Chelsea take a two-goal lead into Carabao Cup second leg

Tottenham Hotspur have it all to do in the second leg after Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Action: The Romelu Lukaku novella looks to have closed as Thomas Tuchel put Belgian striker back in the first team for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur. Lukaku had a chance to strike almost immediately but chose to try and find a teammate when in a good position.

Chelsea took the lead after just five minutes when Marcos Alonso robbed Emerson Royal high up the field and played in Kai Havertz. The German’s strike was put in the net by Davison Sánchez’s outstretched foot. 

The home side dominated proceedings after taking an early lead with Spurs finding it difficult to keep hold of the ball. 

The Blues second goal was farcical. Hakim Ziyech’s freekick from the right was met by Japhet Tanganga who looked to head the ball clear. Instead, his header struck Ben Davies and then bounced into the Spurs goal – a comical scene.

Chelsea were well worth their two-goal lead though and they almost made it three just before half-time when Ziyech’s cross was headed just past the post by Lukaku. 

Spurs did improve slightly after the break, Harry Kane forcing a save out of Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, Tuchel’s team soon took charge of the game again. 

With 66 minutes gone Ziyech played a delightful ball down the middle for substitute Timo Werner. The German’s control wasn’t the best allowing Hugo Lloris time to come out of goal and get a hand to Werner’s looping effort.

The visitors did have one more chance to pull a goal back before the end when Bryan Gil made a run from the left and pulled the ball back for Giovani Lo Celso, but the Argentinian’s shot was easily gathered by Kepa. 

Big Picture: Chelsea will be happy not only with taking a two-goal lead into the second leg next week but also by the manner in which they won the game. The Blues were in total control and never really looked like they were likely to concede.

It wasn't a happy return to Stamford Bridge for Antonio Conte. But one silver lining is that his side are still in this fixture. However, they'll need a much, much-improved performance to turn it around.

Man of the Match: Hakim Ziyech was Chelsea's best creative output, creating numerous chances for his team as well as having a quasi-assist for Spurs' own goal. 

.@ChelseaFC well in control! #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/3xgY8AZVTd

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 5, 2022