A Blue Up North reviews Chelsea’s quarter final clash against Bournemouth.
This midweek saw the quarter finals of this season’s English Football League Cup as Chelsea hosted Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. Victory for The Blues would mean that Maurizio Sarri would be just one more hurdle away from a final at Wembley and his first chance to win silverware with the West London club.
With this in mind, the manager opted for a fairly strong line up. Marcos Alonso and Jorginho were given rests, while David Luiz, N’Golo Kante, Pedro and Eden Hazard were all on an impactful looking bench. In came Andreas Christensen, Emerson Palmieri, Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Olivier Giroud.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe also named a strong line up including Callum Wilson, who has been heavily linked as Chelsea’s next striker. Junior Stanislas, who has scored in his last 2 League Cup matches for The Cherries, also started in a mix of first team regulars and squad players.
The prematch fireworks were then continued on the pitch by in particular Willian, who’s energy and aptitude looked like being the catalyst to a Blues opening goal. The Brazilian had a hand in forcing 4 early corners and had the first strike on goal. Loftus-Cheek also showed early glimpses as the home side started on the front foot and pegged the Bournemouth defence back.
But after an impressive opening spell in which The Blues did everything but score, the match started to level off. A Bournemouth counter attack gave Wilson his first opportunity, but he shot wide of the target. It was a sign of how the next phase of the match would be. Chelsea continued to dominate and Giroud had a couple of chances, but Bournemouth were excellent on the counter attack and Kepa Arrizabalaga produced a stunning save to keep the tie goalless.
But it remained with the hosts still having the majority of the chances, but Artur Boruc and his defence held out. Then on 61 minutes, Eden Hazard replaced Ross Barkley and the Belgian was able to be the extra spark that this tie needed for their to be a winner. It is not only his personal skill and vision levels that can make the difference, but he has an uplifting influence on his fellow teammates around him.
Then with only 6 minutes remaining, Hazard won the tie for The Blues. He had already had a shot that narrowly sailed over the bar and another attempt from 30 yards that was well saved by Boruc. But he linked up with Pedro before firing in the only goal of the match via a deflection off the unlucky Charlie Daniels. It was Hazard’s 10th strike for Chelsea in all competitions so far this season, and his 99th in total for The Blues.
The victory has set up a semi final against old foes Tottenham Hotspur, with the first leg at wherever they are playing their home matches in January and the second leg back at Stamford Bridge. They are sure to be feisty affairs, especially after recent games against each other and, of course, the winner will be heading to Wembley in February for a chance to win this season’s first trophy.
Maurizio Sarri and all at Chelsea will be extremely focused and aiming to do precisely that.
Written by Jon Ellis, home and away season ticket holder. Follow him on Twitter @ClitheroeBlue
