Live Commentary: Chelsea 3-1 Basel (5-2 agg.) - as it happened

 

 CHELSEA: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Bertrand, Lampard, Luiz, Ramires, Hazard, Moses, Torres

BASEL: Sommer, Voser, Schar, Sauro, Steinhofer, Die, Stocker, F Frei, Salah, Elneny, Streller

 

 

2 minAfter a slight delay Basel get the match underway and immediately launch a long diagonal towards the far corner. Chelsea deal with the quick pass easily and decide to keep possession deep in the early going.

4 minSHOT! Very early on Basel get a sight at goal through Streller as Chelsea switch off in central defence. The forward has time to meet a looping forward pass but can only send a half volley well wide from just inside the penalty area. A golden opportunity for the visitors to score a precious away goal.

6 minAzpilcueta shows composure in defence to intercept a pass meant for the late run of Stocker, with Basel signalling an intent to attack right from the outset. At the other end trickery in the final third from Ramires finds Moses out wide, with the forward eventually winning a cheap free kick near the corner flag thanks to a cheap foul from Serey Die.

8 minLess than a minute later Serey Die races into a high challenge on Bertrand and forces the referee to award another free kick just beyond the halfway line. The Swedish official decides a stern word will suffice at this stage but the Ivory Coast midfielder is lucky to escape a caution even at this early stage.

10 minOFF THE POST! Frank Lampard has just come within inches of drawing level with Tambling's goal record. The midfielder ghosted in-behind to meet a clever flick from Torres and decided to take his shot early after beating the offside trap. His half-volley had Sommer beat but clipped the far post and bounced out, with Moses unable to turn home the rebound from a tight angle!

12 minBasel are quick to maintain their positive start and push both full-backs forward at the other end. Steinhofer had made a lively start down the right flank but is just unable to beat Moses and deliver in the final third.

14 minSCORE UPDATE! News of a quick goal in tonight's other semi-final, with Benfica leveling the tie thanks to an early strike from Gaitan. The Portuguese giants are now level at 1-1 with Fenerbahce with more than 75 minutes left to play!

16 minBack at the Bridge a clever run into the channel from Torres creates space in the final third, but the Spaniard is unable to pick out an advanced run from Hazard into the box as his pass is intercepted. Basel are quick to launch forward on the counter, but Stocker is held up near the corner flag, giving Chelsea the chance to regroup in numbers as Cech claims an aimless cross.

19 minSAVE! Chelsea enjoy a sustained spell of possession as Lampard, Torres and Hazard all enjoy touches in the opposition half. Another strong run out wide from Torres sees the forward share a neat exchange with Hazard before aiming a weak low shot towards the bottom corner. His effort is well placed and requires Sommer to tip round the post at full stretch for a corner kick.

21 minFrom the following corner Luiz is unable to make contact with a curling cross despite being unmarked at the far post in a lucky escape from Basel. Strong running without possession from Ramires soon sees the Blues regain control, with the home side now looking assured after a slightly nervous start.

23 minMoses wins a corner kick after a positive run down the left flank. Lampard's delivery beats a number of players and bounces inside the six-yard box before eventually being cleared by Stocker. Basel definitely look vulnerable from set pieces, which is hardly a closely-guarded secret after they conceded twice from similar situations in the first leg.

25 minChelsea keep the pressure on as Lampard sends a looping cross towards the far post, but an attempt from Moses to chest into the path of Torres sends the ball out harmlessly for a goal kick. Basel are now struggling to clear their lines and keep possession with any real conviction in the opposition half.

27 minCahill puts in a strong challenge on Stocker, winning the ball cleanly before catching the winger with an over-zealous follow through. After a short break for the Basel winger to receive medical attention he seems alright to continue.

29 minSHOT! A quite wonderful effort on the volley from Streller sails just wide of the far corner, with a strike reminiscent of Marco van Basten from a tight angle. The forward watched a cross from Steinhofer all the way and connected perfectly, with his powerful drive flying just past Cech's far post.

31 minBasel use that effort as something to build on and win a corner kick as Cahill is forced to turn behind under pressure from Salah. Stocker's following cross is a huge disappointment and falls comfortably for Cech to claim under little pressure in the six-yard box.

33 minSCORE UPDATE! Another goal before the break in tonight's other tie between Fenerbahce and Benfica. Dirk Kuyt to bring the visitors level on the night and 2-1 up on aggregate with a crucial away goal.

