After a frustrating night at the Stamford Bridge, Chelsea had Eden Hazard to thank as he came from the bench to notch in the match winner in the 84th to send The Blues to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Barkley chance
Looking to win their first English Football League Cup currently known as Carabao Cup due to sponsorship reasons for the first time since 2015, Chelsea were off the blocks looking to grab an early lead that would unsettle Bournemouth. Ross Barkley was the first to have a crack on goal after Ruben Loftus-Cheek made a surging run to lay the ball off to the former Everton man but his effort was denied by a fingertip save from Boruc.
Wilson chance
With reports that Chelsea are willing to break the bank to land him, Callum Wilson should have done better with his shot in the 16th minute after being set up by Lys Mousset but the England international's shot failed to hit the target as he didn’t catch his shot well.
Willian chip
Chelsea had another brilliant chance to break the deadlock in at the stroke of the hour mark when Loftus-Cheek played Willian through on goal but his attempted chip cannoned off Boruc and the Brazilian’s follow up cross found no one inside the box.
Mousset chance
The first half was an end to end game with Bournemouth again presented with a chance, this time Mousset calling Kepa to a brilliant save reminding football fans why he broke the world record fee for a goalkeeper when he made the move from Athletico Bilbao to the London club.
Second half
Chelsea had a mirror start to the second half and got their chance 10 minutes after the resumption of the second half when Loftus-Cheek who had been lively in the game played a give and take pass with Azpilicueta and released a shot that shaved the upright on it’s way out.
Hazard goal
With Maurizio Sarri frustrated by the proceedings as he introduced Eden Hazard for Ross Barkley as Chelsea continued to push for a winner in the game. The Blues had to wait till the 84th minute when Pedro fed Hazard with a backheel pass that the Belgian fired home via a deflection from Charlie Daniels to hand Chelsea the lead.
Late chances
Giroud had a 92nd-minute chance to put the game beyond Bournemouth but his shot was saved by Boruc. Chelsea withered a late storm by Bournemouth as The Cherries had a goalmouth melee finally cleared by Christiansen in the 95th minute.
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