[ad_1]
Chelsea beat Arsenal, its London rival, in the Europa League final tonight, winning four goals to one.
Russian owner Roman Abramovich, who was attending his first game of the year in Chelsea after his exclusion from the UK as a result of a repressive operation against an oligarch, led the celebrations.
The two London clubs met in the Azerbaijani capital during the first of two European finals 100% English this week.
After a quiet first period, Chelsea proved to be too good for Arsenal, comfortably defeating his fans at the end, while his supporters were wildly celebrating in London's stadium, pubs and bars.
Arsenal fans, on the other hand, seemed discouraged after the match, some even bursting into tears as they watched as their team collapsed in the face of a heavy defeat.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Armenian star of Arsenal, had not traveled with his team because of tensions between his country and the hosts. The final was also criticized. UEFA has also been criticized for the organization of the event.
Thousands of empty seats were exposed throughout the match tonight, with critical supporters on social networks.
Chelsea players and staff celebrate after winning the Europa League after dominant second-half victory over London rivals Arsenal in Baku
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich looked delighted to see his team win the Europa League final after crushing Arsenal, his London rival
It was the first game the Chelsea owner had attended this season, following the British crackdown on oligarchs in the country.
Chelsea star Eden Hazard (left) and club captain Cesar Azpilicueta embrace the trophy after a successful night in Baku
Exalted Chelsea fans celebrate wildly as their teams take a 4-1 lead against Arsenal in the Europa League final in Baku
Chelsea fans attending the Europa League final in London celebrate their victory. Many fans could not make it to the finals
A young fan of Arsenal wipes a tear as he sees his team succumb to a defeat in the Europa League final against Chelsea
A helpless Arsenal fan reacts after seeing his team be outdone by Chelsea in the final. Chelsea's win means they've added a fifth European trophy to their cabinet
Chelsea took the lead in the second half after striker Olivier Giroud, who had spent a long time at Arsenal, scored a cross from the left wing after 49 minutes
Arsenal's Mesut Ozil seems shot down in the UEFA Europa League final after Chelsea star Eden Hazard scored the fourth goal for his team
Chelsea fans celebrate after seeing their team beat Arsenal in the Europa League final to give them their first trophy of the season
It was too much for some Arsenal fans who covered their faces and sobbed while thinking about tonight's match result
Forward Olivier Giroud, who played for a long time at Arsenal, gave the current Chelsea team the lead after 49 minutes, chasing a header from the left.
Spanish winger Pedro added a second goal ten minutes later, before Eden Hazard scored a penalty at 65 minutes.
Arsenal's substitute, Alex Iwobi, scored a point for his team before Hazard added a fourth for Chelsea shortly thereafter.
"We had ups and downs, but we improved, learned a lot and finished very well. Sarri is a great guy, a great person and a great coach so he deserves it, "said defenseman David Luiz.
Gary Lineker was among the stars to congratulate Chelsea after their victory: "Congratulations to @ChelseaFC for winning the Europa League. Superb 2nd half performance and superb @ hazardeden10 screen … maybe the last for the club. Dude, he will miss him if he goes.
Chelsea fans celebrate the first goal by watching the UEFA Europa League final at Chelsea Pensioner, London
A delighted Chelsea fan celebrates in the stadium after seeing his team defeat rivals Arsenal in the Europa League final
Arsenal fans seemed discouraged to see their team lose to Chelsea. Their defeat means that they still have not won a European trophy since 1994
Pedro, Chelsea, scores his second goal in the UEFA Europa League final against Arsenal tonight
Chelsea star Eden Hazard scores a penalty to put his team 3-0 against London rivals in the Europa League final today
This victory means that Chelsea have won three European titles in seven years, with the triumph of the Champions League in 2012 and their first win in the Europa League in 2013.
On the other hand, Arsenal have now lost five of their six European finals and won their only victory in the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup against Parma.
The win means that Chelsea have won three European titles in seven years, with the triumph of the Champions League in 2012, followed by their first win in the Europa League in 2013.
However, Arsenal lost five of its six European finals and won its only victory in the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup against Parma.
Chelsea fans cheered on Eden Stars, his replacement, in the final minutes. He looked upset, holding his hand with his eyes.
The Belgian winger announced that he wanted to settle in Real Madrid in the coming months.
"My dream was to play in the Premier League and I did it for seven years," said Hazard, who joined Chelsea in 2012 shortly after the final whistle. "Maybe I think it's time to say goodbye."
"We'll decide in a few days and the only goal in my mind was to win this final. I've already made my decision and now I'm waiting for both clubs. I think it's a goodbye, but in football, you never know.
Despite the slowness of the first half, Chelsea went into high gear, scoring three goals less than 20 minutes after the restart.
The delighted Chelsea players harbaded Giroud after his goal, with the French striker kneeling to celebrate.
Chelsea's delighted supporters celebrate the UEFA Europa League final at London's BoxPark, behind a group of Arsenal fans, shot dead
But Eden Hazard has again scored to give Chelsea a three-goal lead in what many see as his last game for the club.
Arsenal's replacement, Alex Iwobi, gave his team the brief hope of a comeback after a superb long-term goal shortly after Chelsea's third goal.
