Blues in Europa League last 16
 

Chelsea 3-0 Malmo::eek!: Maurizio Sarri gets welcome Cup final boost with Blues making Europa League last 16 :news: (February 21, 2019)

Maurizio Sarri enjoyed the perfect confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final as they beat Malmo 3-0 to make the last 16 of the Europa League.

Chelsea eased some of the pressure on an embattled Sarri with a 5-1 aggregate victory, though it was far from a flowing performance from the Blues.

Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain were rested for Sunday’s Wembley showpiece against Manchester City, but with the first leg ending 2-1 the tie still had some life left in it.

After a drab goalless first half, Olivier Giroud put the hosts ahead ten minutes after the interval to effectively put the tie to bed.

A tiring Malmo then had Rasmus Bengtsson sent off as he collected his second yellow card for a foul on Emerson.

Ross Barkley then added a second with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, before Callum Hudson-Odoi, enjoying a rare start, slotted in a second to cap a decent night’s work for Chelsea.