MX23RW : Monday, December 24 13:10:54

Gianfranco Zola looking for revenge on Tottenham

Gianfranco Zola looking for revenge on Tottenham
© Reuters
Tottenham beat Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley last month.

Chelsea are determined to impress at Tottenham in next month's Carabao Cup semi-final, assistant boss Gianfranco Zola says.

Eden Hazard came off the substitutes' bench to score six minutes from time in Wednesday night's 1-0 quarter-final win over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, setting up the two-legged tie with Spurs. Holders Manchester City play League One Burton in the second semi-final.

Tottenham beat Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley last month, inflicting the first competitive defeat of Maurizio Sarri's reign after an 18-match unbeaten start.

"Everyone is very excited to be facing them again," Zola said.

"We are happy because, some time ago, they gave us a good footballing lesson. We're looking forward to challenging them again.

"There are a lot of proud players in our team. Of course they will want to play this game and show we were not the ones playing in that game. Too many players under-played.

"Some of them were hurt. They will be looking forward to it."

The behaviour of a minority of Blues' fans has come under scrutiny following alleged anti-Semitic chanting which the club wishes to eradicate.

UEFA is investigating after the alleged use of a chant by Chelsea supporters featuring discriminatory language, anti-Semitic in nature, aimed at Tottenham fans.

Zola added: "I have no doubts that they will respond to it in a proper way. We have fantastic supporters and I'm sure they'll be supporting respectfully and in the Chelsea way."

Eden Hazard came off the substitutes' bench to score the winner against Bournemouth
Eden Hazard came off the substitutes' bench to score the winner against Bournemouth (Adam Davy/PA)

Hazard was not risked from the start due to a foot injury, but came on and scored the decisive goal, his 10th of the season.

"The difference was the changes we made. When Pedro and Eden came on, they gave us an extra gear," Zola added.

"Eden is the type of player who can make a big difference when he comes on, even for 20 minutes."

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe expected Hazard to make an impact after chatting to the Chelsea forward on the touchline prior to his introduction.

"He seems to have this habit of scoring against us," said Howe, after Hazard's seventh goal against the Cherries.

Bournemouth's Callum Wilson has been linked with Chelsea
Bournemouth's Callum Wilson has been linked with Chelsea (John Walton/PA)

Chelsea appeared to make their interest in striker Callum Wilson public on Tuesday, prior to the tie.

Howe insisted he was unaware of complimentary comments about Wilson made by Zola on Tuesday.

The Cherries boss added: "Callum's our player and very, very focused on us. I think you could see that with his performance."

When asked whether there was any scenario which could see Bournemouth sell the England striker in January, Howe added: "Not from my perspective, no."


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Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola during the game against Newcastle United on March 18, 2017
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Zola expects Chelsea to be at best for Carabao Cup showdown with Spurs
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1815303973248
2Manchester CityMan City18142250133744
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs18140437181942
4Chelsea18114335152037
5Arsenal18114340241637
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd188553430429
7Watford188372525027
8Bournemouth188282728-126
9Leicester CityLeicester187472221125
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves187471921-225
11Everton186662628-224
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham187382527-224
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186392026-621
14Crystal Palace1853101725-818
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle184591422-817
16Southampton183691933-1415
17Cardiff CityCardiff1842121838-2014
18Burnley1833121636-2012
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1824121131-2010
20Fulham1824121642-2610

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