• CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6, Looked uncomfortable under pressure from Lucas Moura but parried Harry Kane’s free kick away well. Made a strong save to deny Giovani Lo Celso late on. Getty Images
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6, Looked uncomfortable under pressure from Lucas Moura but parried Harry Kane’s free kick away well. Made a strong save to deny Giovani Lo Celso late on. Getty Images
  • Cesar Azpilicueta - 8, Was typically reliable whenever called upon defensively, while also making good runs and passes going forward. Made a great header to deny Son Heung-min an early chance in the second half and battled even when injured. Reuters
    Cesar Azpilicueta - 8, Was typically reliable whenever called upon defensively, while also making good runs and passes going forward. Made a great header to deny Son Heung-min an early chance in the second half and battled even when injured. Reuters
  • Antonio Rudiger - 8, Marshalled Harry Kane expertly and made it look easy, but saw his shot blocked after losing Japhet Tanganga in the opposition box. AP Photo
    Antonio Rudiger - 8, Marshalled Harry Kane expertly and made it look easy, but saw his shot blocked after losing Japhet Tanganga in the opposition box. AP Photo
  • Malang Sarr - 7, Made some brilliant challenges, timing one on Moura brilliantly, looking indomitable defensively in the first half. Wasn’t quite as comfortable at times in the second period and got booked for catching Kane with his elbow. Getty Images
    Malang Sarr - 7, Made some brilliant challenges, timing one on Moura brilliantly, looking indomitable defensively in the first half. Wasn’t quite as comfortable at times in the second period and got booked for catching Kane with his elbow. Getty Images
  • Hakim Ziyech - 8, Floated into nice areas and showed quality on the ball, with his cross from a free kick leading to Chelsea’s second goal of the game. Also stepped in to make a great intervention when Matt Doherty played a threatening ball. Picked out Timo Werner with an outstanding pass but couldn’t capitalise when chances came for a goal of his own. Reuters
    Hakim Ziyech - 8, Floated into nice areas and showed quality on the ball, with his cross from a free kick leading to Chelsea’s second goal of the game. Also stepped in to make a great intervention when Matt Doherty played a threatening ball. Picked out Timo Werner with an outstanding pass but couldn’t capitalise when chances came for a goal of his own. Reuters
  • Saul Niguez - 8, The Spaniard should get encouragement from this game having moved the ball well and made some great tackles – especially the ones on Son Heung-min. Was unlucky to see his flick go wide. Reuters
    Saul Niguez - 8, The Spaniard should get encouragement from this game having moved the ball well and made some great tackles – especially the ones on Son Heung-min. Was unlucky to see his flick go wide. Reuters
  • Jorginho - 7, Was never afraid to demand the ball and moved it well in the middle of the park in a game that often looked comfortable for him. Reuters
    Jorginho - 7, Was never afraid to demand the ball and moved it well in the middle of the park in a game that often looked comfortable for him. Reuters
  • Marcos Alonso - 7, Nipped in well to regain possession and played a nice pass to Havertz for the opener. Made a poor touch that gave Spurs a chance but recovered by blocking Emerson Royal’s cross. Getty Images
    Marcos Alonso - 7, Nipped in well to regain possession and played a nice pass to Havertz for the opener. Made a poor touch that gave Spurs a chance but recovered by blocking Emerson Royal’s cross. Getty Images
  • Mason Mount - 6, Looked sharp and was unlucky to see Hugo Lloris hold his threatening cross, though there were times where he shot when a pass might have been the better option. EPA
    Mason Mount - 6, Looked sharp and was unlucky to see Hugo Lloris hold his threatening cross, though there were times where he shot when a pass might have been the better option. EPA
  • Kai Havertz - 7, Took his goal well but should have done better with a chance that came his way soon after. Struggled on until half time despite picking up a hand and head injury. Getty Images
    Kai Havertz - 7, Took his goal well but should have done better with a chance that came his way soon after. Struggled on until half time despite picking up a hand and head injury. Getty Images
  • Romelu Lukaku - 6, Passed behind Havertz in the opening seconds but did win the free kick for Chelsea’s second goal. Missed a good headed chance, hit a weak volley from Alonso’s cross, then hit a late strike straight at Lloris. EPA
    Romelu Lukaku - 6, Passed behind Havertz in the opening seconds but did win the free kick for Chelsea’s second goal. Missed a good headed chance, hit a weak volley from Alonso’s cross, then hit a late strike straight at Lloris. EPA
  • SUB Timo Werner (Havertz, HT) - 6, Made a great burst forward in the build-up to a Ziyech chance, although he did hit a poor shot from a good opportunity. Was unlucky to see his strike go wide after cutting in well, then saw his dinked effort denied by Lloris. Set Lukaku up well for a late shot. PA
    SUB Timo Werner (Havertz, HT) - 6, Made a great burst forward in the build-up to a Ziyech chance, although he did hit a poor shot from a good opportunity. Was unlucky to see his strike go wide after cutting in well, then saw his dinked effort denied by Lloris. Set Lukaku up well for a late shot. PA
  • SUB Mateo Kovacic (Mount, 73’) – N/R, Moved the ball well and worked hard to ensure Chelsea maintained their two-goal lead. Getty Images
    SUB Mateo Kovacic (Mount, 73’) – N/R, Moved the ball well and worked hard to ensure Chelsea maintained their two-goal lead. Getty Images
  • SUB Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Niguez, 73’) – N/R, Looked very confident as soon as he came on and could have got an assist if he’d applied a better final pass after drifting behind Harry Winks. However, he hit one shocker of a pass. Getty Images
    SUB Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Niguez, 73’) – N/R, Looked very confident as soon as he came on and could have got an assist if he’d applied a better final pass after drifting behind Harry Winks. However, he hit one shocker of a pass. Getty Images
  • SUB Christian Pulisic (Ziyech, 79’) – N/R, Won a free kick in a dangerous area and did a shift at right-back after Azpilicueta went off but overhit a cross. Getty Images
    SUB Christian Pulisic (Ziyech, 79’) – N/R, Won a free kick in a dangerous area and did a shift at right-back after Azpilicueta went off but overhit a cross. Getty Images
