Antonio Conte was left with a bitter-sweet feeling after seeing Alvaro Morata score a stoppage-time winner against Bournemouth then receive his fifth booking of the season for his celebration.
It means the club’s top goalscorer will miss Chelsea’s trip to Goodison Park for their Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday, with Conte describing the loss as huge.
Morata was Chelsea’s hero last night after coming on as a substitute and they will now face Arsenal in the semi finals of the Carabao Cup.
Alvaro Morata was shown a yellow card by referee Lee Mason after scoring Chelsea’s winner
Morata withheld the ball from Bournemouth players eager to get the game started again
‘The most important thing is we are in the semi-finals,’ said Conte, looking on the bright side. ‘Last season, if you remember, we were eliminated in the second round against West Ham.
‘This season we must be happy with this achievement, to reach a semi final in one of the two cups in England. It is great for us, especially because we reached the semi final with a lot of rotation.
‘I’m very happy because I’ve had a good response from my players. I hope to continue in this way.’
On losing Morata for Everton, Conte continued: ‘He is a big loss for us, especially because we have to play a tough game against Everton. It is a pity. But we have to accept it.’
The striker was sent clean through by Eden Hazard and poked the ball beyond Artur Boruc
Chelsea took the lead through Willian in the first half before Bournemouth thought they had earned extra time with Dan Gosling’s equaliser in the 90th minute.
Yet there was late drama as just 75 seconds later, substitute Morata restored Chelsea’s lead.
Eddie Howe described it as ‘heartbreaking’ to see their stoppage-time leveller go to waste and also had further bad news on the injury front.
Jermain Defoe was forced off after a nasty challenge by Chelsea’s 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu less than two minutes into the match and Howe believes he has suffered ankle ligament damage. Harry Arter was also taken off with a calf injury.
‘The players gave everything to get back into that game,’ Howe said. ‘Second half we penned them in with waves of attacks and scored a great goal.
‘It was bitterly disappointing what happened in those last few moments. It is too painful to watch the goal again.’ On Defoe, he continued: ‘Potentially some damage to his ankle ligaments.’
The biggest news of the night in the Carabao Cup was Bristol City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United. Asked about that, Conte said: ‘It’s a big achievement. Manchester United won this competition last season.
‘It is a surprise but, in England, it is very difficult to face every team.’
