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As it happenedended

PAOK vs Chelsea – as it happened: Willian strike gets Blues off to winning start

Re-live the action from the Group L match in Thessaloniki

Michael Jones
Thursday 20 September 2018 11:56 BST
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PAOK v Chelsea: Europa League match preview

Chelsea head to Greece's second city to face PAOK without Eden Hazard after Maurizio Sarri granted the in-form Belgian a rest.

Hazard has been in scintillating form for the Blues at the start of the Premier League campaign but told his manager he was tired and needed a break. David Luiz has also been excused from the trip.

PAOK finished second in the Greek last season, behind AEK Athens, and venture into the Europa League for the seventh time. They have never made it beyond the last 32 but boast a unbeaten record against English clubs from four games, with a win and a draw against Arsenal (in 1997-98) and Tottenham Hotspur (in 2011-12).

Follow the match below with our live blog:

What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 5.55pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be televised live on BT Sport.

What are the odds?

Chelsea win 4/7

Draw 3/1

PAOK win 11/2

4 mins: PAOK 0 - 0 Chelsea

PAOK seem content to drop off Chelsea and win the ball in mid-field, this is giving Chelsea easy access to the wide areas but makes the middle of the park quite congested.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:01

6 mins: GOAL! PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea - Willian

Chelsea are in front! Great play form Ross Barkley, he receives the ball just past the halfway line and with his first touch breaks past PAOK's mid-field, he runs down the centre before releasing Willian on the left and Chelsea's no. 22 has no problem finding the back of the net. 

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:02

9 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea

PAOK have slightly changed formation moving to two upfront but it does them no good as Zappacosta gives the ball to Pedro on the right hand side, who then whips it into the box. Morata wins the header but sends it wide of goal, it should be 2-0 that was a great chance.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:06

12 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea

Pelkas delivers a corner for PAOK, Varela times his jump well and wins the ball but he can't control it and it goes over the bar. 

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:08

14 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea

Willian wins a corner for Chelsea down the left hand side. He whips it in and Paschalakis comes to claim the ball misses it completely and the referee gives a foul. PAOK's keeper is a lucky man right there after that mistake.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:10

17 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea

Chelsea keep hold of the ball, being patient in their build up. The crowd boo every pass with thunderous voice as Alonso tries to flick the ball over Vierinha as Willian makes a run into the box but the pass is too hard and the goalkeeper claims the ball to cheers from the crowd.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:13

19 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea 

Chance! Morata gets another chance on goal as Rudiger hits and long ball over the top and the Chelsea striker controls it well going past the Varela. He looks up and shoots across goal only for the ball to go past the far post. 

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:16

23 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea

Good play from Jaba, PAOK get the ball after Alsono puts it into their area, Jaba recieves it and runs two thirds of the pitch before winning a throw in deep in Chelsea's half. The ball comes back into play and Chelsea win it back almost nonchalantly. 

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:20

26 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea

Chelsea dominating possession, they had 73% of it so far. A lot of that has been slowly building from the back Kante and Jorginho trying to create space for the front three to get in behind the defence. Another goal is only a matter of time away 

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:22

28 mins: PAOK 0 - 1 Chelsea

Willian dinks the ball into the path of Morata who moves the ball from his left to his right foot, undoing the defender in the process before firing a shot over the bar. He may be low on confidence but he's not afraid to shoot when he gets a chance.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 18:24

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