striker Harry Kane (L) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Argentinian
midfielder Erik Lamela celebrate.
Mason Mount missed the final spot-kick as Tottenham beat
Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the
League Cup after a 1-1 draw.
Timo Werner’s first goal for Chelsea put Frank Lampard’s men in
command against a much-changed Tottenham team playing the second of
four games in eight days.
But Erik Lamela deservedly levelled for Spurs seven minutes from
time and new Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unable to stop
Eric Dier, Lamela, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Lucas Moura and Harry
Kane scoring from the spot.
Tammy Abraham, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho and Emerson also
converted their penalties as the first nine of the shootout were
successful.
But Mount’s effort clipped the post to the delight of the
watching Gareth Bale, who could be fit to feature in the last eight
with the quarter-finals not till late December.
Mourinho claimed the fixture pile up gave him no choice but to
prioritise Thursday’s Europa League tie against Maccabi Haifa given
the financial incentive on offer for the club.
But despite making nine changes, he named a strong side,
including captain Hugo Lloris, club record signing Tanguy Ndombele
and new signing Sergio Reguilon on his debut.
Chelsea also handed a debut to Mendy and the early signs from
the Frenchman were encouraging that he can solve the Blues’ problem
position.
Lampard made eight changes, but Werner was one of those retained
from the 3-3 draw at West Brom on Saturday and he took the
opportunity to get his first goal for the club after a big money
move from RB Leipzig.
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Reguilon was twice at fault in the build up as he gifted
possession to Azpilicueta and then dived in trying to block the
Spaniard’s cross, which allowed the Chelsea captain to pick out
Werner at the edge of the box to arrow a shot into the bottom
corner.
Tottenham responded well to going behind as only a last-ditch
intervention from Kurt Zouma denied Gedson Fernandes an
equaliser.
Lampard had won his previous three meetings against his former
manager Mourinho and the tensions between the two flared during the
first-half as they exchanged angry words on the touchline.
On the field, Spurs were the better side as Mendy made important
saves from Lamela and Reguilon either side of half-time.
Mourinho showed his intent by introducing Harry Kane from the
bench with 20 minutes to go.
Moments later the Portuguese was marching down the tunnel after
Dier as the defender made a dash to the dressing room before
quickly returning.
Chelsea did not make the most of a brief period with an extra
man as Callum Hudson-Odoi fired over and Werner’s fierce effort was
saved by Lloris.
And the visitors were punished seven minutes from time when
Lamela slotted home at the far post from Reguilon’s cross to send
the game to a shootout and ultimately Spurs into the last
eight.
AFP
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