Blues in Europa League last 16

[bennythedip2]

Chelsea 3-0 Malmo: Maurizio Sarri gets welcome Cup final boost with Blues making Europa League last 16 (February 21, 2019)

Maurizio Sarri enjoyed the perfect confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final as they beat Malmo 3-0 to make the last 16 of the Europa League.

Chelsea eased some of the pressure on an embattled Sarri with a 5-1 aggregate victory, though it was far from a flowing performance from the Blues.

Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain were rested for Sunday’s Wembley showpiece against Manchester City, but with the first leg ending 2-1 the tie still had some life left in it.

After a drab goalless first half, Olivier Giroud put the hosts ahead ten minutes after the interval to effectively put the tie to bed.

A tiring Malmo then had Rasmus Bengtsson sent off as he collected his second yellow card for a foul on Emerson.

Ross Barkley then added a second with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, before Callum Hudson-Odoi, enjoying a rare start, slotted in a second to cap a decent night’s work for Chelsea.