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Calamitous Tottenham gift Chelsea the advantage in first leg of League Cup semi-final

Jason Burt
·20-min read
Chelsea vs Tottenham live, Carabao Cup semi-final: score and latest updates from first leg - PA
Chelsea vs Tottenham live, Carabao Cup semi-final: score and latest updates from first leg - PA

If Romelu Lukaku scored an own goal with his controversial television interview then Tottenham calamitously struck a couple themselves as Chelsea took control of this League Cup semi-final tie.

Lukaku was recalled to lead the line by Thomas Tuchel, having been dropped for last weekend’s Premier League encounter against Liverpool, and played his part as his team forced Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies to turn the ball into their own net. Sanchez’s was credited to Kai Havertz but it felt self-inflicted.

For Spurs’ head coach Antonio Conte this was an unhappy return to the club he led to great success, before it ended so acrimoniously, although there will be relief that his present team did not lose by a score-line that would have reflected more clearly Chelsea’s undoubted superiority.

They had the chances, they had lots of chances, and they could have emphatically ended any doubt ahead of next week’s second leg even if they go into it as clear favourites. But Spurs are at least somehow still in it even if Conte, afterwards, sounded like he felt it was over. He talked as if reaching the semi-final was as far as this Spurs team can go and spoke solemnly about the task ahead in trying to bridge the gap. And he was not talking about between now and next Wednesday.

Conte continued to emphasise the gulf between the two teams, and alarmingly Spurs were closer to full strength than Chelsea, and maybe that explained why he was strangely subdued on the touchline. He was pensive. He looked a little tortured at times as the superiority was rammed home before him.

Even so, for Spurs the first-half was bordering on the inept. They made a better fist of it after that, and even achieved a couple of dangerous efforts at goal, but never really got close as to the delight of their gloating fans Chelsea threatened to overwhelm them. There was more than one chorus of ‘ole’ as Spurs players desperately chased shadows on a chastening night.

At the same time the concern for Chelsea is they did not capitalise on their dominance and were actually reliant on the blunders of their opponents for both goals on an evening that Japhet Tanganga, in particular, will want to forget. Tanganga was in a tangle throughout and how Spurs missed Eric Dier at the heart of their defence.

The other note of worry for Chelsea, who were without Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante through Covid, was yet more injuries. They lost Havertz who appeared to badly hurt his hand in scoring his goal and, late on, captain Cesar Azpilicueta to an apparent hamstring problem.

The first goal was an utter shambles. The second even more so. Spurs were overwhelmed from the start, pressed back and Tanganga was flustered and woefully under-hit a pass intended for Emerson Royal with Marcos Alonso quickly stealing in to push the ball forward to Havertz. Through on goal he shot low across Hugo Lloris with Sanchez attempting to cut it out – only to send the ball high beyond the goalkeeper. The goal was awarded to Havertz, his effort was probably on target, but it felt like an own goal for Spurs.

Kai Havertz of Chelsea scores their team's first goal past Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 05, 2022 in London, England.  - GETTY IMAGES
Kai Havertz of Chelsea scores their team's first goal past Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 05, 2022 in London, England. - GETTY IMAGES

If there was doubt over that one then there was no question over the second goal. A free-kick was needlessly conceded by Sanchez, as he hacked down Lukaku when he could simply have ushered the striker away from danger, and Hakim Ziyech swung it in from the right with Tanganga running back only to head the ball against Ben Davies’s shoulder with it flying beyond the helpless Lloris. That was borderline comical and the look of disgust on the face of the Spurs captain summed it all up.

Were Spurs unlucky? Certainly not. Chelsea had failed to take two outstanding chances. Firstly another attempted clearance, this time by

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, cannoned off the heel of team-mate Oliver Skipp and rebounded to Havertz. In the Spurs penalty area he was unmarked, he had time, he had space but he snatched at it and scuffed his shot straight at Lloris. Then a corner ran through to Antonio Rudiger who mis-cued his first close-range effort and then saw the follow-up deflected into the side-netting. On half-time Lukaku headed inches wide.

Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea wins a header over Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 05, 2022 in London, England. - GETTY IMAGES
Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea wins a header over Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 05, 2022 in London, England. - GETTY IMAGES

What was up with Spurs? Yes, Chelsea played well but there was minimal resistance. This was perhaps Son Heung-min’s quietest game while Harry Kane was isolated until Conte abandoned his 3-4-3 system and brought on another midfielder, Tanguy Ndombele. Incidentally it meant the two high priests of three-at-the-back – Conte and Tuchel – were not using that formation.

