Malmo 1 Chelsea 2: Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud on target in narrow Europa League win

JOE KRISHNAN 

Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud scored as Chelsea overcame Malmo 2-1 in the Europa League last-32 first leg to ease the pressure on Maurizio Sarri.

Barkley stabbed home on the half-hour mark before Giroud's clever flick doubled their lead. A late consolation from Anders Christiansen ensured the Swedish outfit are still in the tie, but Chelsea held on to secure their first away win since December 30.

The Italian coach was feeling the heat going into the game after a 6-0 hammering at Manchester City and Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck even made the unusual step of travelling with the team, which only fuelled suggestions that the Chelsea boss is on borrowed time.

Sarri made five changes for the trip, including a first start in four games for Giroud, but it all seemed too familiar for the Blues, who dominated the early possession but failed to create a clear-cut opportunity.

But when the chance finally arrived, the visitors took it. Giroud laid off to Pedro on the right and the Spaniard curled a cross into the box. After Lasse Nielsen missed his attempted interception, Barkley had the time to control and poke his effort past goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

The hosts should have been level shortly after, when Christiansen's dangerous delivery evaded everyone in the Chelsea box before Marcus Antonsson's shot was deflected wide.

Malmo started quickly in the second half and only crucial blocks from David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta to deny Markus Rosenberg and Arnor Traustason prevented an equaliser.

But they were made to pay for failing to take advantage when Chelsea scored a second on the counter-attack. Jorginho fed the impressive Barkley, and he found Willian.

The Brazilian skipped to his left before playing a low cross into the box and Giroud, at the front post, cleverly flicked into the empty net.

Pedro had a chance to nick a third, but his curling effort was deflected inches past the far post.

Out of nowhere, Malmo finally got the goal they deserved after some neat work from veteran striker Rosenberg. His pass found Christansen, who raced past Mateo Kovacic to slot past Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the bottom corner.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was given a brief run-out at the end as Chelsea held on. They will be sure-fire favourites to progress next week at Stamford Bridge.

Starting line-ups
Malmo: Dahlin; Vindheim, Nielsen, Bengtsson, Safari, Traustason (70), Christiansen (82), Bachirou, Rieks, Antonsson (70), Rosenberg

Substitutes: Melicharek, Larsson, Binaku, Lewicki (70), Strandberg (70), Ahmedhodzic, Gall (82)?

Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Emerson; Barkley, Jorginho (74), Kovacic; Pedro (84), Giroud, Willian (71)

Substitutes: Caballero, Rudiger, Kante (74), Higuaín, Hazard (71), Hudson-Odoi (84), Zappacosta?

Referee: Aleksey Kulbakov (Belarus)