A strike from Antonio Rudiger sealed a 1-0 win for Chelsea away at Tottenham Hotspur to ensure a place in the finals of the Carabao Cup.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
The visitors got the game underway on the front foot and enjoyed the major share of chances through on goal in the final third only to remain on the hunt for the opener.
Romelu Lukaku, leading the line for Chelsea, forced a good save from Spurs goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini with the Belgian striker set up by Antonio Rudiger’s well-timed long ball.
Rudiger, however, was crucial to his side finding the breakthrough with the central defender rising to a Mason Mount corner delivery to find the back of the net past Gollini.
Spurs had Harry Kane creating trouble for Thomas Tuchel’s men with the England star forward’s effort denied by Andreas Christensen with an important block.
Chelsea had a sigh of relief when Rudiger’s challenge on Hojbjerg led to the referee Andre Marriner pointing towards the penalty spot but a lengthy VAR check overturned the decision.
Tuchel’s men dominated the proceedings once again when the second period started as Spurs looked to get back into the game with the leveller.
Lucas Moura was set up by Kane with a perfect pass but Chelsea No.1 Kepa came forward to dispossess the Brazilian with another VAR check chalking down claims of a penalty for the home side.
Chelsea rang in changes in the final stages of the game to beef up the options at the back and were successful in seeing through the second leg to secure a 3-0 win on aggregate.
