‘There’s lots to like’ – Lampard reacts as Chelsea are knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Mourinho’s Spurs | OneFootball

Frank Lampard sought to reach for the positives after his Chelsea side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening.

The away side made eight changes from their disappointing draw with West Brom on Saturday and made a bright start the match, Cesar Azpilicueta teeing up Timo Werner to smartly slot home his first Chelsea goal since his arrival from RB Leipzig earlier this summer.

In truth, the Blues opener was one of few moments of quality in what was a cagey and fiery affair, the most exciting part of the first period perhaps a heated exchange between Lampard and his former boss Jose Mourinho on the touchline.

To Spurs’ credit, they came out much brighter in the second half, Sergio Reguilon bursting into the box yet seeing his effort palmed away by Edouard Mendy. As for the Blues, they were far quieter in that second period, yet remained a threat on the break, both Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi coming close to finding a second.

Lampard’s men were then made to rue those missed chances as Spurs pounced, Spaniard Reguilon crossing for Erik Lamela to finish calmly from close range with just seven minutes remaining – that goal taking the match to penalties.

Despite successfully netting their first four spot-kicks, young Mason Mount’s miss sent the hosts into the next round, Spurs having scored all five of their penalties in the shootout. After seeing his side exit the competition, Lampard expressed that he was ‘happy with bits’ of his side’s performance, yet was critical that they could not quite get that crucial second goal that their first-half dominance deserved.

“Anything can happen on penalties, you want to stay in these competitions of course but there’s lots to like,” Lampard told Sky Sports.

”We dominated the first half but the game changed, I’m happy with bits.

“They went long in the second half, missed our press out, a clear change in tactics from them and we need to improve on that. We can react better. If we get the second goal when on top and be more positive – that will come.

“We looked tired at the end which was understandable given where we are at. Timo Werner had some cramping at the end so he didn’t take a penalty.”

Chelsea will look to bounce back against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

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