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Football London
Football London
Sport
Louie Chandler

'Roman Abramovich quest is finally over' - National media reaction to Chelsea Club World Cup win

Chelsea finally added the FIFA Club World Cup to their trophy cabinet on Saturday evening after beating Palmeiras 2-1 in the United Arab Emirates.

A 1-0 victory against Al Hilal booked their place in the final and a victory against the Brazilian giants would be required to land the one trophy that has alluded the Blues in Roman Abramovich's reign.

It was Kai Havertz who was the hero again, holding his nerve impressively to score a 117th minute winner after Romelu Lukaku's opener had been cancelled out by Raphael Veiga's spot-kick.

There will have been a late night of celebrating among the players but how did Britain's national media react to the victory?

BBC Sport

"Much like in their semi-final win against Al-Hilal, Chelsea dominated possession but struggled to create chances for much of the final in the United Arab Emirates.

"Then nine minutes after the break, Lukaku made the breakthrough when Callum Hudson-Odoi sent in his first pinpoint cross and the Belgium striker powered a header past Weverton.

"But just past the hour mark, Palmeiras equalised when Thiago Silva was adjudged to have handled in the area and, after a check on the pitch-side monitor, Veiga converted emphatically from 12 yards to send the game into extra time.

"With a penalty shoot-out looming, Chelsea secured the trophy with a spot-kick of their own. Luan's handball was also checked on the monitor before Germany playmaker Havertz fired home."

Send your messages of congratulations to the Chelsea players here!

The Mirror

"For £97.5million, Chelsea fans are rightly frustrated with Lukaku's underwhelming output since his return to Stamford Bridge last summer.

"After 8 goals in 25 games, the big Belgian has shone since swapping the heat of Premier League criticism for Abu Dhabi's hot temperatures.

"Having scored the only goal in the semi-final, Lukaku continued his fine form in the Middle East by emphatically headed home Hudson-Odoi's pinpoint delivery in the 55th minute.

"His goal broke the deadlock to give Chelsea the lead and sparked a game - which until that stage had been bereft of excitement - into life."

The Guardian

"The quest is finally over. Chelsea can say that they have won the lot under Roman Abramovich. They were determined not to fly home empty-handed this time and, 10 years on from losing the final of the Club World Cup to Corinthians, the celebrations were joyous once the full-time whistle had confirmed that Chelsea had not stumbled again against stubborn Brazilian opponents.

"Perhaps it had to be this way. Stodgy in attack, there was a predictability to Chelsea leaving it late on a tense evening at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

"Thomas Tuchel’s side kept going and they would be rewarded for their persistence when Kai Havertz, one of Abramovich’s biggest investments, saw a chance to make more history in a blue shirt.

"The 22-year-old German nervelessly sent Weverton the wrong way and although Chelsea had laboured for long spells, they had managed not to fluff their lines in front of Abramovich."

Sky Sports News

"The Brazilian club from Sao Paolo produced a fine performance of industry and endeavour in stifling Chelsea, but the Londoners' superior quality and grit eventually told.

"To add to their status as Champions League and European Super Cup holders, Chelsea are now world champions for the first time.

"The onlooking Roman Abramovich appeared as nervy as the smattering of Chelsea fans, at one point caught hugging his knees amid the tension of a sultry Abu Dhabi night.

"But the billionaire has now overseen Chelsea's full house of major club titles, since purchasing the club in 2003."

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