Hakim Ziyech winner sees Chelsea edge towards Champions League knockout rounds
Chelsea are one step closer to progressing in the Champions League after a 1-0 win over Swedish side Malmo.
Hakim Ziyech met Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross to earn Chelsea the three points after a frustrating first half finished goalless.
The Chelsea rear guard prevented Malmo getting a shot on target throughout the whole match but Malmo goalkeeper Johan Dahlin impressed to limit Chelsea to just one goal.
Kai Havertz had the best chance of the first half but Dahlin made a superb save, and the 35-year-old also kept out efforts from Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Ziyech.
The breakthrough finally came 10 minutes after the restart when Hudson-Odoi combined well with Havertz before a low cross found Ziyech to convert at the far post.
Earlier, Antonio Colak almost gave Malmo the lead but his volley went narrowly wide. Soren Rieks also shot wide in the second half.
The result sees Chelsea move level on points with Juventus at the top of Group H, with Juventus meeting Zenit St Petersburg later this evening.
If the Russians lose in Turin, Chelsea will need just one point from their final two matches to book their place in the second round.
Cover Photo: Zellreder [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
