Chelsea have perfect answer to Maurizio Sarri criticism to reach Carabao Cup final. They answered every criticism in the most dramatic fashion.
Maurizio Sarri questioned their motivation, character and determination - and yet Chelsea showed plenty of it at Stamford Bridge.
It was a pulsating, thrilling and superb semi final which ultimately needed a penalty shoot-out to separate the two sides even after 180 entertaining minutes.
But it was Chelsea who had more over the course of the contest and it was little wonder that David Luiz’s winning spot kick sparked wild celebrations among the home fans.
Ironically it was Eric Dier, England’s penalty shoot-out in the World Cup last summer, who missed one of Tottenham’s penalties as ecstasy turned to agony.
But Chelsea were the better side in the second leg, arguably did not deserve to lose at Wembley a fortnight ago and, in fairness, it was only Tottenham’s spirit which took it to penalties.
But now Tottenham’s season is in serious danger of falling apart as, once again, they fell short of the finishing line and now it is their mentality which will be questioned.
This was Mauricio Pochettino’s third successive semi final defeat, they have not won a trophy since 2008 and it never looked more evident that they are missing big players than at Stamford Bridge.
With no Harry Kane, Dele Alli or Heung-Min Son, Tottenham looked toothless at times and woefully short and now Pochettino’s patched up squad have to lift themselves for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace.
The season is in the balance with Kane and Alli both out for up to two months, it can quickly go from bad to worse especially if their morale suffers after this latest heartbreak.
Pochettino insisted afterwards he was proud of his players, praising Dier and Lucas Moura for having the guts to take spot kicks even after they missed.
But Pochettino will know in his heart that his squad is running on empty and it was Chelsea who rose to the occasion.
It takes a brave manager to call out the Chelsea dressing room, it has brought down bigger managers in the past, but Sarri is clearly not afraid to follow the same way as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte who were forced out even after winning titles.
Sarri even questioned Eden Hazard, insisting he was not a leader, and yet Chelsea and their No10 stood up to be counted when it mattered most.
Straight from the start, Chelsea looked up for it. They harried, chased and closed down Tottenham and it took them just 27 minutes to go ahead.
Hazard’s corner was headed clear by Fernando Llorente, the ball reached N’Golo Kante whose shot whistled through the Spurs box, going through Moussa Sissoko’s legs and then also going through stand-in keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Chelsea had the upper hand and made it two after 38 minutes when Hazard helped start a move, spread the ball wide to Pedro who teamed up with Cesar Azpilicueta whose low cross was turned home by Hazard. Chelsea’s No10 may not be Sarri’s leader, but he certainly leads by example.
It looked like Tottenham were going out. But they came out ready for a fight in the second half. Substitute Danny Rose was terrific, taking the battle to Chelsea and providing a brilliant cross for Llorente to score and level the tie on aggregate.
The game developed into a thrilling and brutal contest. Spurs refused to give up, Chelsea took it in turns to kick Rose while Olivier Giroud also missed a great chance to score from the outstanding left back Emerson’s cross in the dying embers of the game.
It went to penalties and Tottenham went first with Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela successful from the spot before Dier missed and Lucas had his saved. But Willian, Azpilicueta, Jorginho and then Luiz all held their nerve for Chelsea.
Whoever said the Carabao Cup does not matter anymore, will never understand the rivalry between these two clubs and now the small matter of
Chelsea have perfect answer to Maurizio Sarri criticism to reach Carabao Cup final mauricio pochettino titulos | |
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| Sports | Upload TimePublished on 24 Jan 2019 |
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