Europa League: Moses scores as Chelsea win away

The return legs will be played next week.

Nigeria’s Victor Moses was on target for Chelsea as they battled to a 2-1 victory away from home against Swiss side, FC Basel, in their first leg semi final clash on Thursday night.

The away win puts the Blues in good stead to make the final of the second tier European Cup competition after failing woefully in their attempt to defend the UEFA Champions League they won last term.

Moses who was handed a starter’s shirt by Chelsea’s interim manager, Rafael Benitez, justified the faith reposed in him as he shot the Blues ahead in the 12th minute courtesy of a pass from Frank Lampard.

Chelsea kept the lead through the first half and even to the tail of the second half before a contestable penalty was awarded to the host in the 86th and was converted by Fabian Schär who sent goalkeeper Petre Cech the wrong way.

Chelsea, however, tuned up their game and a superb free kick by Brazilian defender, David Luiz, went into the net inside stoppage time to give the London team a healthy advantage going into next week’s second leg clash at the Stamford Bridge.

For Captain Joseph Yobo, the other Nigerian also eyeing a place in the Amsterdam final of the Europa League, his club Fenerbahce managed a slim 1-0 win over Benfica as E. Korkmaz scored in the 72nd minute to the delight of the vociferous fans present at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadyumu (İstanbul).

Fenerbahçe have thus ended Lazio and now Benfica’s undefeated record in the Europa League

Despite this, it is expected to be an uphill task defending the slim win in Portugal next week.