35 minCHANCE! Back in West London the Blues have just spurned a golden opportunity to take the lead. A strong run from Hazard into the penalty area left three Basel players in his wake before a pass into the penalty area searched for Ramires. The Brazilian was at full stretch to meet the cutback but his connection was soft and allowed Sommer to save from close range.

37 minClever close control from El Nenny and Salah helps Basel win a corner kick, but Cech is out quickly to punch the cross clear at his near post. At the other end Azpilicueta decides to try his luck from range, but sends a tame low effort well wide of Sommer's far post from 30 yards.

39 minA rare wasteful cross from Hazard fails to pick out any of three Chelsea players who had made forward runs, with Lampard standing unmarked inside the penalty area. Basel continue their positive approach when they regain possession, but Bertrand just does enough to see off Steinhofer in an advanced position out wide.

41 minSAVE! Basel have just had without question their best opening of the night. Salah's run into the final third forced a strong save from the onrushing Cech, with Stocker's shot on the rebound blocked clear by Bertrand. The visitors want handball against Bertrand, but the referee waves away fierce protests from the Basel bench.

43 minSCORE UPDATE! There has been another goal at the Stadium of Light, with Oscar Cardozo bringing Benfica level at 2-2 on aggregate against Fenerbahce. The home side need another goal to progress after a frantic opening to the second leg in Lisbon!

45 minChelsea take the sting out of Basel's recent revival by maintaining possession for prolonged spell in the final third. Lampard eventually attempts a tricky forward pass in search of Ramires, which is intercepted by Voser just inside the penalty area.

45 min+1GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Basel (Salah)

45 min+2Right on the stroke of half-time Salah has beaten a static Chelsea offside trap to turn home from close range after being picked out by a precise pass from Stocker. Yakin's side have been rewarded for a positive approach and are now within a single goal of progressing to their first ever European final.

8.55pmHALF-TIME Chelsea 0-1 Basel (2-2 on aggregate)

8.57pmAfter a fairly routine first 45 minutes for Chelsea conceding in stoppage time has thrown the tie wide open. Basel have shown attacking intent from the outset, with Salah, Stocker and Streller all showing glimpses of quality on the counter.

8.59pmChelsea look a potent threat going forward but have too often failed to show composure with a final pass. Lampard struck the post early on for the Blues, but Benitez must be concerned with his side's slack marking at times throughout the first period.

9.01pmAt present this scoreline is just about good enough for Chelsea to reach the final, but the tie is now finely poised and another Basel goal puts the Blues at a huge disadvantage. There are definitely more goals there to be had at both ends, with Basel's commitment to chasing the match leaving them open on the counter.

9.03pmChelsea have a number of experienced players at their disposal on the bench and may well be forced to use that advantage after the break. Mata and Oscar could help the Blues keep possession in midfield, while Terry could be introduced to keep things tight in the closing stages.

9.05pmBasel should come out after the interval full of confidence after a spirited first-half display. The Swiss side are causing problems with their ability to switch a clever three-man attack and definitely look capable of creating more chances to score. Stocker in particular is a player with fantastic close control and his runs inside the channels have kept the Chelsea rearguard busy in both legs.

9.07pmSEMI-FINAL UPDATE! A reminder that in tonight's other semi-final Fenerbahce trail 2-1 on the night against Benfica after a frenetic first period. The Turkish giants will still progress as things stand on the away goals rule, but there is a long way to go in Lisbon.

47 minChelsea get the second half underway and launch a long diagonal down the touchline, with Luiz's pass far too heavy for the chasing Azpilicueta to prevent a goal kick for the visitors. The Blues quickly regain possession and cross through Hazard, but his attempted pass inside is intercepted by Stocker.

49 minBertrand concedes a free kick just beyond the halfway line, giving Basel the chance to send numbers forward. A clever exchange out wide between Voser and Stocker sets up Sergey Die for a strike just outside the penalty area, but his scuffed effort falls well wide of the top corner.

51 minGOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Basel (Torres)

53 minA stunning solo run from Hazard has helped Chelsea create a crucial goal on the counter. The Belgian beat three players before eventually being stopped just inside the penalty area, but Lampard pounced quickly to strike low towards the bottom corner. Sommer did just enough to parry wide, but Torres was on hand to follow up and tap home his 20th of the season from close range.

55 minGOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Basel (Moses)

57 minThe persistence of Moses has put Chelsea well and truly on course to reach Amsterdam. The forward had his first shot from close range charged down, but reacted quickest to meet the loose ball and find the far corner from close range. That is the Nigerian's fourth goal in six matches and two in as many minutes now have the Blues in complete control of the tie.

