Raheem Sterling said he was always confident Chelsea would overturn their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund after the Blues secured a 2-0 win on Tuesday night to advance to the quarter-finals.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Chelsea deservedly claimed the victory at Stamford Bridge which sent them through to the last eight, with Sterling levelling the tie just before half time and Kai Havertz scoring the winner from the penalty spot at the second attempt eight minutes after the break.
Havertz saw his first penalty rebound off the post but referee Danny Makkelie, following a VAR consultation, ordered it to be retaken after Dortmund players encroached the area. The German made no mistake the second time, placing his shot in the same direction but this time tucked the ball inside the post.
It was the sort of good fortune, Sterling said, has been lacking for Chelsea this season.
"It was a massive performance. We had to dig deep," the England international said. "We took our chances and recently we just haven’t had the luck. Tonight, we felt it as a team, we knew we could do it. Kai did it for us in the end.
"I have seen Kai shoot penalties all the time in training, and I was so confident in him, and he knew exactly what he was doing and I knew he would put it in the back of the net."
Sterling's goal was his 27th in the Champions League. The 27-year-old forward collected Ben Chilwell's cross inside the Dortmund area but a poor first touch almost ended the move. However, he kept the chance alive under pressure before lashing the ball into the roof of the net.
"I miskicked it and didn’t have a great first touch, but it landed perfectly for me and that set us on our way to build on the performance," Sterling said.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter heaped praise on his players after a "fantastic evening" at Stamford Bridge.
Potter, appointed last September, has been under increasing pressure amid a domestic season which sees Chelsea languish in mid-table in the Premier League. A scrappy 1-0 victory over Leeds United last Saturday was only the Blues' second win in their past nine league games, but now with two successive wins, confidence and optimism is higher than they were just a week ago.
Chelsea v Dortmund player ratings
The win over Dortmund, who entered the game on a 10-match winning run, was also the first time Chelsea had scored two goals in a game since beating Bournemouth by the same score on December 27.
"It was a fantastic atmosphere, a fantastic evening," Potter said. "The players were tremendous, the supporters were tremendous. It’s a fantastic result on such a big night and I’m just so proud of the players.
"We played really well and we created a lot of good opportunities. I think over the two games we did enough to win the tie, but we still had to get the job done, which we did.
"I’m just delighted for the players that we could get the win and thrilled for everyone here in the stadium tonight. It was a special night and I’m really pleased that the supporters could enjoy a night like that. A big thanks to them, they were amazing.
"It was a passionate evening. Stamford Bridge was rocking, and our performance helped that. We pressed high, we won tackles, we were organised, and we played some decent stuff against a top team. We’re really happy to go through."
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Aguero 1', 44', 61'
Arsenal 1
Koscielny 11'
Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
