LONDON: Chelsea will be disappointed to have defeated a poor Tottenham only 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in their League Cup semi-final first leg.

The other semi-final opener, between Liverpool and Arsenal, has been postponed until next week because of Covid issues affecting the Reds.

Kai Havertz netted his fifth goal of the campaign in the opening minutes before Ben Davies put through his own net as Chelsea prevailed in the semi-final first leg in west London.

The Blues will now hope to complete the job in north London next Wednesday, to reach their first League Cup final since 2019.

Chelsea were left to rue a string of missed chances despite dominating Spurs however, and will hope that profligacy will not backfire in the second leg.

The Blues drew first blood in a trio of January clashes between the fierce London rivals, with an absentee-induced 4-3-3 formation paying big dividend for boss Thomas Tuchel.

Havertz cut a battered and bruised figure on his half-time withdrawal due to a head knock and a suspected broken finger, with the Blues hoping the forward will not be sidelined for long.

Positive Covid-19 tests for Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante were of more concern on the night, but Chelsea adjusted well for a fully merited victory.

Romelu Lukaku was back in action after his internal disciplinary omission from the 2-2 draw with Liverpool, but could not bag a goal to kick-start his redemption drive.

The Belgium striker had fallen foul of Tuchel and Chelsea for a recent interview revealing unhappiness at Stamford Bridge.

After missing Sunday’s Premier League encounter, apologising and paying a fine the 28-year-old club-record recruit was back in action and determined to prove his commitment.

Such was Chelsea’s superiority and Tottenham’s malaise however that the Blues could comfortably cope with a quiet night from their £98million talisman.

Lukaku should have made it three before the break, but the striker could only nod wide from Hakim Ziyech’s teasing cross.

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