BATTERED BY MORATA Alvaro back in the goals as Fab era ends in tears
CHELSEA 2 NOTT’M FOREST 0
TWO Spaniards. Two stories. One was a reluctant hero. Another surely waved goodbye in tears.
Alvaro Morata steered defending holders Chelsea towards Wembley but questions remain whether he will be around to finish the journey.
The same went for Cesc Fabregas, who missed a penalty and left the field waving to fans who sensed it was his farewell before joining Monaco after 198 appearances and 22 goals for the Blues.
Chelsea coach
Carlo Cudicini said: “If that was Cesc’s last game then it was nice he did it in front of our fans.
“But we don’t know yet. As for Alvaro, it will do his morale the world of good. We know what he does in training. We have confidence in him.”
All eyes had been on previously shot-shy Morata, who scored two goals in 10 minutes to finally galvanise Chelsea to cross the line in style after they had dominated Nottingham Forest.
Yet even his celebrations were muted and you have to wonder if he has already decided his time too at Chelsea is over.
You feel there’s a spark missing and his mind is constantly elsewhere... back in Spain, maybe even Italy.
He was replaced in the 74th minute then went straight down the tunnel. Morata didn’t look like a happy bunny, but Cudicini added: “Everyone is different. Some players don’t smile.
“Perhaps he also felt the effects of what the critics have been saying about him.
“It has been difficult for him, but he has great qualities. Those goals were important. Good for him and the club. Don’t forget that’s nine goals now. Not bad.”
His tap-in and header, both from Callum Hudson-Odoi crosses, were moments of gold in a otherwise lukewarm third-round tie. Ruben Loftus-Cheek (left) saw his season turn sour when he left the pitch after 41 minutes with yet another injury.
He went down the tunnel covering his eyes. It said it all. “Sad for him.
A real pity. Perhaps he needs a long rest and we must look into what is happening,” said Cudicini.
Chelsea should have taken the lead in the 30th minute but Fabregas saw his weak spot-kick saved by Luke Steele after Danny Fox had fouled Lotus-Cheek.
Forest manager Aitor Karanka said: “Chelsea were much the better side. That is their level. I can’t complain because we never gave up. Even when 2-0 down we were still pressing in the last minute.
“I know we lost, but we lost to a good side. Now we concentrate on the league.”