Chelsea overturned their first-leg deficit with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.

Raheem Sterling smashed home a volley from the top of the 6-yard box just before half-time and Kai Havertz scored from the penalty spot early in the second half to send Graham Potter's struggling Chelsea past Dortmund in the round of 16.

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Chelsea, who came into the match trailing 1-0 after the first leg and having scored just once in their past four games, had multiple chances go begging in the opening 45 minutes, with Havertz hitting the post before the half-hour and then having a beautiful strike ruled out soon after for offside in the buildup.

Portugal loanee Joao Felix and defender Kalidou Koulibaly also went close and Sterling had efforts blocked, but in the 43rd minute Ben Chilwell crossed into the box and found his England teammate who opened the scoring with a close-range volley.

"It was a massive performance," Sterling told BT Sport. "We had to dig deep. We took our chances. We felt as a team we could do it. I had a little miskick with the first touch, but it landed perfectly and allowed us to build on that for our performance."

United States international Giovanni Reyna came on shortly after kickoff of the first half after Julien Brandt pulled up injured, as a lively Dortmund went into the break trailing Chelsea 1-0.

Brandt, who reached for his hamstring before asking to be subbed off, had been instrumental in Dortmund's run of 10 straight wins in all competitions -- which came to an end on Tuesday -- and has scored nine goals so far this season for Marco Rose's side.

Havertz doubled Chelsea's lead from the spot, but needed two chances to do it. The Germany international bounced his first penalty off the post, but Dortmund was called for encroachment and Havertz stepped up and buried his second try to put Chelsea up 2-0 on the night.

"I don't know what I was thinking [when it hit the post], but the referee let me retake the penalty," Havertz said. "I was a bit nervous, but I scored. I tried to wait and look at the keeper and the second one was a bit easier."

Sterling broke free on goal in the 75th minute and squared to substitute Connor Gallagher for an easy tap-in, but the linesman's flag went up for offside leaving Chelsea clinging to their narrow aggregate lead.

Christian Pulisic, who'd been out injured since Jan. 5, was brought on just after 80 minutes for Sterling, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaced Mateo Kovacic at the same time as the hosts went on to see out the result.

A smiling Potter punched the air and applauded the crowd as his team acknowledged the cheers at their home ground.

"There was a fantastic feeling in the dressing room," Potter said. "We have been through a tough period and this competition means a lot for us. We wanted to progress and get into the last eight and it sets us up for the next few weeks."

The former Brighton manager added that he had confidence in Havertz to score from the penalty spot, but was too nervous to watch.

"I wasn't watching it but delighted when I heard the roar," Potter said. "Taking penalties is not for me, so I am in awe of anybody [who does]."

Next up for Chelsea is a Premier League match against Leicester City on Saturday, while Dortmund, who are level on points with Bayern Munich atop the Bundesliga, are away to Schalke.