Rows of empty seats among supporters in the UEFA Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal at the Baku Olympic Stadium
Forward Giroud, who already had a lot of success with Arsenal before settling in Chelsea, said after the match, "I'm very proud because this team deserved to win something.
"We lost the League Cup against Manchester City, but this one is special, the second best cup in Europe. It was very special for me and I am very happy for the team. & # 39;
Giroud's celebrations were reduced to nothing after scoring against his former team and he added: "I have left so many friends at Arsenal, this club has changed my life, allowed me to live my dream of becoming a reality by playing in the Premier League.
"I owe them a lot, I will never forget it, that 's why I did not want to celebrate, but on the other hand, I'm so proud to win that with Chelsea. I am really a real blue.
Empty seats were on display all over the floor, especially in the stands of Arsenal and Chelsea fans, as many English fans struggled to get to Baku.
Many Twitter users commented on the empty seats and complained about the lack of atmosphere during the match.
A spectacular fireworks fire took place before tonight's send-off, although much of the ground still seemed not filled.
Chelsea fans will cheer on their squad ahead of the Europa League final match against England compatriot Arsenal tonight
The supporters of both teams were well heard, even though only 6,000 people had to come from England.
The match was the last chance for both teams to win a trophy this year, after a difficult season for both managers.
A pyrotechnic show and a performance by London artist Jonas Blue took place before the match.
The first half was relatively calm, with neither team scoring the first goal – although both had opportunities.
Chelsea nearly scored a goal when striker Olivier Giroud forced Arsenal keeper Petr Cech to make a small stop.
Arsenal also caused problems for his opponents with midfielder Granit Xhaka, who went missing from afar.
However, the first half was blank and both teams apparently felt the pressure of the great opportunity.
Some observers have gone on Twitter to criticize the entertainment presented, while reproaching UEFA for the number of empty seats.
Arsenal fans in the crowd waiting for the kickoff of the final of the Europa League – the crowd should be composed mainly of local
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech had to make a good save against Olivier Giroud, the Chelsea striker, but neither team managed to score in the first period.
Supporters posed for photos and selfies in front of the stadium before the match, which shone from a bright orange to dusk. One of them even disguised as Big Ben to bring a touch of London on this occasion.
Many locals were present and a relatively small number of fans from Arsenal and Chelsea were present.
The two clubs received 12,000 tickets between them for the final of the centerpiece in a stadium with 69,870 seats.
But they ended up sending back about half of their tickets, with supporters facing great difficulties in terms of travel costs.
Arsenal striker Alexander Lacazette also had an appeal on appeal but had not managed a first half in a cage between the two teams.
The Russian owner of Chelsea, Roman Abramovich, seems relaxed in the stands during the final of the UEFA Europa League tonight
The first half went smoothly. Both teams tried the goal, but none managed to find the breakthrough.
With a relatively small number of British fans heading to Baku, many went to London pubs to watch the match. Including these Chelsea fans
Arsenal fans who failed to secure tickets to attend the Europa League final at Twelve Pins Pub in Finsbury Park, London
The Arsenal team formation before the finals tonight against Chelsea, his fierce local opponent. The match is Arsenal's last chance to qualify for the prestigious Champions League next year
Chelsea players line up for the UEFA Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Eden Hazard, Chelsea's top player and widely regarded as one of the best in the world, is warming up before the 20h sendoff
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) and Mesut Ozil during the warm-up before the match. Both players should play a crucial role in tonight's match
Arsenal players warm up before the match, which is the only chance for both teams to finish the season with a trophy
Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain, English midfielder George McEachran and England defender Gary Cahill leave the field after the warm-up before the match
Local football fans in the stands before the final of the UEFA Europa League at the Baku Olympic Stadium, capital of Azerbaijan
The coup in Baku is at 8:00 pm local time in Azerbaijan.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that two fans had been injured in violent clashes.
Local reports in Baku indicate that two supporters were taken to the hospital all night and treated for their injuries.
Baku-based Haqqin.az newspaper revealed the report on Wednesday morning, although there has been no confirmation from any of the clubs since.
The spokesman of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Health, Parviz Abubekirov, revealed that a British supporter had been hospitalized for an open-head injury and bruising "as a result of an altercation between supporters of the two football teams ".
A group of Arsenal fans get a selfie in front of the Baku Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night
A group of Chelsea fans pose with a flag before the Europa League final in Baku
Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, talks with Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA, in the stands before the final of the UEFA Europa League
Photographed Arsenal fans would have gathered in the downtown area earlier in the day before the final.
An Arsenal supporter shows his flag as the kickoff of the match is given on Wednesday
Chelsea supporters wave flags and pose in front of the stadium in Baku to take pictures
The anticipation built all day in the Azerbaijani capital before the big match
A fan disguised as Big Ben to bring a touch of London to the final 100% English
Les sections locales étaient en force alors que l'accumulation de la pièce maîtresse de mercredi soir s'est ralentie
Un couple de supporters a décidé de s'habiller pour l'occasion au stade olympique de Bakou
Une fanfare déguisée en Royal Guards pour créer une atmosphère de plein air
Source link