Chelsea strolled to a 2-0 win within the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with rivals Tottenham.
Antonio Conte’s return to Stamford Bridge was not a contented one as he noticed his aspect outfought and outplayed from begin to end, with loads of work to do in the event that they’re to mount a second-leg comeback.
Chelsea made the absolute best begin and took a fifth-minute lead when Marcos Alonso intercepted a free go from Japhet Tanganga to Emerson Royal, and the Spaniard set by way of Kai Havertz to fit previous Hugo Lloris, with Davinson Sanchez unable to clear the ball off the road.
Whereas the hosts had the lion’s share of possession, they weren’t creating a lot in means of clear reduce probabilities, however they did not have to with a view to double the lead half an hour later. Tanganga didn’t clear a Chelsea free-kick, heading the straight into teammate Ben Davies and ricocheting into the web.
The returning Romelu Lukaku noticed a tame header sail simply broad of Lloris’ aim shortly earlier than the interval and Chelsea went into the break two to the nice.
Spurs’ first shot got here from a free-kick simply after half-time, with Harry Kane forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga right into a low save.
Hakim Ziyech failed to essentially bother Lloris when he was given the liberty of west London to shoot, whereas substitute Tanguy Ndombele fired over from the sting of the Chelsea space.
Spurs continued making an attempt (and sometimes failing) to make a recreation of it however the hosts continued making the higher probabilities, with Timo Werner failing to carry the ball over Lloris after being discovered by an exquisite Ziyech by way of ball.
With stoppage time approaching, Bryan Gil got here off the bench and created Tottenham’s finest likelihood, weaving previous Christian Pulisic and choosing out Kane, however the striker could not convert from shut vary.
However Chelsea held on to take a two-goal lead again to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium subsequent Wednesday and have one foot within the remaining after a dominant first-leg show.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) – 5/10 – Had little or no to do and nonetheless made a meal of issues, dropping an aerial duel to 5ft9 Lucas Moura.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) – 7/10 – Chelsea flittered between a again three and again 4, however Azpilicueta fulfilled each roles diligently.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 8/10 – Utterly pocketed Kane with ease. The England captain did not have a sniff.
Malang Sarr (CB) – 7/10 – Thrown again in on the deep finish and stayed afloat.
Marcos Alonso (LB) – 8/10 – Not for the primary time, Spurs had no reply for Alonso’s marauding runs and menace going ahead.
Saul Niguez (CM) – 8/10 – After a half-season failing to resemble a footballer, Saul put in a worthy efficiency tonight.
Jorginho (CM) – 7/10 – May have wilted developing in opposition to an aggressive Spurs midfield pairing however rose above it and performed his standard recreation.
Hakim Ziyech (RM) – 8/10 – Doubled up as a wing-back when Chelsea shifted right into a again 5. Regarded extra just like the Ziyech that tormented Europe with Ajax a few years in the past.
Mason Mount (AM) – 7/10 – The glue man. Fluttered everywhere in the pitch tidying issues up and retaining play going.
Kai Havertz (LM) – 6/10 – Scored a aim however wasn’t notably spectacular within the 40 minutes that adopted as he was changed on the break.
Romelu Lukaku (CF) – 5/10 – Did not look sharp on his return to the lineup, although precipitated Spurs issues when he dropped deep and into the channels.
Timo Werner (LW, 46′ for Havertz) – 6/10 – His motion and tempo precipitated Spurs points. His capturing didn’t.
Mateo Kovacic (CM, 73′ for Mount) – 6/10
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM, 73′ for Saul) – 6/10
Christian Pulisic (RM, 79′ for Ziyech) – N/A
Harvey Vale (RM, 90′ for Azpilicueta) – N/A
Hugo Lloris (GK) – 5/10 – Not so much he can actually do concerning the defenders in entrance of him caving in.
Japhet Tanganga (CB) – 1/10 – His poor and misjudged go led to Chelsea’s opener, his poor clearance led to their second. An evening to overlook.
Davinson Sanchez (CB) – 5/10 – Failed within the bodily duels with Lukaku, although they have been largely away from the aim. Does not possess the identical passing vary as Eric Dier and that harmed Spurs’ capability to construct from the again.
Ben Davies (CB) – 4/10 – Unfortunate for the personal aim for certain. Did not provide anyplace close to as a lot in possession as he has in latest weeks nonetheless.
Emerson Royal (RWB) – 3/10 – Completely nothing spectacular about any a part of Emerson’s recreation and that is changing into a detriment to Tottenham.
Oliver Skipp (CM) – 5/10 – Ran round a bit and was no less than tidy in possession. Good for him.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (CM) – 3/10 – A complete internet detrimental. Unable to maintain possession and Chelsea weren’t fazed by his physicality.
Matt Doherty (LWB) – 5/10 – Received ahead with function and Chelsea did not goal him. In all probability one in every of his finest performances in a Spurs shirt for these causes alone. Hooked at half-time regardless.
Lucas Moura (RW) – 5/10 – Desperate to get entangled and dropped deep to assist out however nothing was coming off.
Harry Kane (CF) – 2/10 – You’d hardly have believed Kane was taking part in. Did not even attempt to double up as a quantity six as he so typically does these days.
Son Heung-min (LW) – 2/10 – Ditto. Made no discernible impression on the sport.
Tanguy Ndombele (AM, 46′ for Doherty) – 4/10 – Introduced some speedy thrust to Spurs’ ball development earlier than fading out of the sport.
Harry Winks (CM, 73′ for Skipp) – 4/10
Giovani Lo Celso (RW, 80′ for Son) – N/A
Bryan Gil (LW, 80′ for Lucas) – N/A
