Chelsea set up a second all-English European final inside two days as they kept their nerve from 12 yards to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 on penalties to reach the Europa League final.
They’ll meet London rivals Arsenal in Baku on May 29 after going the distance having drawn 1-1 with the German side at Stamford Bridge as the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.
After a lively start from the visitors Chelsea settled into a rhythm and the opening goal really settled them down. Eden Hazard sent Ruben Loftus-Cheek in on goal and he side-footed calmly past Kevin Trapp.
The Blues began to get on top but they started the second half sloppily and conceded when Real Madrid-bound Luka Jovic calmy finished past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
CHELSEA (4-3-3)
Kepa Arrizabalaga 8: Stinging shot was palmed to safety superbly from Da Costa. Fisted Gacinovic’s thumped effort away too. Fine stop from Paciencia, as well as Hinteregger from 12 yards.
Cesar Azpilicueta 5: Typically industrious and drove Chelsea on. Another player maybe lucky to only see yellow for ugly challenge on Kostic. Goal disallowed for foul on Trapp, as he faded after break. Missed pen.
David Luiz 7: Standard mixed evening for the centre-back, simply didn’t track Jovic for Serb’s pivotal strike. Ball to pick out Willian was a peach. Cleared Haller’s scuffed effort off the line.
Andreas Christensen 4: Took an early elbow to the stomach. Looked troubled by Jovic and eventually forced off. Didn’t look up for battle.
Emerson 6: Bombed forward down the left, diligent as he had hands busy with rampaging Da Costa in second half.
Mateo Kovacic 6: Thread play neatly in first half, but lucky to stay on early in second for horrendous tackle on Falette.
Jorginho 5: Neat and tidy but lost control of midfield as energetic Frankfurt surged in second half. Lack of dynamism begs question why Kante’s role needed tinkering. Cheekily-converted kick.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek 8: Lively from the outset, Eintract couldn’t shackle him. Fine finish for the opener. Tired but still strange he was brought off, which triggered boos.
Willian 7: A handful for the visitors, pulling his markers out to the touchlines and gliding inside at every opportunity. Oddly hooked on the hour.
Olivier Giroud 6: Linked well with the forward-thinking Chelsea players but faded. Sweet strike forced low save from Trapp.
Eden Hazard 7: Had been quiet, until he sent Loftus-Cheek through to score. Always fulcrum of Chelsea’s attacks, with predictable team-leading four key passes. Not his usual sharpness but man who sent them to Baku.
SUBS
Davide Zappacosta 7: Replaced injured Christensen and immediately got involved, stinging hands of Trapp. Excellent clearance off the line from Haller’s header.
Ross Barkley 7: Loftus-Cheek wasn’t a popular sub but Barkley was lively when he entered. Added impetus to flat-lining Chelsea attack. Cool pen.
Gonzalo Higuain 6: Replaced tiring Giroud, perhaps with a view to taking a penalty, but wasn’t used. Hardly featured.
