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Sunday 1 March 2015

Jubilant Chelsea Boss Ends Wait For A Trophy As Chelsea Brush Aside Tottenham To Lift Capital One Cup

Chelsea
CHELSEA 2-0 TOTTENHAM - MARTIN SAMUEL AT WEMBLEY: John Terry's strike and an own goal from Kyle Walker proved enough for victory. Long before the end, gaps were appearing in the white half of Wembley. They had seen this show before. So had we all. The last time he was here Jose Mourinho served notice by winning the League Cup.

Long before the end, gaps were appearing in the white half of Wembley Stadium. They had seen this show before. So had we all. The last time he was here Jose Mourinho served notice, winning the League Cup as the preamble to something greater. Here we go again. Rivals in the Premier League can count themselves officially told.
Chelsea deserved this for a display that advertised their finest qualities: a defensive cussedness, good organisation, bold decision making on the part of the manager and the certainty in front of goal that wins cups. 

John Terry collected an individual prize, too, the Alan Hardaker Trophy as man of the match. Rightly so. He scored Chelsea's first goal, was a rock at the back, as ever, and put in a blocking tackle late in the game that is now his trademark. Nobody throws himself towards the danger quite like Terry. It is as if he is taking a bullet for the team, or smothering a grenade. 
Chelsea captain John Terry lifts the Capital One Cup after leading his side to a comfortable victory over Tottenham at Wembley
Chelsea captain John Terry lifts the Capital One Cup after leading his side to a comfortable victory over Tottenham at Wembley
Confetti is released as the Chelsea team line up having collected their first piece of silverware of the season
Confetti is released as the Chelsea team line up having collected their first piece of silverware of the season
Manager Jose Mourinho gets his hands on the trophy as he celebrates winning the first cup of his second spell as boss
Jose Mourinho appears emotional as he waits to lift the trophy
Mourinho appears emotional as he waits to lift the trophy
Mourinho appeared emotional as he waited to walk up and lift the Capital One Cup after Chelsea's victory
Branislav Ivanovic celebrates after full time in the Capital One Cup final between Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley 
Branislav Ivanovic celebrates after full time in the Capital One Cup final between Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley 
Mourinho lies on the ground as Chelsea celebrate winning the Capital One Cup at Wembley on Sunday
Mourinho lies on the ground as Chelsea celebrate winning the Capital One Cup at Wembley on Sunday
Mourinho joined in as Chelsea celebrated beating Tottenham to lift the Capital One Cup trophy at Wembley
Mourinho joined in as Chelsea celebrated beating Tottenham to lift the Capital One Cup trophy at Wembley
Mourinho celebrates the Capital One Cup final win with his team as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0 at Wembley
Mourinho celebrates the Capital One Cup final win with his team as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0 at Wembley
Mourinho walks away behind the stage after Chelsea lift the trophy and are crowned Capital One Cup winners
Mourinho walks away behind the stage after Chelsea lift the trophy and are crowned Capital One Cup winners
Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas (left), Cesar Azpilicueta (centre) and Diego Costa with their winners' flag after the final whistle
Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas (left), Cesar Azpilicueta (centre) and Diego Costa with their winners' flag after the final whistle
Chelsea's players, some with the flags of their home countries, prepare to take a dive on the Wembley turf in celebration
Chelsea's players, some with the flags of their home countries, prepare to take a dive on the Wembley turf in celebration
Diego Costa, John Terry and Didier Drogba start the celebrations after the final whistle as Chelsea prepare to lift the trophy
Diego Costa, John Terry and Didier Drogba start the celebrations after the final whistle as Chelsea prepare to lift the trophy
Chelsea tweeted this photograph from inside their dressing room as the players celebrated the 2-0 victory over their London rivals
Chelsea tweeted this photograph from inside their dressing room as the players celebrated the 2-0 victory over their London rivals
Gary Cahill tweeted that he was 'absolutely buzzing'
Oscar posted this photograph on Twitter
Gary Cahill tweeted that he was 'absolutely buzzing' while Oscar posted the photograph on the right on Twitter
Nathan Ake posted his selfie with Diego Costa on Instagram
Ramires did the same as he posed with the trophy and posted it on Instagram
Nathan Ake posted his selfie with Diego Costa on Instagram (left) while Ramires did the same as he posed with the trophy
Cesc Fabregas posted this 'selfie with the cup' on Twitter
Thibaut Courtois posted this group photo on his Instagram account
Cesc Fabregas posted this 'selfie with the cup' on Twitter while Thibaut Courtois posted a group photo on his Instagram account 
Harry Kane applauds the Tottenham fans while Chelsea celebrate behind him after winning the Capital One Cup final 2-0
Harry Kane applauds the Tottenham fans while Chelsea celebrate behind him after winning the Capital One Cup final 2-0
Roberto Soldado had little chance to make an impact in the final as he is surrounded by joyful Chelsea players 
Tottenham's Christian Eriksen stands with his hands on his hips after the final whistle as Tottenham's defeat starts to sink in
Tottenham's Christian Eriksen stands with his hands on his hips after the final whistle as Tottenham's defeat starts to sink in
As Chelsea celebrate in the background, Mousa Dembele is left to wonder what might have been as Tottenham finish as runners-up
As Chelsea celebrate in the background, Mousa Dembele is left to wonder what might have been as Tottenham finish as runners-up
Danny Rose sits disconsolate on the Wembley turf as their London rivals get ready to start the party at the national stadium
Danny Rose sits disconsolate on the Wembley turf as their London rivals get ready to start the party at the national stadium

MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6; Walker 5.5, Dier 5.5, Vertonghen 6, Rose 5.5; Bentaleb 5, Mason 5.5 (Lamela 71 6); Chadli 5.5 (Soldado 80), Eriksen 6.5, Townsend 5.5 (Dembele 62 6); Kane 5.
Subs not used: Vorm, Davies, Fazio, Stambouli,
Booked: Dier, Bentaleb
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 5
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech 7; Ivanovic 7, Cahill 7.5, Terry 8.5, Azpilicueta 7; Ramires 6.5, Zouma 6; Hazard 7.5, Fabregas 7.5 (Oscar 88), Willian 7 (Cuadrado 76); Diego Costa 8 (Drogba 90).
Subs not used: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Ake, Remy.
Booked: Cahill, Cuadrado, Willian
Manager: Jose Mourinho 7.5
Referee: Anthony Taylor 7
MOTM: Terry
Attendance: 89,297
He is a Mourinho man, too, his determination the definition of a Mourinho team. Having scored five when these teams met at White Hart Lane in January, Tottenham must have fancied their chances here. In truth, they never had a sniff. 
Christian Eriksen hit the bar after ten minutes and Tottenham had plenty of possession, but mostly at arm's length from Petr Cech in goal. Not that this was a defensive display. 
Chelsea attacked, and scored when it mattered, either side of half-time to knock the stuffing out of Tottenham, but it was their resilience that impressed. The transformation since New Year's Day is the mark of an intelligent group. 
Shorn of Nemanja Matic – who delivered the pre-match team talk, and appeared with the team in full kit to celebrate at the end – Mourinho deployed his 20-year-old central defender Kurt Zouma in defensive midfield and watched him mature before Wembley's eyes. 
A difficult start with Eriksen running off him, soon became a controlled, commanding display. Who knows if he will one day be a Marcel Desailly type, as comfortable in the heart of midfield or in a back four as the occasion demands, but time is certainly on his side.
Just as ominous, for those tasked with stopping Chelsea claiming the Premier League title too, was the sight of Diego Costa returning to form. His goal may have needed a deflection off Kyle Walker, but it was his, and deservedly so. He was awkward, physically imposing, occasionally annoying, but utterly marvellous in the way he tests opposition defenders. There really is nobody quite like him in the English game and Chelsea had the last of his type, too: Didier Drogba.
Mourinho gave Drogba the last minute and a medal here, the old softie, and reintroduced Petr Cech, the goalkeeper that had taken Chelsea through three of the previous rounds. Michael Vorm had done even more in this competition for Tottenham, but was ditched in favour of Hugo Lloris. That was harsh from Mauricio Pochettino – he should have danced with the girl he took to the ball. Lloris now has a runners-up medal and Vorm, one presumes, a sense of resentment.
It is the poor relation, the Capital One Cup, and now that the Europa League winners get a pass to the Champions League, probably the fifth biggest prize in English football. 
Yet Mourinho does not treat it so. He regards it as the springboard for greater success, and talked up its role in this, his second term. His reaction at the end suggested this was no mere soundbite. He hugged, he cavorted, he struck daft poses in front of the winners' podium, and then sprinted round the back to mount the steps and join his players in bouncing like over-excited toddlers.
'Finals are not for playing,' Mourinho said, 'they are for winning. We did not have a problem today.' He did not mean it as brutally as it sounded. He said Pochettino was building a very good team at Tottenham, and he is right. There is great potential, but on Sunday that was all Tottenham showed. Chelsea looked like the winners; Chelsea looked like champions. 
Terry fires the ball home via a deflection off Eric Dier to put Chelsea in front on the stroke of half time at Wembley
