Fabregas hits the right notes
Helps Chelsea down Leicester
Cesc Fabregas made an emphatic point to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte as his double sealed a 4-2 win at Leicester, while Everton and Bournemouth suffered shock third-round exits from the English Football League Cup on Tuesday.
Fabregas has been limited to three substitute appearances in the Premier League since Conte took charge over the summer, but the Spain midfielder proved he can still be a game-changer with an influential display capped by the decisive two goals in extra-time.
"I was happy to play from the start! Hopefully this will shut up a few journalists talking rubbish all the time," said Fabregas, who has been linked with a move away from Chelsea.
Elsewhere, second-tier Norwich spoiled Everton''s impressive start to the season and inflicted Ronald Koeman''s first defeat as Toffees boss with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
Bournemouth was the other top-flight casualties as second-tier Preston won 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Denmark striker Simon Makienok.
At the King Power Stadium, Shinji Okazaki put Premier League champions Leicester ahead in the 17th minute when the Japan striker punished terrible Chelsea defending to head home from close range.
Okazaki followed his first goal since March with a second in the 34th minute.
Gary Cahill reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime, the defender heading home after being left unmarked at the far post from a Fabregas corner.
The Blues equalised four minutes after the interval through Cesar Azpilicueta''s blistering long-range effort.
Leicester had to play extra-time with 10 men after Marcin Wasilewski''s 89th minute dismissal for elbowing Diego Costa and Fabregas made them pay, finishing a flowing move in the 92nd minute and drilling home again two minutes later.
Lucas Perez''s first goals for Arsenal inspired a 4-0 rout of second-tier Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Liverpool, last year''s beaten finalists, remain on course for a return to Wembley after a 3-0 win against Championship side Derby at the iPro Stadium.
Estonia centre-back Ragnar Klavan took advantage of poor Derby defending to fire home in the 24th minute.
Philippe Coutinho doubled Liverpool''s lead in the 50th minute and Divock Origi put the result beyond doubt four minutes later.
Newcastle defeated Championship rivals Wolves 2-0, Leeds beat fellow second-tier side Blackburn 1-0, while Reading won 2-1 in another all-Championship clash at Brighton.
NAMPA/AFP
Fabregas has been limited to three substitute appearances in the Premier League since Conte took charge over the summer, but the Spain midfielder proved he can still be a game-changer with an influential display capped by the decisive two goals in extra-time.
"I was happy to play from the start! Hopefully this will shut up a few journalists talking rubbish all the time," said Fabregas, who has been linked with a move away from Chelsea.
Elsewhere, second-tier Norwich spoiled Everton''s impressive start to the season and inflicted Ronald Koeman''s first defeat as Toffees boss with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
Bournemouth was the other top-flight casualties as second-tier Preston won 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Denmark striker Simon Makienok.
At the King Power Stadium, Shinji Okazaki put Premier League champions Leicester ahead in the 17th minute when the Japan striker punished terrible Chelsea defending to head home from close range.
Okazaki followed his first goal since March with a second in the 34th minute.
Gary Cahill reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime, the defender heading home after being left unmarked at the far post from a Fabregas corner.
The Blues equalised four minutes after the interval through Cesar Azpilicueta''s blistering long-range effort.
Leicester had to play extra-time with 10 men after Marcin Wasilewski''s 89th minute dismissal for elbowing Diego Costa and Fabregas made them pay, finishing a flowing move in the 92nd minute and drilling home again two minutes later.
Lucas Perez''s first goals for Arsenal inspired a 4-0 rout of second-tier Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Liverpool, last year''s beaten finalists, remain on course for a return to Wembley after a 3-0 win against Championship side Derby at the iPro Stadium.
Estonia centre-back Ragnar Klavan took advantage of poor Derby defending to fire home in the 24th minute.
Philippe Coutinho doubled Liverpool''s lead in the 50th minute and Divock Origi put the result beyond doubt four minutes later.
Newcastle defeated Championship rivals Wolves 2-0, Leeds beat fellow second-tier side Blackburn 1-0, while Reading won 2-1 in another all-Championship clash at Brighton.
NAMPA/AFP
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article