Chelsea reached their second consecuctive Carling Cup final with a stubborn performance and a simple but stunning goal from Joe Cole. Here’s my notes on last night’s game…
Everton 0 Chelsea 1
While Spurs reached the Carling Cup final in delcious style, Chelsea hurdled their semi-final obstacle with ominous efficiency. Resolute in defence once again, the goal that took them to Wembley was direct and clinical in execution. A sixth goal of the season in all competitions for Cole, firing the ball past Howard after expertly controlling Malouda’s raking pass.
Everton carved out few chances. Arteta’s delivery caused problems at set-pieces but when they did breach through Chelsea’s rearguard they found Cech in fine form. Moyes dropped Hibbert to the bench, shifting Neville to right-back in order to hand Fernandes a first start in midfield since his return on loan from Valencia. Everton were otherwise unchanged with Valente once again at left-back and Cahill pushed up to support Johnson up front.
It was a 4-4-1-1 for Moyes then, although that’s likely to change next time out with Cahill suspended having picked up a fifth booking in this game. Moyes won’t have the option to shift Neville back into midfield with Hibbert also banned so that’s likely to see Anichebe handed a start against Spurs on Wednesday.
For Chelsea, Wright-Phillips made the lineup having recovered from the ankle injury sustained at Birmingham at the weekend. Ballack wasn’t so lucky however, he was suffering from a “minor” calf injury according to Grant. Sidwell came took his place. Elsewhere, Chelsea were unchanged with Anelka once again leading the line with Wright-Phillips bombing on to support from midfield.
The Chelsea defence, even without Terry, has kept nine clean sheets in the last eleven games. Alex was once again, superb here and will continue to find fantasy suitors. Belletti’s forthcoming suspension after picking up his fifth booking in this game is a blow. He’d just established himself ahead of Ferreira at right-back but has now handed a further opportunity to his rival in the home game with Reading next Wednesday. At left-back Ashley Cole looks secure, however, with the Champions League approaching, we could see some rotation from Grant.
Indeed, things are going to get tough fixture wise for Chelsea. In February they face a vital home clash with Liverpool in the Premiership, the Carling Cup Final against Spurs and the first leg of their Champions League Quarter-Final with Olympiakos, one after the other. It’s tough to see where in that run Grant will be able to rest players, although it’s likely that Terry and certainly Lampard, will be back in the reckoning to shake things up in the lineup.
Injuries and Bans
Cahill picked up his fifth booking of the season, although many reports seem to have missed it. This means he’ll miss the Spurs game next Wednesday along with Hibbert. Neville and Carsley moved on to four bookings for the season here.
Belletti also earned his fifth booking for Chelsea and will miss next week’s game against Reading.