Fuming Jude Bellingham and Ben Chilwell have to be separated as players clash during Chelsea’s win over Dortmund
FUMING Jude Bellingham and Ben Chilwell had to be separated as the England stars clashed during Chelsea’s win over Dortmund.
Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz netted either side of the break to fire the Blues to a 2-0 win and into the Champions League quarter-finals.
And as the tie was slipping away from them, Bellingham, who is a summer transfer target for Chelsea, lost his cool with Chilwell.
Dortmund star Marius Wolf and the left-back clashed in additional time, with the German midfielder running into the back of the Blues ace and shoving him.
That led to a minor melee, with Bellingham then appearing to launch a verbal tirade at Chilwell, who stood up to confront him, before a team-mate pulled the former away.
The incident led to both Chilwell and Wolf receiving yellow cards.
That capped a busy night for Chilwell, who had earlier had a smoke canister thrown at him by Dortmund fans as he waited to take a corner.
Chelsea spurned a number of first half chances prior to Sterling finally firing them ahead just before the break – though he nearly messed that up too.
Chilwell broke down the left and cutback for Sterling, whose first attempt was an air shot but he recovered the ball and rifled it past Marco Reus and the ‘keeper for his first goal since New Year’s Day.
The Blues made a flying start to the second half when, after a sharp break saw Chilwell given the room to cross, his ball struck the arm of Wolf.
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After a VAR review ref Danyy Makkelie pointed to the spot.
Havertz sent his first effort against the post but after the spot kick was ordered to be retaken due to encroachment, the German finally ended his seven-game goal drought to double the lead – slotting into the corner he was aiming for the first time around.
Bellingham told BT Sport afterwards: “I’ve not seen the incident back, from where I was it looked pretty close, I’m not sure what more you can do with the hands.”
Then, after watching the replay, he said: “It is a yard or two away. I am not too sure. I don’t want to get in trouble. That in itself was disappointing but the fact they had a retake is a joke.
“For every penalty with such a slow run up there is going to be encroachment by people running into the box by a yard or so, but that’s the game. They’ve made the decision and we’ve had to live with it.”