Chelsea advance to Carabao Cup final
Sports Desk, Jan 12 (EFE).- Chelsea are headed to their third final since Thomas Tuchel became coach a little less than a year ago after holding Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Wednesday in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal tie for a 3-0 aggregate victory.
The Blues have hoisted one trophy – the Champions League – with Tuchel at the helm, while they came up short against Leicester City in last year’s FA Cup final.
Spurs faced an uphill battle after losing the first leg 2-0 and while Antonio Conte’s men displayed plenty of energy, they lacked quality against a superior opponent.
Chelsea started the match in determined pursuit of another goal to seal the win.
Timo Werner came close and Romelu Lukaku forced a stop from goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, playing in place of starter and Spurs captain Hugo Lloris.
In the 18th minute, Gollini came off his line and made a failed attempt to secure the ball that left the way open for Antonio Rüdiger to make it 3-0.
The supporters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had to wait more than a half-hour for something to cheer, in the form of chances for Pierre-Emile Hojberg and Harry Kane.
Things appeared to be looking up for the hosts when the referee pointed to the spot after an encounter between Rüdiger and Hojberg on the edge of the Chelsea box. But the penalty was overturned after a VAR review.
A second penalty for Spurs after Lucas Moura went down as Chelsea keeper Kepa rushed out to make a stop was likewise overturned.
Kane thought he had narrowed the deficit in the 61st, but the goal was disallowed for an offside.
The Feb. 27 final at Wembley will feature Chelsea against the winner of the other semifinal between Arsenal and Liverpool, which gets under way Thursday after a week’s delay due to Covid-19. EFE er/dr