  • SUB Harvey Vale (Azpilicueta, 90’) – N/R, This will have been a great game for the youngster to be part of and he provided some nice touches. Reuters
    SUB Harvey Vale (Azpilicueta, 90’) – N/R, This will have been a great game for the youngster to be part of and he provided some nice touches. Reuters
  • TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6, Made a decent save from Havertz’s shot and did well to stop Mount’s cross after awkwardly punching Jorginho’s. Couldn’t do anything for either goal. Did well to stop Werner’s attempt. PA
    TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris - 6, Made a decent save from Havertz’s shot and did well to stop Mount’s cross after awkwardly punching Jorginho’s. Couldn’t do anything for either goal. Did well to stop Werner’s attempt. PA
  • Japhet Tanganga - 3, Played a short pass then allowed Havertz to get behind him for the opener. Having completely lost Rudiger from a corner but recovering to deflect the shot wide, the defender headed a free kick delivery onto Ben Davies for the second. He then lost the ball in a dangerous area in the second half but wasn’t punished, before heading well over wITH his own chance came. Reuters
    Japhet Tanganga - 3, Played a short pass then allowed Havertz to get behind him for the opener. Having completely lost Rudiger from a corner but recovering to deflect the shot wide, the defender headed a free kick delivery onto Ben Davies for the second. He then lost the ball in a dangerous area in the second half but wasn’t punished, before heading well over wITH his own chance came. Reuters
  • Davinson Sanchez - 4, Could only turn the ball into his own net while trying to stop Havertz’s shot and struggled at times, conceding the free kick for Chelsea’s second with a sloppy challenge. EPA
    Davinson Sanchez - 4, Could only turn the ball into his own net while trying to stop Havertz’s shot and struggled at times, conceding the free kick for Chelsea’s second with a sloppy challenge. EPA
  • Ben Davies - 5, There is nothing the Welshman could do for his own goal, but he made some good tackles – especially after being moved to the left of a back four in the second half. Reuters
    Ben Davies - 5, There is nothing the Welshman could do for his own goal, but he made some good tackles – especially after being moved to the left of a back four in the second half. Reuters
  • Emerson Royal - 5, Had moments where he looked weak and sloppy and could have got Kane into a good position if there was quality in his pass. Was so easy for Werner to get past him before shooting but there were times in the second half that he looked good going forward. Getty Images
    Emerson Royal - 5, Had moments where he looked weak and sloppy and could have got Kane into a good position if there was quality in his pass. Was so easy for Werner to get past him before shooting but there were times in the second half that he looked good going forward. Getty Images
  • Oliver Skipp - 4, Struggled to make an impact throughout and there were points that he simply couldn’t keep up with Chelsea’s midfield. EPA
    Oliver Skipp - 4, Struggled to make an impact throughout and there were points that he simply couldn’t keep up with Chelsea’s midfield. EPA
  • Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 5, His poor clearance gave Havertz a chance and there were times where Chelsea were playing around him. However, he put a greater stamp on the second half and bailed Tanganga out with a good block. Reuters
    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - 5, His poor clearance gave Havertz a chance and there were times where Chelsea were playing around him. However, he put a greater stamp on the second half and bailed Tanganga out with a good block. Reuters
  • Matt Doherty - 5, Looked limited by playing on the left as he often wanted to cut in onto his right foot. However, the Republic of Ireland international did show intent at times and made a good cutback for Moura. Getty Images
    Matt Doherty - 5, Looked limited by playing on the left as he often wanted to cut in onto his right foot. However, the Republic of Ireland international did show intent at times and made a good cutback for Moura. Getty Images
  • Lucas Moura - 6, Worked hard but struggled for any real opportunities despite being Spurs’ brightest spark for large periods. Sent a volley just over the crossbar when a half-chance finally came. EPA
    Lucas Moura - 6, Worked hard but struggled for any real opportunities despite being Spurs’ brightest spark for large periods. Sent a volley just over the crossbar when a half-chance finally came. EPA
  • Harry Kane - 5, Hardly touched the ball in any areas in which he could cause any sort of danger and his free kick was saved with relative ease. Getty Images
    Harry Kane - 5, Hardly touched the ball in any areas in which he could cause any sort of danger and his free kick was saved with relative ease. Getty Images
  • Son Heung-min - 5, Never got a real chance and will have been frustrated when his corner flashed through the box. Will be left wondering what could have been if Azpilicueta hadn’t got ahead of him to clear. PA
    Son Heung-min - 5, Never got a real chance and will have been frustrated when his corner flashed through the box. Will be left wondering what could have been if Azpilicueta hadn’t got ahead of him to clear. PA
  • SUB Tanguy Ndombele (Doherty, HT) - 5, Won a free kick in a dangerous area shortly after coming on but skied his effort and faded out of the game. Getty Images
    SUB Tanguy Ndombele (Doherty, HT) - 5, Won a free kick in a dangerous area shortly after coming on but skied his effort and faded out of the game. Getty Images
  • SUB Harry Winks (Skipp, 73’) – N/R, Lost Loftus-Cheek within seconds of coming on and put Hojbjerg into an awkward position, failing to look overly convincing. PA
    SUB Harry Winks (Skipp, 73’) – N/R, Lost Loftus-Cheek within seconds of coming on and put Hojbjerg into an awkward position, failing to look overly convincing. PA
  • SUB Giovani Lo Celso (Son, 80’) – N/R, Delivered a good cross from a free kick for Tanganga’s chance and was unlucky to see his shot saved. Reuters
    SUB Giovani Lo Celso (Son, 80’) – N/R, Delivered a good cross from a free kick for Tanganga’s chance and was unlucky to see his shot saved. Reuters
  • SUB Bryan Gil (Moura, 80’) – N/R, Turned Pulisic inside out before setting up Lo Celso for Spurs’ best chance of the game. AFP
    SUB Bryan Gil (Moura, 80’) – N/R, Turned Pulisic inside out before setting up Lo Celso for Spurs’ best chance of the game. AFP

