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      Five reasons Chelsea beat Dortmund and one cause for concern after dramatic comeback win in Champions League

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      CHELSEA pulled off their best win of the Graham Potter reign with their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.After going 1-0 in the first leg in Germany, Potter’s men needed something special to get into the Champions League quarter-finals.
      Chelsea won a close game with Dortmund
      Chelsea stuck with a 3-4-3 formation
      And they delivered on a memorable night at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz to see them into the last eight.
      We have picked out FIVE reasons why they won… and one potential problem in the next round.
      1. Havertz comes good
      Havertz played with intelligence and skill as the front man, holding up the ball despite the German side’s physical approach.
      Kai Havertz was the focal point of Chelsea’s attacks

      2. Cucurella delivers
      Marc Cucurella has been a huge disappointment since his £65million move from Brighton but came good when it mattered.
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      He produced his best game in a blue shirt playing at left centre back and was made Man of the Match.
      Cucurella’s Man of the Match performance
      Cucurella was a key player as Chelsea made it through to the last eight
      3. Midfield dominance
      The pairing of Enzo Fernandez and Matteo Kovacic in the centre of midfield were defensive stalwarts.
      For most of the game they managed to severely limit Dortmund’s attacking power, especially England World Cup star Jude Bellingham.
      Ferrnandez played deep to snuff out Bellingham
      Kovacic was a key player against Dortmund

      4. Chilwell on top
      Dortmund couldn’t cope with Ben Chilwell from Chelsea’s left wing-back position.
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      The England star should probably have scored in the first half, and combined seamlessly with Cucurella.
      Chilwell was a constant threat down Chelsea’s left
      5. Kepa keeps them in the game
      Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made three important saves to keep Chelsea alive.
      And he didn’t mess around on the ball, hitting it long to the forwards more often than he passed it around at the back.
      Kepa opted for the long ball
      And one concern…
      Raheem Sterling scored the all-important first goal but overall had a poor game, especially in the first half.
      Sterling was not on the ball enough against Dortmund
      He was offside multiple times and was not on the ball enough in deeper positions to have any impact.
      And he failed to link well with right wing back Reece James.
      Something for Potter to work on in training this week. More

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      Chelsea fans ‘fully trust the process now’ as Boehly spotted hugging Graham Potter while holding BEER after Dortmund win

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      IT took some convincing, but Graham Potter appears to finally be winning the Chelsea faithful around. After a dreadful run of results which threatened to see the club’s season capitulate, Potter has reverted to a back three and scored back-to-back wins.
      Todd Boehly and Graham Potter in Chelsea trainingCredit: Getty
      Boehly embraced Potter in a hug after Chelsea’s winCredit: Paramount
      Boehly was spotted with a beer in his hand as wellCredit: Paramount
      This included last night’s victory over Borussia Dortmund, which saw Chelsea into the Champions League quarter-finals.
      The win clearly delighted Blues owner Todd Boehly too.
      The American, pictured with a beer in hand, was seen waiting in the tunnel for Potter after the game.
      And as the former Brighton boss came down the tunnel Boehly hugged Potter – no doubt partly a release of built-up stress from previous months.
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      Fans were in a similarly jubilant mood, taking to Twitter to back the under-fire boss.
      One user said: “I fully trust the process now.”
      A second admitted: “I’m very cautiously f***ing excited 🔥🔥🔥🔥🧢🧢.”
      While a third added: “My Owner and Manager.”
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      The match saw Raheem Sterling and a controversial re-taken Kai Havertz penalty guide Chelsea into the next round.
      Fans also praised a MotM performance from Marc Cucurella, who has struggled since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
      It makes Chelsea the first English club to win a Champions League knockout game this season after all four Premier League representatives drew or lost the opening legs.
      Despite the result, Potter still has some way to go in convincing the whole fanbase to get behind him.
      Winning the next game against Leicester would be a good start to achieving this.
      Here are Chelsea’s next five league games More

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      Chelsea fans praise ‘sensational’ transfer flop in Dortmund win after being booed by fans and trolled by team-mate

