Chelsea march on to round of 16 in the UEFA champions league

Callum Hudson Odoi slotted past Gomis on Tuesday to send Chelsea into the round of 16 in the champions league. (Photo credit: Getty images) ...

Callum Hudson Odoi slotted past Gomis on Tuesday to send Chelsea into the round of 16 in the champions league. (Photo credit: Getty images)

Tuesday night saw a seamless progression of Chelsea into the round of 16 after a late Olivier Giroud header handed the Blues the win in France against Rennes.

 

Frank Lampard recalled the quartet of Jorginho, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva whom he had rested for the weekend game due to his travels during the international break and want away winger, Callum Hudson Odoi.

 

Chelsea should have had the lead as early as the 4^th minute but Timo Werner blasted over with an empty net gaping after Hudson Odoi’s cross met him unmarked and from three yards out.

 

Chelsea would later take the lead in the 22^nd minute and it was their most creative personality so far on the day that fired them in front. Mason Mount lofted over a well measured pass to Hudson Odoi in behind the Rennes defense and the 3Lions forward calmly controlled before slotting past Alfred Gomis.

 

The goal lifted Chelsea and they could have added a second almost immediately but Gomis was up to their antics.

 

Gomis saved brilliantly from Mount, but it was Mendy who was the busier of the two goalkeepers. He was finally beaten on 85 minutes as Guirassy was left unmarked at a corner and powered his header into the net.

 

Guirassy’s far post equalizer seemingly earned the Brittany club a point until a shocking defending at the tail end of the game gifted Hakim Ziyech the ball and the Moroccan winger fed Werner who saw his effort saved by Gomis but Olivier Giroud was on hand to head home right inside the Rennes area.

 

The win took Chelsea to ten points from four games and certainly secured round of 16 football alongside Sevilla but the Blues are ahead on goal difference and will now focus on finishing top of the group to earn bragging rights and probably avoid tougher opponents in the next round.