The Narrow Win-
Chelsea were victorious against Everton in the round of 16 clash of Carabao Cup with a margin of 2-1 on Wednesday night. This victory had leaded Chelsea to the quarter final of the prestigious tournament. This was the first match of Everton after sacking of their manager Ronald Koeman. The only thing they can take from the match with them would be the consolation goal of Calvert-Lewin at the dying moment of the match.
Antonio Conte had preferred 3-4-3 formation for the match against Everton. Antonio Conte had rotated his starting lineup heavily because of the tight schedule of Chelsea in the upcoming days. Willy Caballero had started in the Chelsea Goal in that match. Christensen, Rudiger and Cahill were the three central defenders chosen for the match. Zappacosta and Kenedy were the two wing-backs playing for Chelsea for the match. Ampadu and Drinkwater had started in the heart of the midfield for them. Willian and Musonda had started along with Batshuayi in the upfront of the field for Chelsea.
Everton had started the match with a 4-5-1 formation. Pickford was in the Goal of Everton.Baines, Williams, Jagielka and Kenny had started in the defense for them. Mirallas, Davies, Baningme, McCarthy and Lennon had featured in the midfield while Rooney was the lone striker in the field.
Antonio Rudiger’s stunning header at the 26th minute of the match had given Chelsea the lead in the first half of the match. Ashley Williams was booked in the first half for a bad foul at 28th minute of the match. Chelsea had got several chances in the match through out the first half and didn’t able to convert them. The first half had ended with Chelsea leading by 1 goal.
In the second half Everton had gone physical.Tom Davies, James McCarthy and Phil Jagielka were booked within the first 15 minutes of the second half. At 62nd minute of the match, Cesc Fabregas came in place of Danny Drinkwater who got his first chance of the season for Chelsea in this match. Calvert-Lewin also came in place of McCarthy at 64th minute of the match for Everton. Pedro and Morata also came in for Chelsea in place of Musonda and Batshuayi respectively. Niasse and Lookman were also on for Everton in place of Rooney and Lennon. Willian’s goal from the pass of Fabregas at the stoppage time had doubled the lead for Chelsea. At the last moment Calvert-Lewin’s goal had decreased the margin to 2-1 for Everton. The match had ended with the same scoreline.
With this victory Chelsea are through to the quarter final of Carabao Cup of this season. Chelsea will now play against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday while Everton will face Leicester City on Sunday in the Premier League.
Conte will hope that his team can replicate some of this form in the upcoming games and try to dethrone Manchester City from the top of the Premier League table. If the Blues keep winning and put pressure on their domestic rivals, there could still be a serious title race this term, with a lot of matches left to be played still.