There was a flicker of resistance as Kane forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into a sharp save from a free-kick, after Ndombele was fouled, but while Spurs were better it was Chelsea who racked up the chances. And yet more chances. Ziyech was wasteful, Timo Werner, who replaced the injured Havertz, cut inside and blazed narrowly wide, and then really should have scored when he was superbly picked out by Ziyech and, clear on goal, attempted to lob the onrushing Lloris who stuck out an arm to block. And so there was yet another let-off as Alonso’s deep cross was met by Ziyech – again unmarked – who volleyed high over the bar. He held his head.

Both managers made changes as Conte tried to find a way back and remarkably it almost came when substitute Bryan Gil tricked his way to the by-line and cut the ball back only for Arrizabalaga to parry a first-time shot from another replacement, Giovani Lo Celso, before the rebound was scrambled away.

What a difference that may have made to the tie and, frankly, what a travesty it would have been given Chelsea’s dominance as they finished the game as they started it, on the front foot, with Spurs hanging on. Would there be a redemptive goal for Lukaku, to end any doubt? The ball fell to him in injury-time but he shot weakly and Lloris fell on it gratefully. Spurs were well-beaten but also extremely fortunate to escape with this flattering scoreline.

09:58 PM

That's all from me...

But read Jason Burt's match report for a full recap of Chelsea's victory.

09:44 PM

Hakim Ziyech has been named player of the match

He was very good tonight, as was Saul Niguez. Positive signs for Chelsea.

09:35 PM

FULL TIME: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Werner plays a deft pass to Lukaku but he hits his shot straight at Lloris. That would have capped off a perfect night for Chelsea!

That is that! Advantage Chelsea!

09:33 PM

90+2 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Chelsea are passing the ball around the back, content with their night's work.

09:31 PM

90 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Azpilicueta is limping off, replaced by Harvey Vale.

There will be four minutes of added time.

09:30 PM

88 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Gil makes Pulisic look silly, turning him inside and out before going past him. He cuts it back but the shot is saved and Ndombele cannot meet the rebound. Chelsea counter, but Lukaku loses the ball in the box.

09:27 PM

86 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Davies stands on Pulisic's heel. Free kick in a promising effort for a crack at goal. Alonso cannot beat the wall.

09:24 PM

83 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

The energy has started to dip from both sides. Spurs seem content to take a two-goal deficit into the second leg - which is odd...

09:21 PM

80 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

More changes. Pulisic on for the impressive Ziyech. For Tottenham; Lo Celso on for Son, Gil for Lucas.

Emerson goes down under a challenge from Sarr. Free kick given in a good area for a cross. The ball reaches Tanganga but he can only flick it well over the bar.

09:19 PM

78 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Alonso picks out Ziyech at the back post but he hammers his volley over the bar. He should have done better...

Ndombele tumbles to the ground and Rudiger, accidentally, smashes the ball into him from a yard away. Ouch.

09:16 PM

75 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Loftus-Cheek breaks into the Spurs box but his cut back is intercepted.

09:14 PM

73 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Lukaku drives at Davies, winning a corner. Mount cannot beat the first man, however.

Changes for Chelsea; Kovacic on for Mount, Loftus-Cheek for Saul - who gets a big hug from Tuchel after an improved performance. Change for Spurs too, Winks for Skipp.

09:11 PM

70 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Lukaku goes down but no free kick comes, allowing Spurs to break. Emerson picks out Lucas but his volley goes just over the bar.

09:08 PM

67 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Werner has a one-on-one after a perfect pass from Ziyech. Lloris rushes off his line, Werner tries to loft it over him but the keeper gets a strong palm to it. Huge chance missed! Ziyech's strong night continues.

09:06 PM

65 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Kane is, eventually, fine to continue. He is tripped on half-way, taking the free kick quickly to Lucas. Alonso snuffs out the attack.

Davies finds room down the left but is forced to turn back.

09:03 PM

62 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Werner breaks down the left, cutting inside and bending the ball towards the far post. It drifts just wide! Superb from the substitute, he conjured that out of nothing.

Sarr is booked for an elbow to the face off Kane. The England captain has stayed down. Nothing malicious in it.

09:00 PM

59 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Tottenham have been much improved after the break. It is a real contest now, with both sides looking dangerous going forward.

Saul gets on the end of a Ziyech cross, he tries a Cruyff flick volley, not quite pulling it off. Saul has been good tonight.

