortmund midfielder Salih Ozcan had encroached in the box and it had to be retaken.
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Chelsea forward Havertz stepped up again, held his nerve and went for the same corner, this time finding the net to the relief of the crowd.
Substitute Conor Gallagher had the ball in the net again but VAR showed Sterling had gone too soon with his run. Dortmund, with Jude Bellingham wearing a heavy strapping on his left knee, pushed but could not find a way through.
Chelsea held firm. Stamford Bridge celebrated as one, the songs began to ring around the stadium and Potter might just have turned a very big corner.