Late drama as Chelsea secure semi-final place
Chelsea 2 Bournemouth 1
Alvaro Morata’s injury-time winner took Chelsea through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Willian’s early goal looked like being enough for the Blues until Dan Gosling netted a 90th-minute equaliser for Bournemouth.
But Morata, on as a substitute, struck almost immediately to clinch a dramatic Blues victory.
The Spaniard raced on to Eden Hazard’s back-heel and slotted the ball through the legs of keeper Artur Boric.
Willian had opened the scoring after 13 minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Michy Batshuayi directed a clever reverse pass towards Kenedy, whose cheeky backheel sent Cesc Fabregas through on goal.
Fabregas drew Boruc from his line and played the ball to Willian, who had the simple task of scoring from close range.
Batshuayi and Kenedy were among the fringe players given a chance to impress.
So too was 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu, who played at the heart of the Chelsea defence.
Ampadu was yellow-carded after just 90 seconds for a foul on Jermain Defoe, who went off shortly after Chelsea’s opening goal.
But the youngster settled down and impressed, producing several timely interceptions and timing a challenge to perfection when he dispossessed Adam Smith after the Bournemouth wing-back had got away from Gary Cahill.
Chelsea had to absorb pressure in the second half and substitute Jordan Ibe close for the Cherries when he fired narrowly wide of keeper Willy Caballero’s right-hand post.
Gosling eventually levelled with a right-footed strike from near the edge of the penalty area to seemingly force extra time.
However, the jubilant visitors switched off – and Morata and Hazard combined to take full advantage.
Chelsea: Caballero; Rudiger, Ampadu, Cahil); Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Fabregas, Kenedy; Willian (Hazard 61), Batshuayi (Morata 73), Pedro (Bakayoko 61).
Subs not used: Eduardo, Clarke-Salter, Sterling, Hudson-Odoi.
