Arsenal’s Swedish striker #14 Viktor Gyokeres (2nd right) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal with teammates during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in London on Wednesday. Photo: Ben STANSALL / AFP Liam Rosenior admitted Chelsea paid the price for costly mistakes after Arsenal took advantage of his side’s blunders to win 3-2 in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday. Chelsea were guilty of sloppy marking for Ben White’s early headed opener before goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted striker Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal’s second goal after half-time.
Alejandro Garnacho got one back for Chelsea but Martin Zubimendi then netted for Arsenal after more lacklustre defending from Rosenior’s men. Substitute Garnacho’s second goal gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium in February. “Disappointed to concede from a corner.
Disappointed with the third goal as well because we were right back in the game and we were on top at that moment,” Rosenior said. “We switched off from a restart from a central free-kick but I can’t fault the players. “We need to make sure we perform well individually and we don’t concede as many goals.” Rosenior was without a host of key players, including Cole Palmer, Reece James and Liam Delap, due to injuries and illness.
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In his second game since replacing Enzo Maresca as Blues boss, the 41-year-old took heart from the way Chelsea kept fighting to find a way back into the tie. “We’ve had illness in the squad, we’ve picked up a few knocks this week but what the squad has shown is that they are willing to run and fight for each other,” he said.
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