Karim Adeyemi scored a blistering counter-attack goal worthy of winning any game as Borussia Dortmund edged Chelsea in an end-to-end Champions League encounter.
The Germans claimed the advantage in their home leg of the last-16 tie, which heads to west London next month with Graham Potter still searching for a ruthless edge in his gradual Chelsea revival.
Neither side had shown much in the way of clinical finishing until just after the hour mark, when 21-year-old winger Adeyemi made hay of a smart advantage played for a Chelsea offside to launch at Enzo Fernandez, cruising past the Argentine with his blistering pace before rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga to roll home.
It was the moment of quality necessary to tip a tight but entertaining game one way or the other, after almost an hour without a shot on target despite efforts flying in from all angles.
Chelsea had started well and a busy first-half began with Mykhailo Mudryk running through on goal and being denied a shooting chance by Nico Schlotterbeck’s superb sliding tackle, as both defences settled in for a busy night.
Thiago Silva thought he had headed Chelsea ahead on 16 minutes only to see a yellow card flashed his direction as he trotted off to celebrate, referee Jesus Gil Manzano spotting a handball from the Brazilian as he battled for the ball.
Borussia looked more threatening but lacked the final ball, which was no issue for the visitors as they instead struggled to finish their numerous chances.
Namely, Joao Felix was guilty of side-footing Hakim Ziyech’s smart cut-back over the bar before he rattled the woodwork when sent through one-on-one by Kai Havertz. It capped a first 45 minutes of 16 shots, shared between the sides, none of which hit the target.
Reece James finally broke that duck, with the 20th effort of the game, as Gregor Kobel palmed away his free-kick during another bright start to he half by the visitors.
Adeyemi’s goal therefore came somewhat against the run of play, particularly as Hakim Ziyech’s corner was headed across goal by Havertz and flicked back, prompting the offside flag to rise and Gil Manzano to play a fine advantage that allowed Adeyemi to eventually score.
THAT IS UNREAL! ⚫️🟡
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 15, 2023
Karim Adeyemi shows great pace and power get past Enzo Fernández and slots it home 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/Go32ZlnIQj
Borussia’s zippy press was only sparked by the goal but Chelsea did not shirk from the task at hand, Kalidou Koulibaly firing at Kobel in the 78th minute and seeing his spilled effort hacked off the line by Emre Can.
The Blues put together a threatening late barrage but again found no way past the Yellow Wall, vociferous as ever behind the goal they attacked in the second half. First, Felix drilled a low effort at Kobel and, in the dying moments, Fernandez’s fine curling effort was spectacularly turned away.
Once again, Potter was left to curse an improved display not backed up by the result as Chelsea’s run of form stretches to one win in nine.
