Late inspiration

Marcos Alonso's late header handed Chelsea a narrow 1-0 victory in their Europa League quarter-final first-leg with Slavia Prague.

The game was a turgid affair and Chelsea flattered to deceive for much of the half. They failed to muster a single shot on target, although Willian did strike the bar after cutting onto his right foot on the edge of the box.

Alonso ghosted in to meet Willian's inch-perfect ball with four minutes of normal time remaining to give Chelsea a scarcely deserved win in the Czech Republic.

Alonso has been a bit-part player in recent weeks after seeing a dip in form, but his header from Willian's cross ensures Maurizio Sarri's favourites for the competition are in the driving seat ahead of next week's home leg at Stamford Bridge.

Full-time: Slavia Prague 0-1 Chelsea 🙌

We have the advantage in this quarter-final tie courtesy of a @marcosalonso03 header! #SLACHE pic.twitter.com/hlOqwWTidU

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 11, 2019