Consistent Chelsea outclasses underwhelming Dynamo Kyiv with a 3-0 drubbing at the Stamford Bridge, as Maurizio Sarri men strengthen their position for a probable quarterfinal berth in the Europa League. The Blues dominated the game right from the start and it was in the 17th minute when Pedro broke the deadlock. Chelsea doubled their lead in the 65th minute via exquisite freekick from Wilian before substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi managed to put the final nail in the coffin.
Pedro masterclass too much for Dynamo Kyiv?
The Spaniard came up with a terrific performance against the Ukrainian at the Stamford Bridge. He simply toyed with the Kyiv defenders and had a great understanding with Olivier Giroud to break the deadlock in the 17th minute of the match. He also created several chances throughout the match and was a livewire on the field. He could have had a first-half hat-trick but squandered several chances and were also denied by the Kyiv custodian, Denys Boyko. The former Barcelona midfielder played a pivotal role in starting most of the attacking movement for Maurizio Sarri men throughout the game.
He also assisted substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi for the late goal which made the scoreline 3-0 and was literally the last nail in the coffin for the Blues as they have one foot in the quarterfinals already.
Dynamo Kyiv lacked proper intent and spark in their attack
The Ukrainian side had a golden opportunity to take home a crucial away goal in the late exchanges of the game when midfielder, Volodymyr Shepelev made a fine run down the flank and fired in a pinpoint cross in the box and substitute defender Sidcley’s header caught Kepa Arrizabalag in a no mans land as the ball fell across goal but there were no Kyiv players to put it past the Chelsea custodian. It was a huge moment in the tie for Alyaksandr Khatskevich’s men and their lack of intent going forward came back to haunt them. The Ukrainians soon after missing this effort conceded another goal late on through counter-attack and which more or less ends their hopes of progression to the next round.
Kyiv were not completely clueless, Alyaksandr Khatskevich’s side had the players who can cause problems in the Chelsea back-line but everything boils down to the intent they showed on the field. The Ukrainians had their moments but were not clinical enough in front of the goal and overall apart from their goalkeeper Denys Boyko the whole team were second best in each and every department.
Callum Hudson-Odoi once again proves Sarri’s wrong
It was brilliant display from the Blues against a considerably weaker side but still, the players did their job with aplomb. It was a first-half masterclass from Pedro and a stunning freekick goal from Willian. One must think that Sarri did a great job starting the duo but these are matches were the Italian tactician should allow youngsters like Callum Hudson-Odoi. The England U21 international has shown his immense talent and has also proven his mettle in front of goal. But whatever he does currently it seems like it hardly matters to his Italian gaffer.
It was another special performance from the England U21 international as he was a constant threat on the flank in the twelve minutes he played and also scored immense maturity to score late on giving Chelsea the insurance goal to the second leg. Hudson-Odoi may not be ready to be a regular starter in the Premier League but not starting him against a side like Dynamo Kyiv in the Europa League is something unexplainable.