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      CHELSEA fans have hailed Marc Cucurella following his superb display in their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.Graham Potter’s side clinched a 2-1 aggregate victory over the German giants on Tuesday evening as they booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
      Marc Cucurella produced a superb performance for Chelsea against DortmundCredit: Getty
      He was named the Uefa Player of the Match for his displayCredit: Getty
      And Cucurella was named the Uefa Player of the Match after a dogged, determined display as part of Chelsea’s back three.
      Due to the unavailability of Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile, the former Brighton man lined up alongside Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly in the heart of the Blues’ defence.
      It came after Potter had left him out of his matchday squad for each of their previous three games against Southampton, Tottenham and Leeds.
      Cucurella has endured a tough time at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea supporters booing him off during their 1-1 draw with West Ham last month.
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      Cucurella was everywhere down the left side for Chelsea
      And after the game new Blues signing Mykhailo Mudryk liked an Instagram post slamming him.
      But the Spaniard answered his critics in Europe on Tuesday night as fans heaped praise on him.
      Reacting on social media, one fan said: “Cucurella’s best performance for the Blues so far, and I am hoping for many more.”
      While another added: “Man played every position on the pitch… he was sensational.”
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      The Blues defender impressed in a host of areas
      A third replied: “For the first time in a Chelsea shirt Cucurella played fantastic football yesterday.”
      And a fourth responded: “Best performance by Cucu in a Chelsea shirt.”
      Cucurella had more touches (59) and completed more passes (35) than any other Chelsea player against Dortmund.
      And Potter hailed his performance after the game, saying: “I’m delighted for him. Obviously when you’re having a bad time like we’ve had then you accept the criticism, you have to deal with it. Marc has dealt with it well.
      “We’ve tried to shield him a little bit and at the same time pick the moment.
      “I thought tonight, regardless of the situation, the crowd were going to get behind us because it’s the Champions League.
      “Tonight, with Benoit not available, I thought he [Cucurella] gave us the left foot and balance in the back three and thankfully he delivered a top performance.” More

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      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry makes STUNNING Kai Havertz comparison after Chelsea man’s ice-cold penalty vs Dortmund

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      THIERRY HENRY has compared Kai Havertz to one of his former Arsenal team-mate.The German was in action as Chelsea beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to edge through to the Champions League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate.
      Thierry Henry offered his thoughts on Kai HavertzCredit: TWITTER / @CBSSportsGolazo
      Havertz, 23, celebrates his winner with Mateo KovacicCredit: Getty
      Havertz, 23, had a smart finish disallowed for offside before netting the winner from the penalty spot, having been allowed to re-take the spot kick following his initial miss.
      Gunners legend Henry, 45, watched while on punditry duty for CBS Sports.
      Discussing the Chelsea forward’s impact, the Frenchman made a very flattering comparison.
      On Havertz, he said: “I thought he was good. On the first goal he held the ball ever so well.
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      “He reminds me sometimes a little, very little, of Robin, back to goal.
      “Robin van Persie was very good with his left foot – was always immaculate to try and bring people along.
      “It’s why I think out of the guys who used to be wingers or a ten, he plays a nine because back to goal he can hold the ball well.
      “Now he needs to make sure he can transform that into more goals, because you can play off him.”
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      As pointed out by Henry, Havertz held the ball up well against Dortmund
      Havertz, like Chelsea as a whole, has struggled for goals this season.
      He has scored just once in his last ten Prem games, and seven in 33 in all competitions this term.
      Since signing for Chelsea he has netted 30 goals in 125 games, including the winner in the 2021 Champions League final.
      Van Persie, 39, was more prolific than Havertz during his time in the Premier League.
      The Dutchman scored 132 goals in 278 matches for Arsenal, before landing his dream move to Manchester United in 2012.
      He helped the Red Devils to their last Prem title the following season, plundering 58 goals across 105 appearances for the 20-time champions.
      Robin van Persie won the Prem title at Man UnitedCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal still interested in Moises Caicedo transfer this summer along with Man Utd and Chelsea despite new Brighton deal

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      ARSENAL remain keen to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo this summer, according to reports.The Gunners saw offers of £60million and £70m rejected by the Seagulls in the January transfer window.
      Moises Caicedo has enjoyed a sensational season at BrightonCredit: Alamy
      Caicedo, 21, then agreed a new four-year deal with Brighton earlier this month to keep him at the club until 2027.
      The south-coast side also have the option of extending his £60,000-a-week contract by a further 12 months.
      He has contributed two goals and three assists in 36 appearances since arriving from Independiente in 2021.
      Meanwhile, Arsenal looked elsewhere for a midfielder and landed on Chelsea man Jorginho.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Yet despite recruiting in the mid-season window AND seeing Caicedo pen a new deal, Football Insider understand the Gunners are still interested in the Ecuadorian international.
      Manchester United and Chelsea are also thought to be in for the South American – who is reportedly still keen on a big move at the end of the season.
      During the January window he demanded to leave and took to social media to plead that the club let him depart.
      Since then, he has appeared to delete his Instagram and change his agent.
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      And after Brighton strengthened their negotiating position through the signing of a new deal, Caicedo is now understood to be valued at £90m.
      The Seagulls have a history of commanding big transfer fees for their star players.
      Arsenal are well aware of that having paid £50m for Ben White and £27m for Leandro Trossard.
      Chelsea also spent £62m to acquire Marc Cucurella in the summer.
      Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s desire to bolster his midfield options comes as he bids to make Arsenal regular title challengers.
      The Gunners sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 12 games remaining.
      But they are exceeding expectations with just three regular midfield options in Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Jorginho.
      And Xhaka’s future is still somewhat uncertain as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his existing deal. More

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      Chelsea fans hail struggling star for ‘delivering a masterclass in our biggest game’ against Dortmund

