EFL Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 58,964

EFL Cup | Semi-Finals

Jan 24, 2018 at 8pm UK

Arsenal
2-1
Chelsea

Rudiger (12' og.), Xhaka (60')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Hazard (7')

Antonio Conte: 'Chelsea unlucky against Arsenal'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 24 January 2018

Antonio Conte insists that Chelsea "were unlucky" to lose to Arsenal in their EFL Cup semi-final second leg as the opposition goals were "two deflections".

Antonio Conte has claimed that Chelsea "were unlucky" to lose to Arsenal in their EFL Cup semi-final second leg as the opposition goals came about from "two deflections".

The Blues led after just seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium thanks to Eden Hazard's clinical finish past David Ospina from 12 yards out.

However, the hosts equalised five minutes later when Nacho Monreal's header bounced off Marcos Alonso and Antonio Rudiger before going into the net.

Arsenal sealed their 2-1 victory on the hour mark as Alexandre Lacazette's pull-back came off Rudiger and fell to Granit Xhaka, who pounced from close range.

"My thoughts are there is disappointment for the final result," Conte told Sky Sports News at full time.

"I think my players must be pleased with their effort, we tried to reach the final, we conceded two goals and we were unlucky, two deflections.

"It is a pity because we had a good run in this competition, it is a pity for me, the players and fans. We started very well, played a good first half and in the second half I saw a lot of balance."

The result was Chelsea's first loss in 13 matches, since a 1-0 defeat by West Ham United on December 9 in the Premier League.