SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 11 hrs 46 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
CL
EFL Cup | Semi-Finals
Jan 24, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
SL

2-1

Chelsea win 4-2 on penalties
Kante (27'), Hazard (38')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Llorente (50')

Chelsea have turned a corner after booking Carabao Cup final spot, says Sarri

:Headline: Chelsea have turned a corner after booking Carabao Cup final spot, says Sarri: ID:347860: from db_amp
Sarri has a chance of winning the first piece of silverware in his career.

Maurizio Sarri hopes Chelsea have overcome their motivational issues after advancing to the Carabao Cup final at the expense of Tottenham.

Sarri criticised his players' poor performance at Arsenal and singled out Eden Hazard as "not a leader" on the eve of the semi-final second leg with Spurs at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea overturned a first-leg deficit as N'Golo Kante and Hazard struck in the first half, but Fernando Llorente's header forced penalties, with the tie ending 2-2 on aggregate.

Eric Dier fired over and Lucas Moura's effort was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, before David Luiz kept his composure in a 4-2 shootout success as the Chelsea players answered Sarri's public rebuke with a fine performance to set up a February 24 final with Manchester City.

"I think the last three, four matches we had a problem," Sarri said.

"The problem was the motivation. The other problem was the players stopped to have fun on the pitch.

"Now, with the performance, with the result, we can find again enthusiasm. So it's very important.

"The reaction was really very good, but I think we need to have motivation with continuity now."

Eden Hazard thrived for Chelsea in the win over Tottenham (Nick Potts/PA)

Hazard shrugged off Sarri's pre-match critique, which saw his team ethic questioned.

Hazard told Sky Sports: "To be fair I don't care – I just play my football and it doesn't matter what the manager says.

"I'm always focused on this team and I just want to do my best for this team."

Sarri enjoyed the "fun" performance of Hazard, who relished being freed from the 'false nine' role he had occupied of late.

Sarri downplayed the impact of Hazard's positional switch, saying: "We played with another mind, with another motivation, with another determination and so I think these qualities are more important than the position."

Eric Dier missed his spot-kick as Tottenham were beaten on penalties by Chelsea (Nick Potts/PA)

Sarri has the chance of a first trophy of his managerial career, but Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino's wait for silverware goes on.

Pochettino took pride in a performance which came in the absence of injured duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli, and Son Heung-min, who is on international duty with South Korea.

"I'm proud of my players. I told the players that the way we came back after the first half, it was one of the best games we played," Pochettino said.

Dier scored the decisive penalty for England in the World Cup last-16 shootout with Colombia.

Pochettino said: "Anyone can miss who takes the responsibility to shoot. For me, it's not a problem."

Left-back Ben Davies went off with a minor groin problem, Pochettino added.

amp_article__347860 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-25 06:58:40:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 11:49:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Maurizio Sarri

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .