Chelsea took a big step towards the Carabao Cup final as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in the first-leg at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz gave the Blues the perfect start after just five minutes, before a bizarre Ben Davies own goal doubled Chelsea’s advantage in the first-half.
Spurs prevented any further damage in the second period, but it was not a happy return to Stamford Bridge for Antonio Conte and they have it all to do at home in the second-leg next week if they are to make it to the Wembley final.
Romelu Lukaku was recalled to Chelsea’s starting lineup after his apology to the club, and he was involved after 20 seconds as he burst away from the Tottenham defence but his ball into the box was behind Havertz.
Chelsea did not have to wait long for their opener though. Marcos Alonso pounced on a loose ball from Japhet Tanganga high up the pitch, and played it through to Havertz. The German was composed as his finished past Hugo Lloris, and Davinson Sanchez could only send his attempted clearance into the roof of the net.
The Blues continued to dominate possession, and they doubled their lead after 34 minutes. Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick into the box seemed to be a harmless one, but Tanganga’s headed clearance was straight into his teammate Davies and it bounced into the net for a farcical own goal.
It should have been even better for Chelsea just before the break, but Lukaku’s header glanced just wide of the post as half-time couldn’t come soon enough for Spurs.
The visitors improved immediately after the break, with Harry Kane having his free-kick saved as Tottenham registered their first shot of the match.
Timo Werner, introduced at half-time, went close twice, first after driving forward and cutting inside and then after a wonderful floated ball over the top from Ziyech. The German brought it down and tried to lob Lloris, but the Frenchman saved well.
Ziyech fired an effort over the bar himself, before Tanganga should have done better with a flicked header from a free-kick as Tottenham searched for something to take into the second-leg.
Bryan Gil showed great footwork on the left before crossing it in for Giovani Lo Celso in the 90th minute, but Kepa Arrizabalaga was up to task to secure the clean sheet and ensure Chelsea go into next week very much in control of the tie.
