Chelsea ease past Spurs into Carabao Cup final

Chelsea booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final as they eased past Tottenham 3-0 on aggregate.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg of their semi-final, Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger headed the only goal of the game early in the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to seal their passage to Wembley.

They will face Arsenal or Liverpool in the final, with their delayed second leg getting under way on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports Football.

For Tottenham, it is one more opportunity gone this season to end their 14-year trophy drought since they won this competition in 2008. They are likely now left with just the FA Cup.

Chelsea cruise past Spurs to set up Wembley date

It was the perfect start for Chelsea. It took a little longer than it did to open the scoring in the first leg, but after 18 minutes they were in front on the night as Rudiger arrived at the right time to head home Mason Mount’s corner.

Spurs were left with an uphill battle, and they briefly thought they might have a way back into the game as Antonio Rudiger brought down Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on 40 minutes and referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot. But a VAR check correctly concluded the foul took place outside the box, and the home side made nothing of the resulting free-kick.

Just before the hour mark, VAR came to Marriner’s rescue again, as he pointed to the spot for another Spurs penalty, thinking that Kepa Arrizabalaga had felled Lucas Moura, but it was clear that the Chelsea goalkeeper had cleanly taken the ball.

After 64 minutes, Spurs finally thought they had found a way back into the tie as Moura fed Kane and he found the back of the net, but the England captain was correctly adjudged by VAR to be offside.

Antonio Conte introduced Ryan Sessegnon and then Bryan Gil, but it wasn’t to be for Spurs. The long wait goes on.

Three correct VAR calls deny Spurs

Analysis: ‘Chelsea a class apart’

Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports Football:

“Chelsea were a class apart. They dominated the game, certainly in the first half, they were so comfortable. Tottenham were off it and Chelsea are a team you have to be perfect against. Spurs got better second half but Chelsea were in control.

“They had another gear to go up to. When you look at the subs both teams made. No disrespect to Tottenham but Chelsea are bringing on N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva and that’s the difference. With a couple of players out, Spurs didn’t have Son tonight, I think it shows you the gulf between the two teams. Hopefully if Antonio Conte gets the money he needs, they can get there but it will take time.”

Man of the Match: Antonio Rudiger

One sloppy moment aside for the foul on Hojbjerg that appeared briefly to have given Spurs a penalty, it was another impressive display from Rudiger. He looks as comfortable in the back four as he did in a back three. Chelsea will want to keep him at Stamford Bridge for as long as they can.

“We have confidence [to keep him] and have things to offer,” Tuchel told Sky Sports. “He is the player he is in a Chelsea shirt and in the Chelsea environment. I think he knows that very well.”

Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports Football:

“You have to sign him up. If you were to let him go in the summer you’ll need to spend ?50m to replace him and then have to give that player big wages.

“Chelsea are better off signing him and telling him how much of a massive part of the football club he is. He needs to feel love. It’s all there for him. He can achieve all the ambitions as the owner has always spent big money. They need to get him signed up quickly.”

Carabao Cup schedule

What’s next for Tottenham and Chelsea?

Both sides return to Premier League action at the weekend. Chelsea head to Manchester City on Saturday for a 12.30pm kick-off. Tottenham host Arsenal in the north London derby on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm. Kick-off 4.30pm.