08:58 PM

57 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Werner makes a clever run in behind but is caught just offside.

08:56 PM

55 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Ziyech is unleashed by Lukaku, he takes the shot on first time, hitting it straight at Lloris. He had more time then he realised there!

At the other end, Ndombele sticks a speculative shot into the stands.

08:53 PM

52 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Tottenham continue their bright start to the half. Son has the ball in space but Saul gets back to make a vital challenge.

Chelsea mount an attack of their own. Alonso picks out Lukaku in the box but his volley rolls tamely into the arms of Lloris.

08:51 PM

50 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Ndombele, fresh on the pitch, is fouled by Sarr on the edge of the Chelsea box. It is in a great position for a shot at goal.

Kane goes low, forcing a save from Kepa. Decent effort.

08:48 PM

47 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Spurs start brightly, Lucas putting in an inviting cross but Azpilicueta beats Son to it. The visitors come again, Chelsea once again defend a cross.

08:46 PM

A change at the break for both sides

Werner for Havertz, Ndombele on for Doherty.

08:43 PM

Here is the second, and borderline comical, Chelsea goal

08:34 PM

Chelsea have been all over Spurs

They were given plenty of help for their two goals but the hosts deserve their lead. Antonio Conte is not enjoying his return very much.

08:31 PM

HALF TIME: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

A Spurs free kick is launched long and Lucas wins the race to it. He is then tackle and that is that.

08:30 PM

45 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Lukaku drifts out to the wing and delivers a dangerous cross that forces a timely clearance. Chelsea come again, Ziyech - who has been impressive tonight - drifts a cross to the back post that beats everyone.

There will be one minute of added time.

08:27 PM

42 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Chance for Lukaku! Ziyech puts the ball on his head and he glances it just wide! That was very close to some redemption for the striker.

Havertz is struggling with a knock and Werner is getting ready to replace him. Havertz is back on the pitch and will try to continue for the moment.

08:25 PM

40 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Kepa unconvincingly deals with a ball under pressure from Lucas, the ball trickling out for a goal kick just wide of the goal post.

08:23 PM

38 mins: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Well, Spurs have been on the back foot but they have also handed Chelsea two goals on a plate.

08:20 PM

GOOOOOAAAAAL! (Davies OG) Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0

Oh dear. Ziyech puts in a decent cross, Tanganga heads it into Davies and the ball ricochets into the goal. Calamitous once more.

08:19 PM

34 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Lukaku is fouled in a dangerous area for a cross.

08:18 PM

33 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Tanganga tackles Havertz, conceding a corner in the process. The ball reaches Rudiger at the back post who is unmarked. He hits a shot that is blocked behind for another corner - this time it is cleared, but Mount picks it up and whips a dangerous ball to the front post that Lloris does well to claim.

08:15 PM

Chelsea do not need another player falling out...

08:14 PM

29 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Alonso looks to spark an attack but Lucas makes a strong tackle to halt it. Chelsea switch the play to the other wing, Jorginho crosses and Lloris comes off his line to punch the ball away.

08:10 PM

26 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Kane pings a lovely pass to Doherty who takes a good first touch before Ziyech dispossesses him. Important challenge, there was space in front of the left wing-back.

Son then wins a corner down the right wing. He takes it, the ball in is uncovincingly hacked clear and Chelsea break. Lukaku runs out of space as he looks to counter.

08:08 PM

23 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Saul gives away a free kick as Chelsea break into the Spurs half. It is fair to say he does not agree with the decision.

Mount runs in behind but there it too much on the long ball over the top.

08:06 PM

21 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Tottenham launch a rare attack but Emerson's pass has too much on it, Kepa beating Kane to the ball.

08:04 PM

19 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Havertz rolls a pass to Ziyech on the edge of the box. He looks to bend it into the top corner with his left foot from the right side but it goes a yard or so wide.

08:01 PM

16 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Chelsea win a corner. Ziyech puts it into a good area but Sanchez clears.

07:59 PM

14 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Chelsea continue to dominate possession, forcing their opposition to sit deep and defend in numbers. Havertz attempts a cross but it ends up nowhere near Lukaku.

07:57 PM

11 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Spurs give the ball away in their own half once again. A cross falls to Havertz who has a curling shot saved by Lloris. Nearly another costly Tottenham mistake!

07:53 PM

8 mins: Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Spurs are all over the place. They cannot keep the ball and Chelsea look dangerous with every attack.

