EFL CUP DRAW SEMI-FINALS
CHELSEA v ARSENAL MAN CITY v BRISTOL CITY
FIRST LEGS: JANUARY 9/10 2ND LEGS: JANUARY 23/24
CHELSEA ........... 2 BOURNEMOUTH 1
ALVARO MORATA fired Chelsea into the League Cup semi-final after late drama at Stamford Bridge.
Bournemouth grabbed a last-minute equaliser through Dan Gosling, but the visitors were level for less than a minute as Chelsea super-sub Morata came to the rescue.
It was heartbreaking for Bournemouth who had fought back bravely, but the grandstand finish was a tribute to Chelsea’s resilience. And it was a reminder that the League Cup – in whatever guise – still matters.
Chelsea celebrated wildly at the final whistle, while Bournemouth were left devastated as their travelling fans could hardly believe such a rollercoaster of emotions.
It was a fabulous end to a sometimes drab cup-tie with Antonio Conte now just 180 minutes from Wembley and the chance of more silverware.
The Italian had to throw on his big guns towards the end as Morata and Eden Hazard came on to save the night and the brilliant Belgian set up the goal for his Italian team-mate.
Bournemouth deserved their leveller as Morata’s poor clearance only reached Jordon Ibe and he set up Gosling to level with a superb curling shot.
Rookie defender Ethan Ampadu was comfortably man of the match and marked himself out as a star of the future.
The Wales international, only 17 with flowing dreadlocks, took just one
minute and 20 seconds to wipe out Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe with a brutal tackle.
Defoe was left writhing in agony, Ampadu was booked by referee Lee Mason and it was a clear message that Chelsea, despite making eight changes, were not taking it easy.
Chelsea were in control at that stage, their much-changed line-up bossing midfield and it was no real surprise when they went ahead after 13 minutes.
It was a brilliantly worked goal as three Chelsea misfits linked up together in Willian’s brilliant opener.
Michy Batshuayi, the £32million striker, who barely gets a look in, started the move with a reverse pass and Kenedy – nearly dumped after sending offensive messages on social media during the club’s preseason tour to China – then made an audacious back heel.
Cesc Fabregas provided a precision cross, which was turned home at the back post by Willian, who has fallen down the pecking order under Conte. It was a terrific goal, but in all honesty one of the few good things Willian did all night.
The Brazilian looks a far cry from the man who was Chelsea’s Player of the Year a couple of seasons ago.
Bournemouth’s task was hardly made any easier when Defoe, still struggling after Ampadu’s powerful challenge, went down again and decided he could not carry on after 17 minutes.
The little veteran hobbled off and was replaced by Ibe, whose extra pace and power gave Bournemouth more of an edge up front and they got better as the game wore on, despite a lack of clear-cut chances.
The visitors kept going right until the death when they set up the late drama, yet it was Morata who proved to be the match-winning hero who broke Bournemouth’s hearts.
While the visitors were still celebrating, Hazard led the charge up the other end and his back heel set up Morata to force home the winner.