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      MARC CUCURELLA stunned Chelsea fans as much as Borussia Dortmund by returning to “deliver a masterclass in our biggest game of the season”.The recalled left-back was Uefa’s player of the match ahead of Chelsea’s goalscorers as the Blues reached the Champions League last eight.
      Marc Cucurella was Uefa’s man of the match as Chelsea KO’d DortmundCredit: Getty
      Cucurella, right, stepped in for a brilliant display from left-back, as he helped Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic and Co KO Jude Bellingham’s DortmundCredit: Reuters
      Raheem Sterling and Havertz clinched a 2-0 win for a 2-1 aggregate success over the second-placed Bundesliga side.
      And Cucurella, as as well as Chelsea supporters, hope this could be a huge turning point for the £62million ex-Brighton hero.
      The Spaniard was burgled soon after arriving at Stamford Bridge last August.
      And his form has stuttered along with Chelsea’s, even after his former Brighton boss Graham Potter succeeded Thomas Tuchel in September.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      But fans raved after his lively display against German giants Dortmund.
      One said: “Poor performances, heavy price tag, fairly & unfairly criticised, out the squad for 3 games in a row, comes straight into the XI & delivers a masterclass in our biggest game of the season. Marc Cucurella.”
      Another posted: “Man of the match today was constantly supporting Chilwell and Koulibaly at the same time.”
      A third supporter wrote: “I would have picked Havertz myself but can’t begrudge Cucurella for winning the award.
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      “Wonderful to see in a difficult season for him on and off the field.”
      And despite Chelsea including expensive recruits like Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez, unsung Blues were singled out too.
      Such comments included: “Kovacic and Chilwell were my man of the matches. Kepa was also great.” More

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      I’m an ex-Tottenham star the streets won’t forget… I sold my Ferrari after joining new club to live the simple life

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      FORMER Tottenham star Adel Taarabt has revealed he lived an easier life at Benfica.The Moroccan spent seven years with the Portuguese giants before leaving in 2022 and insisted that it was another level to the club he also played for.
      Adel Taarabt has said that the best club he played for was BenficaCredit: Getty
      His Premier League season with QPR has gone down in Premier League folkloreCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The player was known for his flair during spells with QPR and Fulham.
      Taarabt is often hailed as a “streets won’t forget” player in social media posts as fans still rave about his skillful displays in the Premier League.
      But after struggling to settle at a club he eventually joined Benfica in 2015 and developed into a different type of player.
      While in Portugal, the 33-year-old’s mentality changed and he dropped to a defensive midfielder and became a regular for the team
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      Although he did have injury issues as well as a spell with the B team which meant that he had to wait almost four years to make his debut, he went on to make 79 league appearances.
      But he was more than impressed with the mentality of the club as he changed his lifestyle while at the club.
      He told French outlet 90football: “When I arrived at Benfica, I saw the 15-year-old boys, I was shocked! They are the first in the gym. After training, in the gym.
      “The Portuguese have the best mentality.
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      “I left London, arrived in Lisbon in a Ferrari.
      “I arrived at the car park, do you know what cars I saw? Peugeot 307, 407… Do you know how they dressed?
      “Adidas, Nike, sponsors. No Givenchy, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana.
      “I sold the Ferrari, I bought a Mercedes Class A, what a life! Magnificent, simple life”
      Taarabt also added that he believes Benfica is the best club that he played for, adding: “People would say to me: ‘You played for Milan, for Tottenham…’, but Benfica is another level.”
      He left the club in September after his contract we terminated but would go on to join UAE Pro League side Al-Nasr SC later that month. More

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      Man Utd legend looking to become Premier League manager after refusing to jump at first offer

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      JOHN O’SHEA is being patient as he pursues his dream of becoming a Premier League manager.The former Manchester United defender, 41, has just been appointed as Ireland’s assistant boss while he continues coaching at Stoke.
      John O’Shea has all the experience gained from a Man Utd career alongside superstars turned coaches like Wayne Rooney and Michael CarrickCredit: Getty
      Stoke coach O’Shea will also now work as Republic of Ireland assistant bossCredit: Getty
      And he deserves credit for seeing the bigger picture rather than jumping at the first job offer.
      O’Shea completed all his coaching badges and is now on Uefa’s Master for International Players’ course, which equips ex-players with professional skills to work within football organisations.
      He was Ireland’s under-21s assistant before stepping up to become Stephen Kenny’s right-hand man and has a nice, easy first match . . . against France at home in a Euro 2024 qualifier on March 27.
      Soon after then-Stoke chief Michael O’Neill appointed O’Shea last July he said: “He had a fantastic playing career but he’s very keen to learn as a coach as well and he has settled in extremely well.
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      “I think he brings the right mix of not only his expertise but also his personality.
      “He’s a good person to have around, particularly around young players.”
      Alex Neil succeeded O’Neill last August but Stoke still languish 16th.
      And when O’Shea doubled up by taking the Ireland job, the 118-cap star said: “It was always an honour to play for my country and put on the green shirt so to join the coaching staff and work with the current group of players and staff is an amazing opportunity.
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      As a player he spent 12 years at Old Trafford.
      He then racked up seven years with Sunderland, before quitting on-field action at Reading in 2019. More