Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri hopes victory on penalties over Tottenham to reach the League Cup final can prove a turning point in his first season in charge.
Sarri had questioned the mental strength of his squad and demanded star forward Eden Hazard delivered more on his abundant potential in the wake of a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, and the Italian got the response he desired against an injury-ravaged Spurs.
First-half goals from N'Golo Kante and Hazard handed Chelsea a 2-1 win on the night to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit and the hosts prevailed 4-2 in the shootout at Stamford Bridge to set up a final meeting with holders Manchester City on February 24th.
"I think that in the last three or four matches we had a problem. One problem was the motivation and the other problem was the players stopped having fun on the pitch. Now with the performance and the result we can find enthusiasm again," said Sarri.
Chelsea's new number nine Gonzalo Higuain was presented to the home fans before kick-off, but the Argentine's loan move from Juventus was not completed in time for him to feature.
Sarri has been criticised for persisting with Hazard in a centre-forward position of late and the decision to move the Belgian back to his prefered role on the left of a front three with Olivier Giroud handed a rare start as the focal point of the attack paid dividends.
However, Sarri again preferred to focus on Chelsea's mentality rather than his change of tactics.
"He played a fantastic, wonderful match," added Sarri on Hazard's performance.
"I think in this match we played with another mind, another motivation, another determination. I think his qualities are more important than the position."
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