Meet up with all of the motion from the EFL Cup semi-final second leg in North London
Arsenal secured their place at Wembley with a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday night time, sealing a 4-2 mixture victory in a tense EFL Cup semi-final second leg on the Emirates Stadium.
The hosts got here into the tie holding a slender mixture benefit and, from the outset, appeared content material to handle the sport somewhat than chase an early breakthrough.
Chelsea, needing a purpose to convey the tie degree, adopted a cautious strategy of their very own, establishing in a compact 3-5-2 form.
The primary half was quick on clear possibilities. Arsenal dominated possession however struggled to show management into significant openings, with Viktor Gyokeres largely remoted up entrance.
Chelsea’s most promising moments got here by Enzo Fernandez, who twice examined Kepa from vary, whereas Piero Hincapie pressured Robert Sanchez into a wise save on the different finish.
The goalless scoreline on the break mirrored a contest performed largely between the packing containers.
Chelsea confirmed extra intent after the restart, step by step committing further our bodies ahead because the second half wore on.
Fernandez continued to probe from distance, whereas late substitutions, together with Cole Palmer and Alejandro Garnacho, had been launched in an try and inject urgency into the assault.
The sport’s key second appeared to reach within the closing levels when Arsenal broke rapidly and Gabriel Martinelli went to floor below a problem from Trevoh Chalobah.
VAR reviewed the incident however dominated that the contact was pure, leaving Chelsea annoyed and nonetheless looking for a manner again into the tie.
As Chelsea pushed numbers ahead in stoppage time, gaps started to appear. That proved pricey within the 97th minute.
Declan Rice led a swift counter-attack from midfield and picked out Kai Havertz with a superbly weighted by ball. The previous Chelsea ahead rounded Sanchez and rolled the ball into the underside nook to settle the tie.
Chelsea had little time to reply, and Arsenal noticed out the ultimate moments to substantiate their development to the ultimate.
Whereas the efficiency was managed somewhat than fluent, Mikel Arteta’s facet did sufficient throughout each legs to earn a spot at Wembley, the place they’ll now look so as to add an elusive piece of silverware to their season.
