| Bayern Munich players celebrate after the match |
Serge Gnabry fired two goals in four minutes to give Chelsea a Champions League mountain to climb as Bayern Munich stung the 10-man Blues 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Former Arsenal youngster Gnabry and arch finisher Robert Lewandowski twice punished Chelsea with deadly one-two combinations to secure a comprehensive win in west London.
Bayern boss Hansi Flick declared Poland hitman Lewandowski to be “in the form of his life” in the build-up to this last-16 first leg, and the 31-year-old duly tapped home a third for the rampant Bavarians.
Chelsea’s miserable night was compounded by a red card for Marcos Alonso, who was dismissed after a Video Assistant Referee review ruled he had whacked Lewandowski in the face.
The Blues will also be without Jorginho for the return leg in Munich on March 18, after the Italy midfielder picked up a cheap yellow card for dissent.
Chelsea were by far the happier side to reach the interval with the scores deadlocked.
Kingsley Coman shot wide, Lewandowski drew two sharp saves from Willy Caballero and Thomas Muller struck the bar with a cute back-header.
The Blues were not without their chances however, with Olivier Giroud heading on target but via the turf, with the bounce removing any sting in the effort.
Ross Barkley miscued a cross with Mount lurking unmarked in the centre, and Alonso cut inside before drawing a solid parry from Manuel Neuer.
Bayern were in no mood to waste any more chances after the turnaround though, and quickly took control.
First Lewandowski cut back in hugely unselfish move, to lay the opener on a silver platter for former Gunner Gnabry.
Cesar Azpilicueta’s luckless slip let the Bavarians in behind the home defence, and Lewandowski squared when he could have fired home.
The Poland striker’s deft pass let Gnabry blast in with ease though, and almost as soon as Bayern were ahead, they doubled that advantage.
Lewandowski drifted out to the left wing, flicked a header inside for Gnabry – he raced onto the ball and fed his striker again.
And once more Lewandowski returned the compliment, with Gnabry racing through before feathering the ball into the far corner past a blameless Caballero.
Andreas Christensen was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a handball, but Bayern were not to be denied a third goal.
Alphonso Davies raced down the left and teed up Lewandowski for a tap-in, with the Poland poacher not to be denied his obligatory goal.
Press Association