59 minYELLOW CARD! Azpilicueta has just picked up the game's first caution for a clumsy late tackle on Sauro. His late lunge caught the central defender with studs to shin and is worthy of a booking.

61 minGOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Basel (Luiz)

63 minA quite magnificent strike from distance by Luiz has effectively put this tie beyond doubt. With the home crowd urging Lampard to shoot the midfielder instead elects to pick out Luiz around 25 yards from goal. The Brazilian looks up and sends an unstoppable curling drive into the top corner, with a strike full of swerve and venom. The Blues have survived a real scare and are now comfortable with a three-goal advantage on aggregate.

65 minSUBSTITUTION: Basel decide to make a desperate double change, with David Degen and Zoua coming on for Streller and Stocker. Yakin has probably just taken off his two best players and the Swiss champions now look unlikely to produce a miracle comeback.

67 minOFF THE POST! Fabian Frei must have heard me and decides to unleash a thunderous drive towards the top corner. His strike swerves considerably and ends up crashing off the far post, with Cech reduced to the role of spectator in the Chelsea goal. That is desperately unlucky for Basel, who continue to flood forward but now look well beaten.

69 minSUBSTITUTION: With Ramires one booking away from missing the final Benitez decides to protect his Brazilian midfielder, sending on Oscar with 20 minutes left to play.

71 minYELLOW CARD! Schar loses his cool and hauls Torres to the ground around 25 yards from goal, picking up a booking and a European suspension in the process. Lampard is hurried forward to the the resulting free kick, but with headline writers waiting expectantly the midfielder blasts a wayward effort high and wide.

73 minYELLOW CARD! Steinhofer follows Schar into the referee's notebook after cynically bringing down Hazard on the halfway line. The Belgian had plenty of space to accelerate towards and the full-back decides to take no chances, receiving a caution in the process.

75 minSCORE UPDATE! News of another goal in Lisbon and a second strike from Oscar Cardozo has put Benfica 3-2 ahead on aggregate against Fenerbahce. As it stands the Portuguese giants will qualify for next month's final and meet Chelsea in Amsterdam.

76 minHazard shows superb vision to spot Sommer off his line and attempt a chip into the top corner from at least 20 yards. The Belgian's effort is precise but lacks power and allows the Basel keeper to scramble backwards and avoid embarrassment with a comfortable catch.

78 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Chelsea make a second change to rest Hazard, despite Luiz and Bertrand being a yellow card away from missing the final. Mata in on to replace his midfield colleague behind Torres, with Basel also swapping Frei for Chilean playmaker Marcelo Diaz in their final change.

80 minDie continues to fight for Basel in midfield, both with and without the ball. The Ivorian bombs forward and has time to shoot from 20 yards, but can only test Cech with a low strike that lacks power and is saved easily. Diaz is next to try his luck from range with a deflected drive, which Cech is forced to turn wide for a corner kick after adjusting late.

82 minAfter a delay caused by stewards moving across the corner flag Diaz's corner kick is flicked on by a towering leap at the near post from Schar. Unfortunately for Basel no visiting player anticipates the flick and Chelsea are able to clear with relative ease at the far post.

85 minSUBSTITUTION: Chelsea decide to protect Luiz in the closing stages, with the Brazilian a booking away from missing the final through suspension. Nathan Ake is brought on to replace Luiz late on in his appearance in the Europa League knockout stages.

87 minSAVE! Good hustle from Torres robs possession in the penalty area and finds Mata in space just inside the box. The Spaniard's powerful strike is just central enough for Sommer to make an acrobatic stop.

89 minAt the other end Zoua attempts a curling strike from just outside the penalty area, but under pressure his effort never looks like turning inside the far post and drifts well wide.

90 min+1YELLOW CARD! Just shy of stoppage time Basel midfielder Die finally receives a long overdue caution after bringing down Oscar with a physical challenge without coming close to winning the ball. Chelsea break quickly as a result, but Torres can only send a tame central effort straight to a relieved Sommer.

90 min+3Oscar has time and space to pick out two unmarked players at the far post but his cross has far too power and drifts beyond Torres for a goal kick. The Brazilian quickly gets another chance to play in Torres and gets it right with a quick pass, but once again the Spanish striker's soft effort is tipped wide by Sommer at his near post.

9.56pmFULL-TIME Chelsea 3-1 Basel (5-2 on aggregate)