Alonso gives Chelsea first-leg win in Prague

Slavia Prague 0 Chelsea 1

Marcos Alonso’s late goal put Chelsea firmly on course for the Europa League semi-finals.

The Blues endured a tough quarter-final first leg in Prague but grabbed a potentially crucial away goal with four minutes remaining.

Willian, who hit the bar with a thumping strike in the first half, sent in a teasing cross from the right and Alonso arrived to head home.

It puts the Blues in a commanding position ahead of next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Slavia were punished for switching off but can count themselves somewhat unlucky, having put their opponents under pressure for large spells of the game.

There were plenty of nervous moments for Chelsea, not least when keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga redeemed himself by stopping Jan Boril’s overhead kick after flapping at a cross.