Chelsea edged past Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final on penalties. The Blues won the second leg of the cup tie, but it ended in a draw on overall results with Spurs finding the back of the net through Fernando Llorente in the second half of the match. The first half belonged to the Blues as N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard scored the goals to overturn the slim one-goal lead that their London rivals had after the first leg of the semi-final.
In the shootout, the Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Lucas Moura’s effort after Eric Dier skied his effort from the spot. All the Chelsea penalty kick takers found the back of the net and sent their side into the final of the Carabao Cup.
Here is how the Chelsea players were rated from their win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: 7
The Spaniard had a decent game in goal for the Blues. Could have done nothing for the goal. Did well to shut out Moura in the penalty shootout.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7
Kept making the runs down the flank and delivered a few good balls in the danger area, one of which ended up in the net with some help from Hazard. Could have done better to stop Danny Rose from delivering the cross that resulted in Llorente’s goal.
David Luiz: 8
Superb athleticism from the veteran Brazilian as he took a few knocks as well. Kept his composure while taking the spot kick to send his side into the final.
Antonio Rudiger: 6
Played well to support his partner in the backline. Could have done better to restrict Llorente from scoring the goal in the second half.
Emerson Palmieri: 6
Decent performance from the Brazilian. Delivered a brilliant ball to find Olivier Giroud right at the end of the match but the Frenchman squandered the chance.
Jorginho: 7
Made several good runs into the opposition half to initiate the attack. Put the ball in the back of the net in the penalty shootout.
Ross Barkley: 6
Struggled to get the ball away from the Spurs players in the second half. Made way for Mateo Kovacic.
N’Golo Kante: 7
Superb composure in the heart of the pitch as he broke down the Spurs attack on many occasions. Was a little lucky to get the goal after his strike missed a crowd of legs and went into the goal off Paulo Gazzaniga’s thigh.
Pedro: 6
Deceived the opposition defenders with his skills but looked a bit fatigued as the game went on. Was withdrawn to bring on Willian.
Eden Hazard: 8
Brilliant performance from the Belgian superstar as he found acres of space and had a number of shots on the Tottenham goal. Scored the second goal for his side as he met the cross by Azpilicueta on the end of a perfectly timed run.
Olivier Giroud: 5
Another disappointing performance from the Frenchman as he squandered a brilliant chance to win the match for Chelsea right at the end of the game.
Substitutes
Willian: 6
Did well to deceive the opposition with his classy footwork.
Mateo Kovacic: 6
Initiated attacks from the midfield with his passing.
