Chelsea ease past Spurs at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
By Haran Naresh

Chelsea brushed Tottenham Hotspur aside to secure a place in the Carabao Cup final.

Spurs trailed 2-0 from the first leg and were once again outplayed by their London rivals.

Antonio Rudiger’s first-half effort gave Chelsea the win on the night and secured them a comprehensive victory on aggregate.

In spite of this, Spurs were still able to create some moments of discomfort for Chelsea. The hosts had a goal and two penalties overturned by VAR.

The game was cagey in the early stages, with both teams struggling to build momentum.

In the ninth minute Tottenham failed to clear their lines and Timo Werner attempted a chip which went off target.

The visitors missed a big opportunity when Antonio Rudiger found Romelu Lukaku with an excellent long pass and he chested the ball down and fired straight at Pierluigi Gollini.

With 13 minutes gone Lucas Moura went on a strong run before screwing his effort well wide.

Werner went in behind and drove past Davinson Sanchez before playing across goal to Callum Hudson-Odoi whose shot was blocked.

In the 17th minute Werner cut inside and hit a shot which was deflected behind. Chelsea started to take control of the game.

The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute from the resulting corner and stretched their advantage in the tie. Mason Mount’s delivery was met by Rudiger, who beat Spurs goalkeeper Gollini to the ball and sent it in off his back.

With 23 minutes on the clock Hudson-Odoi cut inside and forced Gollini to push the ball wide.

Chelsea were keeping possession with ease and had Spurs penned back in their own half.

In the 32nd minute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had a shot which deflected narrowly wide. From the resulting corner Sanchez’s flick on flew just beyond the reach of Harry Kane at the back post.

Emerson Royal ran in behind the Chelsea defence but could only muster a weak effort which was easily saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute. Hojbjerg broke clear and was brought down by Rudiger on the edge of the penalty area. Following a VAR check, referee Andre Marriner changed his decision and awarded a free-kick after replays showed that the foul was committed outside the box.

On the stroke of half-time Ben Davies sent a shot wide. Tottenham were belatedly showing some attacking intent.

Two minutes into the second half Rudiger rose above Japhet Tanganga at a corner and headed over.

With 56 minutes gone Tottenham were awarded a penalty once again. Kane broke clear and played in Lucas Moura who went down under the challenge of Kepa Arrizabalaga. Andre Marriner reversed his decision after replays showed that Arrizabalaga got the ball before Moura went over his leg.

Spurs created their best opportunity of the game on the hour mark when Davies picked out Royal whose header was well saved by Arrizabalaga.

The home team were having their best spell of the game.

Tottenham scored a goal in the 63rd minute which was ruled out by VAR. Hojbjerg dispossessed Jorginho on the edge of the box and Moura then passed to Kane who slotted into the net.

The goal was disallowed after replays showed that Kane was in an offside position when Moura laid the ball off to him.

In the 70th minute Marcos Alonso picked out Lukaku and he blazed well over with his volley.

Chelsea began to sit back at this point and they were easily keeping Spurs at bay.

With 79 minutes gone Harry Winks had a speculative effort sail well over the bar.

Mount volleyed off target from Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick.

The game was halted for a few minutes due to a medical emergency in the crowd.

Spurs gave themselves a mountain to climb after the first leg and they once again delivered a weak, passive display. The gulf between the two sides is significant at the moment.

Tottenham return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Arsenal in the North London derby.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte speaking in his post-match press conference: “In the first half we struggled a bit. I think in the second half the performance was good and the intensity was high.”

“I think we deserved a better final result today but I think that after these two games Chelsea deserved to reach the final in this competition.”

On his decision to play Pierluigi Gollini instead of Hugo Lloris: “Pierluigi has always played in the Carabao competition and the Conference League.”

“When you are in a team like Tottenham it is important to give a chance to the keeper because he has showed to be reliable. We have to play three games in seven days and I think he deserved this chance.”

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