Chelsea vs Tottenham player ratings: Azpilicueta 8, Lukaku 6; Kane 5, Tanganga 3


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Chelsea seized control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur, beating their London rivals 2-0 in the first leg on Wednesday thanks to an early strike by Kai Havertz and an own goal by Spurs defender Ben Davies.

The Blues swamped their visitors right from the kick off and, after a mix-up in the Spurs defence in the fifth minute, Havertz fired an angled shot that was goal-bound before it went in off the foot of Davinson Sanchez.

Half-an-hour later, the dominant hosts got their second goal, albeit with a slice of luck, when Japhet Tanganga headed away a Hakim Ziyech free kick, only for the ball to rebound into the Spurs net off Davies' shoulder.

The win dented the hopes of Spurs, under former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, of winning a first trophy since lifting the league cup in 2008. In that time, Chelsea have won 12 major trophies including three Premier League and two Champions League titles.

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel restored record signing Romelu Lukaku to the team having dropped him for Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool as punishment for the Belgian saying in an interview that he was unhappy with his role at Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku went close with a first-half header, created a chance for Ziyech after the break which the Moroccan wasted and hit an injury-time shot straight at Hugo Lloris. (Reporting by William Schomberg Editing by Toby Davis)

Updated: January 06, 2022, 3:43 AM