Chelsea weren’t exactly troubled by Arsenal from a defensive point of view, but certainly lacked substance in the final third, even after Cole Palmer and Estevao were introduced on the hour mark. Kai Havertz snatched a late goal for the Gunners to seal their spot in next month’s final, while simultaneously sending Chelsea home with their tails between their legs.
It was somewhat of a sheepish performance from Liam Rosenior’s side, but eyebrows were raised at full-time when Fofana was seen in tears while heading over to the travelling supporters. The reason behind his emotional outburst is unknown, but it didn’t go down with Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, who berrated to defender.
He said: “He’s crying? He should be crying cause they’ve not had a go. I’m lost for words. They’ve gone out with an absolute whimper in the semi-final of a big competition. Don’t go out like that, I’m lost for words.”
On Chelsea’s overall showing at the Emirates, he added: “This is not like a League One or League Two team coming to the Emirates. They’ve got the players to mix it with Arsenal and they didn’t have a go. If they’d lost 3-0 and had shots after shot and Kepa was brilliant in goal, then you go, that’s the way it is. You see Fofana crying, he’s probably crying because in that dressing room they’ll think ‘we didn’t give it a go.'”
Jamie Redknapp was equally disappointed by Chelsea’s showing, with the ex-Tottenham and Liverpool ace saying: “I totally get what his plan was but sometimes you’ve got to take emotion into a game and take punches and take chances. Two shots on target in a semi-final is not good enough.”
It’s a blow for Chelsea, who had appeared to be tracking in the right direction ever since Rosenior took charge earlier this year. They’ll have to dust themselves down ahead of the weekend, given it’s a somewhat resurgent Wolves on Saturday, before Leeds United make the trip to Stamford Bridge next week.