Pedro netted a potentially crucial away goal on the stroke of half-time as Chelsea quelled Eintracht Frankfurt in a 1-1 Europa League semi-final draw at Commerzbank-Arena.
Luka Jovic enhanced his growing reputation by scoring his 26th goal of the season, a fabulous header that put Eintracht ahead after 23 minutes of the first leg.
But Maurizio Sarri’s men turned the tide and Pedro struck an assist from Willian amid a flurry of late first-half pressure.
David Luiz hit the crossbar with a free-kick and the rested Eden Hazard was sent on after the hour mark to try to force an elusive winner, although the Premier League side remain well positioned to seal their place in the final in Baku.
Standing in their way are a Frankfurt side on target for their best domestic season since the early 1990s. They have their eyes fixed on a first Champions League appearance, which could either come via a top-four finish in the Bundesliga or Europa League success.
Chelsea’s goal this season was to achieve Champions League football for the 2019-20 campaign, and Maurizio Sarri is close to delivering just that.
The Blues have two chances of guaranteeing a return to European football’s top table, either by finishing in the top four in the Premier League, which they appear favourites to do, or by winning the Europa League.