Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is relishing the prospect of one other London derby after the Blues beat Brentford to land a Carabao Cup semi-final tie in opposition to Tottenham.
The Blues navigated a difficult all-west London encounter after an personal objective and a Jorginho penalty fired them to a 2-0 win on the Brentford Group Stadium.
They had been instantly paired with Spurs and boss Tuchel mentioned: “It was clear it was all the time going to be a powerful draw, with 4 powerful groups, however Tottenham is good for our followers. It’s a London derby and we’re wanting ahead to it.”
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Along with his squad nonetheless ravaged by Covid-19, Tuchel handed debuts to academy prospects Harvey Vale, Jude Soonsup-Bell and Xavier Simons for his or her last-eight assembly with their neighbours.
But it surely was substitutes N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Mason Mount and Jorginho who turned the tie in Chelsea’s favour.
Kante, who Tuchel had maintained wouldn’t be concerned as a consequence of his lack of health, offered the spark behind their opener 10 minutes from time.
The midfielder’s fast ft on the sting of the world evaded a few Brentford challenges earlier than he slid in James, whose cross was bundled into his personal web by Pontus Jansson.
Three minutes later Mount was clumsily tripped by Brentford keeper Alvaro Fernandez and Jorginho fired the Blues by means of.
“We had an excellent efficiency and an excellent consequence, given the circumstances,” added the Chelsea boss.
“We had been very disciplined, very structured and had particular person high quality. Nicely performed to the boys. I’m tremendous comfortable.
“The three boys did nicely. They didn’t practice for per week as a result of the academy was closed, then we invited them to coach with us for 2 days.
“They listened fastidiously and did their job. And the seven guys that performed with them supported them. They did nicely and had been concerned in a great efficiency.”
Defeat meant the Bees missed out on a second successive semi-final within the competitors, in opposition to the facet that beat them final season.
Boss Thomas Frank mentioned: “In response to the sport plan we gave nothing away and so they couldn’t discover a answer, and we had by far the most effective probabilities within the first half. So first half, tick! We should always have been in entrance.
“However within the second half we struggled to create something. We defended nicely and gave nothing away till the eightieth minute, after we wanted to do higher.
“Pontus will blame himself however he’s had a incredible season. Two minor errors gave them their objectives and that was the distinction immediately.”