Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud scored as Chelsea earned a 2-1 win away to Malmo in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 meeting.
Chelsea had lost their past four straight away games in all competitions without scoring, a run that had its nadir in Sunday’s 6-0 humiliation at the hands of Premier League champions Manchester City.
Chelsea took the lead with the game’s first shot on target after 30 minutes.
Pedro floated in a cross from the right channel, and after defender Lasse Nielsen slipped, Barkley collected the ball and stabbed it past goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.
Arnor Ingvi Traustason fired wide at the end of a goalmouth scramble as a series of set-pieces caused Chelsea problems before the break, but Malmo’s wasted openings were punished in the 58th minute.
Brazil winger Willian raided down the left and fed Giroud, who cleverly beat Dahlin with an improvised close-range finish to score in his fourth consecutive European appearance.
Dahlin made a great save to deny Barkley his second of the game, but after the introduction of Eden Hazard as a substitute, Chelsea were caught on the counter.
Christiansen burst on to a perfectly played through ball by Markus Rosenberg and beat Kepa Arrizabalaga with a placed finish to cut the Swedish side’s deficit ahead of next week’s Stamford Bridge return.
What does it mean? Chelsea stick to same ‘Sarriball’ style
Suffering a record Premier League defeat would have prompted a tactical rethink from many managers.
But the under-pressure Sarri is unlike most coaches, and Chelsea lined up with exactly the same system, although Malmo – playing their first competitive game since the end of the group stage in December – were unable to take full advantage of obvious defensive weaknesses.
Barkley bounces back
Among Chelsea’s worst performers at the Etihad Stadium, where his awful headed error gifted Sergio Aguero a simple goal, Barkley produced an improved performance that was capped with a well-taken opener from one of the few clear chances on offer.
Nielsen slip lets Barkley in
A tight first half needed a defensive mistake to give Barkley his chance. Nielsen picked a bad moment to lose his footing and Malmo’s composure and competitiveness then ebbed away before a late rally.
What’s next?
The second leg is a week away, but before that Chelsea host Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday. Malmo, meanwhile, also have a cup game next with Degerfors the visitors to Swedbank Stadion on Sunday.
