We take a 1-0 lead to the Bridge for the second leg. If the tie is level after 90 minutes, it will go straight to penalties and away goals do not count. No Kane, Deli, Son or Wanyama, but Lucas and Sissoko could feature. A couple of things in our favour, we go through with a draw or a clean sheet and Chelsea didn't get the Gonzalo Higuain signing through on time for him to be eligible for the match. Considering our absences, they have to be the favourites (how come none of their starting XI ever get injured?).
we've been shite, though it could be worse right now. at least we're still in it. dier's been dreadful. how we could've come into this match, with a one-goal lead and attacking prospects so diminished and find him all over the pitch and out of position so much is bewildering. they're getting way too much joy up the left (our right), but I don't know what Sissoko and Aurier are going to do about it. Llorente … I don't know what to say. Starting him without wingback was never gonna optimize his use, but he doesn't exactly help himself by passing it to the opposition at every opportunity. At least Rose coming on for the injured Davies might mean a bit more wide play in from the left. we'll see.
I turned it off, because I had other things to attend to, after Chelsea went up 2:0 and we had looked non-competitive the entire time. I figured we'd suffer a 4:0 beat down. No reason to watch. I finished my stuff. Checked the score... 2:1, 2:2 aggregate... and now down to catch pens... egad.
folks will pat 'em on the back for coming out and playing in the second half, but the first half was what determined the tie. shocking stuff. I'm sick.