11 things we learned as Chelsea beat Tottenham to win the Capital One Cup

01 March 2015 18:32

It promised a lot but in the end Chelsea shut Tottenham down to claim a 2-0 win in the Capital One Cup final.

Here’s what we learned along the way.

1. Tottenham owned the arch

The Wembley arch lit up in Tottenham colours
(Paul Harding/EMPICS)

It was a long-running contest on Twitter, to see whose fans could tweet the most to get the Wembley arch lit up their club’s colours. Tottenham won it – but that was as good as it got.

2. Racism is probably bad

3. A final’s not a final without a floating acrobat lady

An acrobat hands the League Cup trophy to a member of the armed forces
Because how else was the trophy going to arrive? (John Walton/PA)

4. There’s always a silver lining

Christian Eriksen of Tottenham hits the bar with a free-kick
(Andrew Matthews/EMPICS)

Yes, Christian Eriksen, your free-kick hit the bar when it would have given Tottenham an early lead if it had been a couple of inches lower… but look at it this way.

5. Jose Mourinho’s tactics don’t always work perfectly…

To most people’s surprise, Mourinho chose to play Kurt Zouma in midfield.

Zouma may well have been supposed to disrupt Tottenham’s midfield, but for most of the first half it wasn’t working. Spurs dominated the centre of the pitch and Zouma looked uncomfortable in the unfamiliar position.

6. …but it doesn’t matter

Chelsea presented almost no attacking threat in the first half but went in one goal up thanks to John Terry’s strike moments before the break.

John Terry of Chelsea scores against Tottenham
(John Walton/PA)

Nobody expected Mourinho’s side to give up the lead after that.

But Tottenham have done more than their fair share of winning from losing positions this season, as Mourinho no doubt told his players at half-time.

7. Class is permanent

That Cesc Fabregas-Diego Costa partnership which has gone conspicuously quiet of late linked up to get Chelsea’s second – well, sort of. Costa’s off-target shot in the 56th minute got a big deflection off Kyle Walker.

Diego Costa celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Tottenham
(Mike Egerton/EMPICS)

Suddenly that Spurs comeback was looking very unlikely…

8. Even Harry Kane has off days

Harry Kane playing for Tottenham against Chelsea
At least he can make cool shapes out of water with his mouth (Mike Egerton/EMPICS)

He’s been so reliable for so much of Tottenham’s season, but he was struggling to make an impact at Wembley.

9. Tottenham need more options

Chasing the game, Spurs boss Mauicio Pachettino sent his best remaining attacking options into the fray – Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela.

10. Chelsea win when it matters

Chelsea celebrate winning the League Cup
(John Walton/PA)

11. Nobody will ever forget *that* John Terry moment

And now nobody’s going to forget this Nemanja Matic moment.

Source: SNAPPA