Chelsea vs Arsenal as it happened – EFL Cup semi-final first leg
All the action from goalless draw at Stamford Bridge
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea host London rivals Arsenal as the two teams face off in the EFL Cup semi-finals. The 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium last Wednesday was a compelling contest so let's hope for more of the same at Stamford Bridge this evening in the first leg.
Arsene Wenger continues his three-match touchline ban at Stamford Bridge having served the first game of his suspension during Arsenal’s 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Complaints about referees landed the Frenchman in hot water, but he’ll be delighted to know VAR is being used in both legs of this semi-final.
Alexis Sanchez begins the game on the bench while Alex Iwobi starts despite his partying antics last week. Eden Hazard starts for Chelsea, and new signing Ross Barkley is still on his way back from a hamstring injury.
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45' - Cesar Azpilicueta finds Cesc Fabregas with a pinpoint cross from deep but the Spaniard's header is straight at David Ospina, who catches the ball.
That's Chelsea best chance of the match by far.
Half-time - Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
Martin Atkinson brings an end to the opening period and we're level at the break.
46' - Cesc Fabregas' low cross bounces all the way through to N'Golo Kante, who connects sweetly with his first-time strike, only to see teammate Andreas Christensen inadvertently block the ball.
48' - Big chance for Chelsea!
N'Golo Kante's cross is diverted towards Andreas Christensen by Marcos Alonso but the young defender puts his header over from just six yards out.
That should've been the game's opening goal.
51' - Granit Xhaka collects the first booking of the match for a foul on Antonio Rudiger 25 yards from the Arsenal goal.
54' - Cesc Fabregas delivers a wonderful corner in towards Marcos Alonso but the Spaniard can't quite make contact with his head.
Any touch by the Chelsea left-back there would surely have put his side in front.
56' - Alvaro Morata tries his luck from 25 yards but David Ospina springs to his right to parry the ball away.
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