Some fans react on Twitter as Chelsea beat Brentford 2-0 in the Carabao Cup
They left it late, but Chelsea beat Brentford 2-0 to secure a spot in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
Thomas Tuchel had made it clear from the get-go that he was not going to start his first-team stars tonight. He stuck to his word and three academy graduates in Jude Soonsup-Bell, Xavier Simons, and Harvey Vale were handed their senior debuts, with the latter previously making an appearance on the bench during the EFL Cup and the UCL tie against Malmo in November.
Few thought the Blues could control the game without their main men, but the presence of Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, Saul Niguez, and Mateo Kovacic ensured that the men in blue were in possession all the time. However, Brentford did not mind any of that, as they preferred playing on the counter-attack and created the most clear-cut chances in the first half.
Simons and Soonsup-Bell showed a glimmer of potential but could never grow into the game. Vale, however, was energetic, and his deft touches were a part of each attack the West London club orchestrated in the opening 30 minutes. The game was 0-0 at half-time, but Tuchel decided to bring on Jorginho and Christian Pulisic to have a greater hold over the ball.
Carabao Cup glory this year?
Sure enough, the Blues began to ponder ahead far more often. Saul pushed up a tad higher and provided protection to Marcos Alonso, who was sometimes the farthest man up the pitch for us. However, the deadlock was not broken until the 80th minute, a couple of minutes after N’Golo Kante was introduced.
A bit of trickery by the Frenchman on the edge of the box was followed up by an overlapping Reece James, who put in a delicious ball into the box and Pontus Jansson, through no fault of his own, thundered the ball into the roof of the net. This gave our side an increased incentive to push up in the final minutes.
Eventually, a counter-attack saw Kante running between the spaces again before threading a ball between Pulisic and the Brentford keeper. The American got there first and won a penalty, with Jorginho calmly slotting it from the spot.
Despite having a ton of players out on the night and playing the youth for a major part of the game, the men in blue secured a comfortable victory against the first team of a well-drilled Brentford side. Let us see how some fans reacted to the victory on Twitter as the Blues sealed a spot in the semi-final of the EFL Cup.
Oh what fun it is to see Chelsea win away. 😉 🎶#BreChe pic.twitter.com/oG0ziHwJz2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 22, 2021
For 2 consecutive games now Kante has been our most influential attacking player and he’s just coming back from an injury. He really can do it all.
— . (@ForeverBlue_07) December 22, 2021
Much better performance today I think we should use some of these youngsters like Vale more often
— Raf (@CFC_Raf) December 22, 2021
Back to winning ways. Players coming back from injury. Saul and Kepa cooking. The Carabao Cup is coming home
— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh) December 22, 2021
FT Brentford 0-2 Chelsea
— Nicholas Benedict (@N1cBenedict) December 22, 2021
Tuchel threw money and quality in 2nd half and that’s the difference in the end.
All the subs were calculated and on point, despite many not happy with 60min Ross.
Kepa saved us 1st half, our subs finished the job
Wouldn’t win title but cup surely?
Vale deserves Barkley's space in the squad imo. Barkley honestly gives bakayoko a run for his money when it comes to worst Chelsea players in recent history.
— – (@EmperorLeIouch) December 22, 2021
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A much needed win after weeks of unpleasant situations.
— MBröwn (@irigo_m) December 22, 2021
Kepa actually kept us in this game with two fantastic saves in first Half.
Academy were decent but our substitutes made the huge difference.
Saul didn't put a wrong foot all game and I'm happy for him.
C'mon Chels 💙💙😉
For 2 consecutive games now Kante has been our most influential attacking player and he's just coming back from an injury. He really can do it all.
— . (@ForeverBlue_07) December 22, 2021
