Kai Havertz netted a dramatic late winner as we reached the Carabao Cup final with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea.

Goals from Viktor Gyokeres, Ben White and Martin Zubimendi gave us the lead going into the second leg clash, which saw precious few chances at Emirates Stadium.

But as the visitors looked for a late goal, we broke away and it was former Chelsea man Havertz who rounded Robert Sanchez to give us a 1-0 win and send us to Wembley for a first Carabao Cup final in eight years.

Cagey half

We came into the game looking to reach a first Carabao Cup final since 2018, when we ousted the Blues in the final four, but chances were few and far between in the opening 15 minutes.

The Blues, meanwhile, have progressed from three of their last four EFL Cup semi-final ties when losing the first leg, and looking to repeat the trick in N5. Liam Delap’s scuffed shot was the first attempt of note on a rain-soaked Emirates turf. 

A string of corners got our supporters on their feet and nearly led to the opening goal. Eberechi Eze found Piero Hincapie in space on the edge of the box and the Ecuadorian unleashed a rasping left-footed drive which was beaten away dramatically by Robert Sanchez and into the path of Gabriel, but the Brazilian’s touch was too heavy and the ball rolled out of play.

We had tested the Chelsea backline with a couple of long balls and it almost led to the opening goal. Gabriel Martinelli was the recipient of the latest ranging pass, getting clear of Malo Gusto. But having taken down the ball inside the box and turned to shoot, the French defender had recovered the situation to save a goalbound effort.

The Blues were growing in confidence as the half went on. Moises Caicedo did well to win the ball as Marc Cucurella fed Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine then attempted to curl the ball into the top corner but found Kepa in his way.

No way through

We saw just two efforts on target in the opening half, and it took under two minutes for the first big chance of the second phase. After a melee inside the six yard following following an inswinging corner, Delap managed to poke just wide.

Noni Madueke was looking to make a mark against the side he played for since 2023. The England international was able to beat both Cucurella and Jorrel Hato but his crosses did not trouble the Chelsea rearguard. 

Chelsea then threw on Cole Palmer and Estevao in search of a leveller in the tie. Cucurella was the next to have a go as a corner was cleared into his path. The Spaniard’s effort was curled just wide as a tense final 25 minutes awaited.

The visitors continued to put more attackers on with Alejandro Garnacho emerging as we sent on Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz. A well-worked ball from Declan Rice found Martin Zubimendi who stood it up to the backpost perfectly for Gabriel, but Cucurella was in the way.

Kai with the dagger

As the rain continued to pour, the visitors surged forward. Palmer’s free-kick was well blocked by the wall and Wesley Fofana nudged wide from the resulting corner as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes.

We managed to find spaces in the Chelsea defence. Eberechi Eze slipped through Martinelli, who went down under the challenge of Trevoh Chalobah but referee Peter Bankes waved away claims.

As the fourth official’s board went up to show six minutes of added on time, Fernandez had another go from range that sailed over the bar.

Chelsea continued to flood forward, the clock ticked over the minimum of six minutes, but we managed to nick the ball and Trossard fed Rice, who squared to Havertz and the German was able to round Sanchez and give us a 1-0 win on the night and send us to Wembley.

What’s next

Following our Carabao Cup semi-final, we’re back in Premier League action in N5, taking on Sunderland on Saturday, February 7, at 3pm (UK time). On Thursday, February 12, we then head to west London to take on Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium at 8pm (UK time).

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