Chelsea vs Tottenham LIVE: Carabao Cup result, final score and reaction after Ben Davies’ own goal
Follow live reaction from Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between the London rivals
Chelsea seized control of their league cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur, beating their London rivals 2-0 in the first leg on Wednesday thanks to an early strike by Kai Havertz and an own goal by Spurs defender Ben Davies.
The Blues swamped their visitors right from the kickoff and, after a mix-up in the Spurs defence in the fifth minute, Havertz fired an angled shot that was goal-bound before it went in off the foot of Davinson Sanchez.
Half an hour later, the dominant hosts got their second goal, albeit with a slice of luck, when Japhet Tanganga headed away a Hakim Ziyech free kick, only for the ball to rebound into the Spurs net off Davies’ shoulder.
The win dented the hopes of Spurs, under former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, of winning a first trophy since lifting the league cup in 2008. In that time, Chelsea have won 12 major trophies including three Premier League and two Champions League titles.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel restored record signing Romelu Lukaku to the team having dropped him for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool as punishment for the Belgian saying in an interview that he was unhappy with his role at Stamford Bridge.
Lukaku went close with a first-half header, created a chance for Ziyech after the break which the Moroccan wasted and hit an injury-time shot straight at Hugo Lloris.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
84 mins: Lofuts-Cheek nicks the ball off Hojbjerg and pokes it to Kovacic. He underhits a pass to Lukaku who is forced wide on the left side fo the box. Chelsea switch the play over the the opposite wing where Pulisic attempts to carry the ball into the penalty area. He’s clipped by Ben Davies and wins a free kick about 20-yards out from goal. Prime shooting territory.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
81 mins: There’s a few more changes from both managers. Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso come on for Spurs with Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min off and Christian Pulisic replaces Hakim Ziyech for Chelsea.
Winks sends a free kick into the box for Spurs and picks out Tanganga at the near post. He’s put under pressure from Rudiger but gets to the ball first and heads it over the goal!
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
78 mins: Chance! Big chance for Chelsea to score a third. Alonso curls and cross in from the left wing and picks out Ziyech in space on the opposite side of the box. Ben Davies attempts to get back to cover the shot but Ziyech hits it on the volley and boots his effort over the crossbar!
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
75 mins: Loftus-Cheek is on for his 100th appearance for Chelsea. Chelsea give the ball back to Arrizabalaga before playing out from the back. Loftus-Cheek passes the ball to Azpilicueta but his forward pass down the right wing goes straight out of play.
Tottenham have been better in this half but they’re still not creating a great deal. Chelsea’s rapid tempo from the first 45 minutes has understandably slowed down but they still look like scoring more goals.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
72 mins: Mason Mount’s night is over as Mateo Kovacic comes on to replace the Chelsea midfielder, Saul Niguez is off too and Ruben Loftus-Cheek comes on for the last 20 minutes or so.
Harry Winks replaces Oliver Skipp for Tottenham.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
69 mins: Chance! Moura and Royal are in the action again for Spurs. Royal sends a good cross into the box and Moura meets it with a volleyed shot on the turn. He catches it well but can’t keep the shot down and the ball goes sailing over the crossbar.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
66 mins: Save! Hakim Ziyech delivers a beaut of a pass over the top to Werner from his position on the inside right. Werner brings the ball down as Lloris comes flying off his line to close him down. Werner spots the goalkeeper coming and attempts to lift his shot over him but Lloris sticks out his left hand and manages to keep the ball out!
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
63 mins: Alonso gives the ball away cheaply and Spurs sweep up the pitch with Lucas Moura in possession. He works the ball over to Emerson Royal who drills a low cross into the box but Alonso makes it back in time to block it and clear the Chelsea lines.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
60 mins: Malang Sarr goes in the book for catching Harry Kane in the face as both players challenge for a bouncing ball. Kane takes the ‘blow’ on the chin and goes down earning Spurs a free kick.
Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham
58 mins: Good work from Hojbjerg to deny Werner! Werner links up beautifully with Mount on Chelsea’s left side to bring the ball into the box. The striker drops back into space and is given the ball inside the box. He pokes a shot at goal but Hojbjerg is well positioned to block the effort and boot it clear.
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