Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Jack Rathborn

Europa League final, Chelsea vs Arsenal: Sadiq Khan congratulates Blues for Baku victory and 'flying the flag' for London

London Mayor Sadiq Khan congratulated Chelsea for beating Arsenal 4-1 in Baku to win the Europa League.

Eden Hazard inspired victory for Maurizio Sarri’s side before confirming he will bring an end to his time at Stamford Bridge after seven years. 

Olivier Giroud and Pedro also scored, while Petr Cech played his final game of a glittering career, with the Arsenal goalkeeper expected to join his former club Chelsea as a director. 

Khan tweeted: “Congratulations to ChelseaFC on their victory at the Europa League final tonight. Fantastic to see two of London’s top teams flying the flag for our city in Europe. #ARSvsCHE #UELfinal”

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpililicueta won a second Europa League title with the club and posted a picture of himself and Gary Cahill celebrating their 2013 win on Instagram, along with the caption ‘#6yearschallenge’.

Gary Lineker was also full of praise for Chelsea and particularly Hazard after his match-winning performance in the Azerbaijan capital.

Lineker tweeted: “Congratulations to ChelseaFC on winning the Europa League. Superb 2nd half performance and a brilliant display from hazardeden10 ....possibly his last for the club. Boy, they’ll miss him if he goes.”

Former players Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack also extended their best wishes to the club.

As did Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was unable to play after rupturing his Achilles tendon, and Chelsea Women.

On the other side of the coin, Arsenal fans and former players were left disappointed by Arsenal’s performance.

Hazard was too good for Arsenal in Baku (Reuters)

Gunners fan Piers Morgan was less than impressed with the performance of Mesut Ozil in the game and then called for a major overhaul at the Emirates.

Former Arsenal striker John Hartson was also critical of the display.

PA also contributed to this report

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.