Tottenham have a mountain to climb to reach consecutive Carabao Cup finals after a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
First-half goals by Kai Havertz and a comical Ben Davies own goal put the Blues in complete control of the semi-final first leg, although Spurs can take some heart from an improved display after the interval.
Dan Kilpatrick was at Stamford Bridge to rate the Spurs players…
Hugo Lloris 7
Might have been more proactive at Chelsea’s free-kick for the second goal, although it was hard to really fault him. Made a smart stop to deny Timo Werner 1v1.
Japhet Tanganga 4
Had a nightmare. Sold Royal short for Chelsea’s opening goal and headed at Davies from point blank range for their second.
Davinson Sanchez 5
Might have done better for Havertz’s goal and struggled at the centre of the back three, where he was often uncomfortable in possession. Gave away the free-kick leading to Chelsea’s second.
Ben Davies 6
Unfortunate to score the second own goal. Tried to add thrust from left-back in the second half but rarely troubled Cesar Azpilicueta.
Emerson Royal 6
Caught flat footed by Marcos Alonso for Chelsea’s opener. Saw plenty of the ball but offered little in the way of thrust or a final pass, barring one cross for Lucas.
Oliver Skipp 6
One of his least effective displays of the season. Struggled to establish any midfield foothold in the first half as Chelsea overran their rivals.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 5
An uncharacteristically poor and often panicky performance. Rarely comfortable with possession or without.
Matt Doherty 4
Out of position on the left and often looked out of his depth. Struggled to make any inroads down his flank, and frequently lost the ball.
Lucas Moura 6
The only Spurs player who looked likely to make something happen on the ball in the first half, which wasn’t saying much. Volleyed a tough chance over in the second half.
Heung-min Son 4
Barely made an impact and rarely looked likely to in another tentative display.
Harry Kane 5
Tested Kepa with a low free-kick but otherwise largely ineffective. His passing radar, usually so accurate, was off.
Subs
Tanguy Ndombele (Doherty 46’) 6
Added a different dimension and posed the occasional threat, winning a free-kick on the edge of the box for Kane’s chance and flashes a shot high and wide.
Harry Winks (Oliver Skipp 73’) 6
Recycled the ball well but not enough time to make a major impact. Arguably deserves more minutes in the weeks ahead.
Giovani Lo Celso (Son 79’) 7
Forced Kepa into a save from Gil’s cross in Spurs’ best chance of the evening.
Bryan Gil (Lucas 79’) 7
Responsible for Spurs’ best chance, skinning Christian Pulisic on the outside and crossing for Lo Celso.
