Chelsea make superiority count as they build handy lead to take to Spurs

League Cup Semi-Final first leg

Chelsea (2) 2 Tottenham (0) 0

Havertz 5, Davies og 34

Chelsea took a big stride towards the Carabao Cup final thanks to a dominant first-half display – in which they forced two goals – and a disciplined second half.

It was not the return to Stamford Bridge Spurs boss Antonio Conte wanted and although next week’s second leg in north London is not quite a formality, he knows his team will have to improve greatly to stand a chance of overturning the 2-0 lead.

Here we take a look at how the respective teams fared.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)

Kepa Arrizabalaga 6

Spurs gave him very little to do. Kept out a Kane free-kick and dealt with a couple of high balls.

Cesar Azpilicueta 6

As Son and Spurs woke from their slumber, the Chelsea skipper was dragged out of his comfort zone a little but no-one got the better of him.

Malang Sarr 6

A confident, reassuringly robust presence for the Blues. Relished his tussles with Kane, though he was booked for smacking the England striker in the face when they rose for a bouncing ball.

Antonio Rudiger 6

Almost stole a goal at the far post from a corner. The Blues were on the front-foot so much that he had plenty of scope to venture forward.

Marcos Alonso 6

Early burst past Emerson Royal after error from Tanganga paved the way for Chelsea opener.

Saul 8

Great tackle to halt one of those trademark Kane to Son moves typified his ability to sniff out danger in a Kante-lite kind of way. A great shift. Ruben Loftus-Cheek came on to give the Spaniard a rest with 20 to go.

Jorginho 6

Another of those days where the Italian seems to defy the very idea of being one of the best players in the world. Unremarkable but important, as ever, in keeping the team's shape.

Hakim Ziyech 8

At his impish best. A good dummy and a clipped shot which just cleared the crossbar from just outside the area showed his intent. Put a goal on a plate for Lukaku, which was spurned. Might have done better after being fed by Lukaku in front of goal. Pulisic replaced him with 11 to go.

Kai Havertz 6

Got in behind the Spurs defenders to force the first goal but took a slight knock in the process. Replaced by Werner at half-time.

Mason Mount 6

Good in the first half, when he was often seen picking up balls in those Frank Lampard-like positions outside the box. But faded a little, to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic after 72 minutes.

Romelu Lukaku 5

Missed a sitter of a header from a fine Ziyech cross which would have made it 3-0 before the break. Looked eager to please, as well he might after his groveling apology for ‘that’ interview. At times, though, it looked as if he was trying too hard.

Timo Werner 6

Beloved by fans, as ever, he almost repaid them by rippling the net after drifting to the left edge of the area before letting fly. Should have converted sublime Ziyech pass but chip was saved.

SPURS (3-4-3)

Hugo Lloris 6

Plucked a Werner chip out of the air to prevent a third Chelsea goal. No chance with the goals which flew past him.

Japhet Tanganga 4

Sold Emerson Royal short with a pass that Alonso intercepted for Chelsea’s early success and then saw his attempt at a headed clearance fly back past him and into the net off Davies. Has had better days.

Davinson Sanchez 6

Blameless as he tried to stop Havertz strike from finding the net but gave as good as he got in challenges with Lukaku.

Ben Davies 5

Could do little to avoid the own goal which doubled Chelsea’s lead. Was in the wrong place when Tanganga’s attempted headed clearance cannoned off him and past Lloris.

Emerson Royal 6

In common with his team-mates, he grew into the contest after an uncharacteristically timid opening 45 minutes.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 6

As energetic as always, but spent too much of his time being harried and outnumbered by blue shirts to start the moves Spurs needed to fashion.

Oliver Skipp 5

Hard working but not massively influential. Replaced by Harry Winks for the final 20 minutes.

Matt Doherty 5

Some promising early incursions into enemy territory from the left wing-back station came to nothing and Antonio Conte increased the ballast by introducing Tanguy Ndombele at the break.

Lucas Moura 6

Tried manfully to get things going for Spurs in the first half as they wilted under the pressure of Chelsea’s dominance. Bryan Gil replaced the Brazilian as Conte shuffled his pack towards the end.

Harry Kane 5

A miserable night for the striker – one that resembled his early-season travails rather than the recently-rejuvenated dangerman we have been seeing. Must feel his trophy search is as far away as ever after this first leg.

Son Heung-Min 6

Much more involved in the second half, as Spurs picked up the pace, but no real chances came his way and he departed a disappointed figure with 10 to go – Gio Lo Celso coming on.

Tanguy Ndombele 7

Made an instant impression after being brought on to start the second half. Gave Spurs a foothold in midfield at last. Won a free-kick which Kane drilled low at Kepa and fired over from distance.