Terry fires the ball home via a deflection off Eric Dier to put Chelsea in front on the stroke of half time at Wembley
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is left stranded after Terry's deflected effort flew past him and into the net at the end of the first half
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is left stranded after Terry's deflected effort flew past him and into the net at the end of the first half
Terry peels away to celebrate with Costa as Eden Hazard raises his arms in adulation following his captain's opening strike
Terry peels away to celebrate with Costa as Eden Hazard raises his arms in adulation following his captain's opening strike
Terry is joined by Costa and Gary Cahill as the blue half of Wembley erupts thanks to the Chelsea captain's effort
Terry is joined by Costa and Gary Cahill as the blue half of Wembley erupts thanks to the Chelsea captain's effort
Costa shot was deflected into his own net by Kyle Walker as Tottenham fall further behind and Chelsea's celebrations begin
Costa shot was deflected into his own net by Kyle Walker as Tottenham fall further behind and Chelsea's celebrations begin
Diego Costa celebrates after his shot was deflected past Hugo Lloris
Costa celebrates after his shot was deflected past Hugo Lloris
Costa spreads his arms wide in celebration as he puts the seal on Chelsea's Capital One Cup victory at Wembley
It was a game that in many ways reflected the narrative strands of Chelsea's season. Eden Hazard got kicked a lot, Costa put it about a lot, and Mourinho waved his arms in fury. 
The game was only 41 seconds old when Andros Townsend left his mark on Hazard and when, five minutes later, Eric Dier squared up to Costa, a pattern was set. On this occasion, however, it was the Chelsea man whose behaviour merited, if not official censure, then certainly a quiet word. Dier's tackle on him was firm but fair, and there was no need for the shoulder contact Costa sought on rising. His behaviour can be a problem for Chelsea.
It is possible to have sympathy for the club over some of the errors that have cost them this season – particularly penalties rejected in vital matches – yet Costa's behaviour provides ammunition for the cynical, those who believe Chelsea deploy the dark arts and deserve any reversal that goes their way. He was certainly fortunate in the 28th minute, when he planted a hand in the face of Nabil Bentaleb. The Tottenham man stopped, probably considered making more of it, but decided against that.
By now, others were involved. Costa could easily have been booked but referee Anthony Taylor instead settled for keeping the peace. It was no surprise then that three minutes later Dier was booked for a foul on Costa – although it looked more ferocious than malicious. Chelsea can bring out the worst in folk. 
Christian Eriksen came within inches of giving Tottenham the lead when he curled a free kick against the Chelsea bar in the first half
Christian Eriksen came within inches of giving Tottenham the lead when he curled a free kick against the Chelsea bar in the first half
Willian tries his luck from a set piece but the Chelsea midfielder but the Brazilian was out of luck as both sides pushed or the opener
Willian tries his luck from a set piece but the Chelsea midfielder but the Brazilian was out of luck as both sides pushed or the opener
In-form Tottenham striker  Kane is closely watched by Chelsea players Ramires (right) and Kurt Zouma
In-form Tottenham striker Kane is closely watched by Chelsea players Ramires (right) and Kurt Zouma
Diego Costa was a thorn in the Tottenham defence's side all afternoon and Dier took matters into his own hands with this challenge
Diego Costa was a thorn in the Tottenham defence's side all afternoon and Dier took matters into his own hands with this challenge
Dier is left stunned after referee Anthony Taylor produced a yellow card for his challenge on Chelsea striker Costa