07:50 PM

GOOOOOOAAAAAAL! (Havertz) Chelsea 1 Tottenham 0

Tanganga has a pass picked off by Alonso. He plays Havertz in behind who rolls it past Lloris and Sanchez can only help it into the net! Bad error from Tanganga.

07:49 PM

4 mins: Chelsea 0 Tottenham 0

It is all Chelsea in the opening minutes. They attack once more, but a free kick to the visitors gives them a welcome chance to catch their breath.

07:47 PM

2 mins: Chelsea 0 Tottenham 0

Lukaku is involved straight away! He breaks into the Spurs box, squaring the ball but no one latches on to it. He could have shot!

Chelsea come again, Azpilicueta bursts forward and is fouled. The free kick is badly overcooked by Mount, however.

07:45 PM

Here we go!

Spurs get us started.

07:42 PM

The players are out onto the pitch

Fairly neutral greeting for both Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku.

07:30 PM

Antonio Conte returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time as Tottenham manager tonight

Want to know how it all ended for him Chelsea? Well, it included £26 million among other things.

Read Matt Law's inside story here

07:22 PM

Spurs have struggled against Chelsea in recent times

07:12 PM

Thomas Tuchel confirms Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante tested positive for Covid this morning

On Romelu Lukaku, Tuchel said:

"I'm happy he's on the pitch today. We can listen to the interview 100 times, it will not get better but we can shift our focus. We accept that it happened and we have enough reasons to move on and stay positive, and also protect him and push him because he is our player. He wants to be and we want him to be a key player."

06:57 PM

Team news recap

Romelu Lukaku starts Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge after his omission from Sunday's 2-2 Liverpool draw.

Chelsea's club-record signing missed the weekend's Premier League clash amid a disciplinary storm after his recent interview claiming unhappiness at the club.

Lukaku apologised internally on Monday then directly to Chelsea fans on Tuesday however, and is duly back in the fold to face Spurs.

Thiago Silva and N'Golo Kante miss out for a Chelsea side with six changes from the Liverpool draw, as Saul Niguez is handed a rare start with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal given Edouard Mendy's international duty with Senegal.

Matt Doherty and Japhet Tanganga start for Spurs, with Antonio Conte back at Stamford Bridge for the first time since being sacked by Chelsea in 2018.

06:51 PM

Here it is... Lukaku starts!

06:50 PM

Chelsea's line-up has not been revealed

Unusual for no team announcement to be done an hour before kick-off...

06:47 PM

Antonio Conte has named a strong Spurs side

06:40 PM

Familiar Carabao Cup foe meet again tonight

06:28 PM

Liverpool close training ground as more positive Covid tests lead to Arsenal semi-final postponement

While we have one semi-final taking place tonight, tomorrow's has been postponed as Liverpool have suffered a Covid outbreak.

As a result, the scheduled second leg at Anfield next Thursday will become the first leg between the two sides, with the return fixture now squeezed into the calendar on Thursday. Jan 20.

Read the full story here

04:04 PM

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of Chelsea-Spurs

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte is waiting for a meeting with the club over transfer plans this month.

Conte intends to speak to chairman Daniel Levy and managing director of football Fabio Paratici about how his squad can be improved during the January transfer window, which opened on Saturday.

The Italian wanted extra time to evaluate his players and he is now ready to report back on those he wants to move forward with.

"My expectation is to speak with my club and then to tell them my opinions," he said ahead of his first return to Chelsea in today's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

"This is only my expectation and then the club knows after I speak to the club, they will make the decisions they want to make.

"I repeat I'm a manager and I'm in a position where I have to make evaluations.

"It's happened and now I'm waiting to speak with the club to tell my opinion that the club has to take the best decision for the present, for the future and this situation is very simple."

Spurs head to Stamford Bridge fearing another coronavirus outbreak, with Conte saying they had a couple of issues.

Steven Bergwijn and Ryan Sessegnon both miss out through injury, with the latter targeting a return in the FA Cup game with Morecambe on Sunday.

"Ryan Sessegnon's situation is better than Steven Bergwijn's," Conte said.

"I think he's almost ready to be available in the next game, in the FA Cup he'll be available.

"For Steve, I think we have to pay a bit more attention because his problem was in the calf, where you have to pay more attention and wait a bit before we have him available again."

For Chelsea, centre back Trevoh Chalobah will miss the game against Spurs after picking up a hamstring injury on Sunday, while fellow defender Andreas Christensen and forward Timo Werner are both doubts.

PA