EFL Cup 2021, Brentford Community Stadium: The host, Brentford, were brilliant however they failed to find a way through Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea as usual handle 68% of the game. With 88% pass accuracy and 734 passes completely.
Chelsea’s youngsters were on the mark in EFL Cup 2021 fixture.
As the situation for any team is not ideal, Chelsea too are having trouble putting up a team. With many players tested COVID-19 positive while some are in isolation, Thomas Tuchel still managed to put a decent team on the field.
All thanks to the debutant who played their part in a win. Mendy got to rest as Kepa took his spot. The shape looked a 3-4-1-2. Sarr, Chalobah, and Cesar handled the backline, while Alonso, Saul, Kovacic, and Simons(17 years old) were in the mid-field.
Ross Barkley was put in at CAM and the two 18-year-olds, Soonsup-Bell and Jude Vale were the strikers.
Thomas Tuchel: “Some of the guys who played today were youngsters […] in the middle of a match like this at Brentford, you have to take responsibility. It is not easy. I am very happy with how we did this, very disciplined, very structured with a lot of confidence and quality so well done to the boys.
“They did well. They hadn’t trained for a week because the academy was closed for Covid and then we invited them into training two days ago, so two sessions with us. They listened carefully and did their jobs, they did good.
“Also, full credit to the seven guys they played with. They took care of and made sure they did the right stuff and were supportive. Well done to the three guys and well done to the other seven.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga was a robot standing there at the post. Saving three shots that were surely in the goal-scoring territory.
The first half ended with no goals on either side. Both the teams found some opportunities, but couldn’t score. Both the keepers were keen to have their clean sheet intact.
The second half was the one where all the fun started. Chelsea, after having their 1st team on the ground, managed to create an attack which led to an own goal.
The ball was on the right flank of the ground when N’golo Kante showed his midfield madness to dribble between 2 players and pass it to Reece James. Reece then curved in a low corner which was received by Pontus Jansson. Jansson put the ball in the back of the net to give Chelsea their lead.
Just after scoring the first goal Chelsea again entered the offensive box, when Mount’s through ball was received by Christian Pulisic. Pulisic was Stumbled by the keeper and Chelsea received a penalty.
Jorginho showed his magic from the spot. After doing his trademark hop and shoot he forced the keeper the other way to score the second for Chelsea.
Chelsea is to face Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final of the EFL Cup 2021 in the coming weekends.