Dier is left stunned after referee Anthony Taylor produced a yellow card for his challenge on Chelsea striker Costa
Jose Mourinho was his usual animated self on the touchline
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino dejected on the touchline
Jose Mourinho won the first trophy of his second spell at Chelsea but Mauricio Pochettino could barely watch through his fingers
Tottenham got an early scare when a cross from Branislav Ivanovic was tipped over by Lloris in the seventh minute with Terry lurking at the back post, but it was Chelsea's captain who broke the deadlock in the final minute of the first-half. It was a scrappy goal, but no less impressive for that because desire and determination are fine qualities too. 
Terry was once rendered unconscious by a boot in a League Cup final, and tried to persuade the ambulance driver to turn around on the way to the hospital to let him finish the game. This was a considerably more mundane event, but it curbed Tottenham's swagger and set up Chelsea's victory.
Willian's free-kick from the right clipped Danny Rose and ricocheted off Zouma and Dier before falling to Terry, who struck it through a crowd of players. Lloris saved an overhead kick from Fabregas from the first attack of the second-half, but from the next, Chelsea scored and slipped into cruise mode. Costa gambled like a true matchwinner with his run, and when the ball arrived after lovely build-up work from Willian and Fabregas, he made Walker commit and stick out a fateful foot out. Chelsea were 2-0 up after 56 minutes. In this mood, the game was over.
It might have been very different had Eriksen not hit the bar with a free-kick from 25 yards, but Chelsea's defensive unit was as good as at any time this season. Coupled with the result at Anfield, it will have been the happiest Mr Moody has been in some time. Mourinho has the first trophy of his second coming. It will surely not be his last.
Terry helps his team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta after he suffered a nasty head injury in the second half of Chelsea's win
Terry helps his team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta after he suffered a nasty head injury in the second half of Chelsea's win
Blood streams from the Chelsea defender's head as Terry helps him out with support from Tottenham striker Harry Kane
Blood streams from the Chelsea defender's head as Terry helps him out with support from Tottenham striker Harry Kane
Azpilicueta was able to return to action but was sporting a head bandage after suffeing a knock to the head
Azpilicueta was able to return to action but was sporting a head bandage after suffeing a knock to the head
Nacer Chadli checks on Eden Hazard as the Chelsea playmaker lies on the Wembley turf following a hard challenge
Nacer Chadli checks on Eden Hazard as the Chelsea playmaker lies on the Wembley turf following a hard challenge
Diego Costa and Kyle Walker argue during the first half
Costa and Walker argue during the first half
Costa and Kyle Walker argue as the Chelsea striker continued to rile the Tottenham defenders with his all-action style
Walker gets to grips with Hazard as the Belgian midfielder continued to excel, causing problems for the Tottenham defence
Walker gets to grips with Hazard as the Belgian midfielder continued to excel, causing problems for the Tottenham defence
Drogba came on in the dying seconds but had no time to continue his excellent record of scoring in cup finals
Drogba came on in the dying seconds but had no time to continue his excellent record of scoring in cup finals
Mourinho squirted water from his bottle on an unsuspecting cameraman as he enjoyed Chelsea's win at Wembley
Mourinho squirted water from his bottle on an unsuspecting cameraman as he enjoyed Chelsea's win at Wembley


Via -
 Dailymail.

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