Pedro’s goal gives Chelsea first-leg draw
Eintracht Frankfurt 1 Chelsea 1
Pedro scored a potentially crucial away goal for Chelsea as they drew in Germany in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final.
Trailing to Luka Jovic’s 24th-minute header, the Blues hit back just before half-time.
With the German side unable to clear their lines, Ruben Loftus-Cheek touched the ball back to Pedro, who took a touch before firing past keeper Kevin Trapp.
Eintracht had gone ahead when they broke forward after Olivier Giroud had lost the ball deep inside the opposing half. Filip Kostić crossed from the left for Jović to nod past keeper Kepa.
16 – @ChelseaFC are unbeaten in their last 16 Europa League games, a new record in the competition since it was rebranded in 2009-10. Sweet. #SGECHE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 2, 2019
Chelsea dominated much of the second half as the home side ran out of ideas.
Loftus-Cheek was outstanding but missed a great chance when he shot over after exchanging passes with Pedro.
David Luiz went close for Chelsea when his free-kick struck the bar.
Luiz also had a header saved by Trapp after being found by a free-kick from Eden Hazard, who came on as a substitute.
Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Christensen, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek (Kovacic 82), Willian (Hazard 61), Giroud, Pedro.
Subs: Caballero, Zappacosta, Alondo, Barkley, Higuain.
