AITOR HAILS REDS’ FIGHTING SPIRIT...
Holders too good for Forest
NOTTINGHAM Forest manager Aitor Karanka had no complaints with exiting the Cup, but hailed his side’s battling effort.
Alvaro Morata scored twice after Cesc Fabregas had missed a first-half penalty as the current holders Chelsea advanced with a routine win.
Forest knocked out the FA Cup holders Arsenal last season, but there was no prospect of that at Stamford Bridge as they barely had a sniff at Chelsea’s goal.
“Chelsea were much better than us,” admitted Karanka. “This is the kind of game that I can’t complain about.
“My players never gave up, they always tried to play when they had the ball. Even losing 2-0 in the last minute we were trying to play.
“This was the fifth game in two weeks, playing with the same players, I know we lost, but we lost against a very good Chelsea and we showed we are competing on the pitch.
“Their players play in the best national teams in the world, they played in the World Cup – so that makes a big difference.”
Maurizio Sarri rotated his options ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Tottenham Hotspur, making eight changes in total.
Chelsea should have scored after 13 minutes when Davide Zappacosta’s cross bounced kindly for Morata. But the striker’s header, from five yards out, went straight to goalkeeper Luke Steele.
Morata had another opportunity which went awry. Fabregas floated a pass for the striker to run on to, but Morata felt his heels were clipped by last man Claudio Yacob, 25 yards out. The Blues striker wanted referee Andrew Madley to consult the Video Assistant Referee, but the official waved away appeals.
Chelsea were making headway down both flanks and were presented a penalty after Zappacosta’s cut-back to Ruben Loftus-Cheek. He was caught by a clumsy challenge by Danny Fox.
Fabregas’ stuttering run-up was poor, players from both teams entered the area and Steele saved, diving low to his right. There was an argument Forest should have had a freekick for Fabregas pausing in his run-up, or for the spotkick to be retaken due to the infringements which included Steele leaving his line.
Steele made a number of saves before Eden Hazard was introduced before half-time, with Loftus-Cheek’s niggling back problem having returned.
Chelsea so often look to Hazard for inspiration, but it was Callum Hudson-Odoi who provided it on this occasion.
He beat Saidy Janko down the right and crossed to the near post, where Morata finished well for his first goal since November 29. Chelsea and Morata’s second came moments later, with HudsonOdoi again the provider. He beat Janko and crossed to the back post, where Morata headed down into the corner.
Carlo Cudicini, standing in on press duties for boss Sarri, said: “Alvaro played an important part in today’s performance. He had a good performance working for the team. It was important for him to score two.”