Two wonderful finishes by Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz earned Chelsea victory away to Red Bull Salzburg in a breathless Champions League game and sent Graham Potter’s side through to the last 16.
Midfielder Kovacic rifled in an unstoppable left-foot finish from 18 yards before Junior Adamu equalised after a wonderful pass by Maximilian Wober.
Salzburg keeper Philipp Kohn denied Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang four times while Jorginho had a header brilliantly cleared off the line by Adamu.
However, Havertz ensured Chelsea joined Premier League rivals Manchester City in the knockout stage with a sublime curling finish, before Thiago Silva was forced to clear off the line from Strahinja Pavlovic.
Chelsea has 10 points from five games in Group E, four ahead of second-placed Red Bull Salzburg with one match to go.
Potter’s side will be confirmed as group winners – and therefore seeded for the last-16 draw on 7 November – if Dinamo Zagreb fails to beat AC Milan in Croatia later on Tuesday (20:00 BST).
Chelsea qualifies for the next stage with one game to spare after ending Salzburg’s incredible 40-match unbeaten home record in a pulsating encounter.
Kohn was outstanding for the hosts as he kept out Aubameyang’s deflected header before denying Gabon forward with his leg.
But there was little the keeper could do to prevent spectacular goals by Kovacic and Havertz which were celebrated wildly by Chelsea’s 1,500 travelling fans in Austria.
There were impressive performances all over the pitch as Chelsea dug deep when they came under pressure in the second half after controlling the opening 45 minutes.
Chelsea started their Champions League campaign with Thomas Tuchel in charge and a 1-0 defeat in Croatia against Dinamo Zagreb on 6 September.
But his replacement Potter is now unbeaten in nine matches in charge as he gets ready to return to his former club Brighton on Saturday following one of the strongest performances of his Chelsea reign.
Chelsea’s final group game is at home to Dinamo Zagreb on 2 November.
Their qualification for the next stage will allow Potter the option to rest key players for Zagreb before the heavyweight London derby at home to Arsenal on 6 November (12:00).
source – BBC Sport
