CHELSEA again prevailed via penalty shootout – and once again had Kepa Arrizabalaga and Reece James to thank
After a 1-1 draw with Southampton, Kepa saved a crucial spot-kick and James fired in the decisive winner in a carbon copy of the previous round against Aston Villa.
The Blues won 4-3 in the shootout to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Here’s how Simon Phillips rated Thomas Tuchel’s performers.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7/10
Made a few easy saves in the first half and didn’t have a lot to do – but he gifted Southampton with the equaliser early in the second half.
He did then go on to make four or five top saves to keep Chelsea in the game late on and force a shootout, before a brilliant penalty save from Theo Walcott low down to his right.
Reece James – 7
He was a little quiet as he was playing as a centre-back rather than as a wing-back.
But he did his job well, defended strongly and used his physicality against a tough battling side. Scored the decisive penalty.
Trevoh Chalobah – 8
In Thiago Silva’s absence, Chelsea have a defender who is equally as calm and composed at the heart of the defence.
Played in the middle of the three and marshalled his defence, making a few good blocks and tackles to keep Chelsea in the game at times.
Malang Sarr – 5
He looked comfortable in the first half, but the second half he looked panicky and struggled when pressed.
Didn’t look much like Chelsea quality.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 7
Certainly wasn’t his best opening 45 minutes, although he was still one of the more threatening players in the Chelsea attack.
But in the second half he was a bit more lively and tried hard to make things happen. He did put his penalty away in the shootout as well.
Saul Niguez – 6
He was doing the basics well, but didn’t really bring anything extra to the table and was another guilty of needlessly giving away possession when Chelsea needed to keep it.
He was a goal threat in the second half though and probably should have scored.
Mateo Kovacic – 8
Chelsea’s only real bright spark in the first half trying to make things happen and often trying to keep possession for Chelsea by himself.
Marcos Alonso – 5
Poor in the first 45 minutes, he wasn’t doing enough in possession and gave it away a lot, was sloppy and did little to help break Southampton’s high press.
He was a bit of a passenger in the second half as well, but took a good penalty in the shootout.
Ross Barkley – 5
A few good touches and moments from him linking up with Havertz.
But overall he wasted a chance to stake a claim for a place in Tuchel’s team and was subbed off on 66 minutes.
Hakim Ziyech – 4
He had a terrible first half, there are no two ways about it, he was passing to Southampton players more than Chelsea’s and didn’t look on it at all.
His second half wasn’t any better and he got taken off on 66 minutes.
Kai Havertz – 7
He put Chelsea ahead with a lovely header and looked their biggest threat really in the first half.
He didn’t get a lot to work with and those around him weren’t firing either which didn’t help.
SUBS
Ben Chilwell for Ross Barkley (66 mins) – 6
Added some needed legs for Chelsea and helped keep possession. Scored his penalty in the shoot out.
Mason Mount for Hakim Ziyech (66 mins) – 6
Came on and missed a golden pass to put Havertz in, but his presence alone helped Chelsea’s intensity. Missed his penalty in the shootout.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
