Enzo Fernandez makes Graham Potter claim as Dortmund star slams Chelsea referee

09 March 2023 , 04:30

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Chelsea secured what could end up being a priceless victory on Tuesday night, overturning a first-leg deficit to knock Borussia Dortmund out of Europe.

The Blues had lost 1-0 at Signal Iduna Park, but goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz sent them through to keep alive hopes of a second European title in three years. Manager Potter, who had been under pressure before back-to-back victories for the first time in 2023, suggested his team are through their "tough period".

Fall-out from the narrow European win dominates today's news, with Dortmund unhappy with the officiating at Stamford Bridge. Here are the latest news lines from west London.

Enzo's praise for Potter

Chelsea record signing Enzo Fernandez believes Chelsea are on the right path under Graham Potter and has urged fans to back the boss. Potter's side struggled for goals around the turn of the year, but two clean sheets in a row have provided the grounding for a pair of valuable wins.

“We’re going to be staying on this path and we keep hope things carry on improving," the Argentina midfielder said. "It was a great plan from our coaches for the game.

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“We had trust that the team could do it. We had more people running in behind and many people working at the back. We just had to do our jobs and follow that game plan.”

Havertz hailed

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Kai Havertz sent Chelsea through to the Champions League quarter-finals (PA)

Thierry Henry has compared Kai Havertz to Robin van Persie, the man who succeeded him as Arsenal's main striker. This is despite Havertz, who scored Chelsea's winner against Dortmund from the penalty spot, underwhelming with his goal tally.

"I thought he was good on the first goal you could see held the ball ever so well," Henry said on CBS Sports. He reminds me sometimes, a little, of Robin back to goal the way he can hold the ball. Robin van Persie was very good with his left foot, the touch was always immaculate he tried to bring people along.

"This is why out of the guys that used to be wingers or No.10 he plays as a nine because with his his back to goal he can hold the ball well. Now he needs to make sure he can transform that into more goals because you can play off him."

Can hits out at ref

Emre Can was furious with Danny Makkelie (AP)

Referee Danny Makkelie has felt the wrath of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can after his officiating at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The Dutch ref allowed Kai Havertz to retake his match-winning penalty after his original effort struck a post, ruling that there had been encroachment from the away side.

"The referee. It was his fault today," Can said after his side were beaten 2-1 on aggregate. "How can you give the second penalty in the situation?

"How does it work? That simply does not work! I don't give a s*** who walked in there before. He was arrogant the whole game - that's where it starts. We lost here undeservedly because of the referee."