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Chelsea played a near-perfect first half and were unlucky to only lead 2-0 (goals from Kante and Hazard) and still be facing 11 men. Spurs had offered very little and Chelsea showed the exact mentality that Sarri had been demanding.
The second half, as it so often happens, was a different story, with Spurs switching formation and approach, kicking everything in sight (and still getting away with it), and scoring a goal through Fernando Llorente of all players. Chelsea didn’t play particularly badly, outside of maybe the odd few minutes, but Spurs stepped up several gears and that made for an open, tense, and probably exciting (for the neutral) spectacle. Tremendously poor and one-sided refereeing didn’t help, nor did VAR falling asleep again.
Chelsea then regained control and came close through Hazard a couple times, but were unable to find the crucial winner in regulation. Giroud missed two more in added-on time, as we all glanced towards the ineligible Gonzalo Higuain sitting on the bench.
And so, penalties beckoned, since neither extra-time nor away goals apply in the League Cup.
Spurs went first, but Chelsea were perfect.
On to the final!!