Chelsea overcame a one-goal lead from the first leg to defeat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on the overall scoreboard thanks to Kai Havertz’s retaken penalty.
After Marius Wolf was called for a handball, Havertz’s original shot hit the post. However, a second try was required due to encroachment, and the Germany international maintained his composure, picking the same area and scoring at the second attempt (53).
Although the hosts at Chelsea Bridge got off to a strong start, Raheem Sterling earlier tied the game on aggregate with a strong effort from the middle of the box off of a Ben Chilwell cut-back (43).
Chelsea entered the game having only scored twice in their previous seven games, but they finally found some cutting edge in front of goal, keeping their European dream alive and easing some of the pressure on head coach Graham Potter. Chelsea was buoyed by Saturday’s much-needed 1-0 win over Leeds in the Premier League.
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The choice to award Havertz’s penalty and then let him retake it left a sour taste in Dortmund’s mouth. The handball was “a yard or two away,” according to Jude Bellingham, a midfielder. “It was disappointing in and of itself, but the fact that they had a retake is ridiculous.
“With every penalty with such a slow run up there is going to be encroachment by individuals running into the box by a yard or so, but that’s the game. The choice has been made. We have to live with it.”
via Sky Sport
