Half-time: Chelsea 1 Everton 0 – Rudiger puts Blues ahead
Antonio Rudiger’s first Chelsea goal earned the Blues a half-time lead in their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Everton at Stamford Bridge.
The big German defender scored with a looping header at the far post from a fine deep cross by 20-year-old attacker Charly Musonda following a short corner.
Musonda impressed in the third-round win over Nottingham Forest and kept his place in a starting line-up that saw nine changes from the side that beat Watford 4-2 on Saturday.
Ethan Ampadu, 17, made his full debut alongside another debutant Danny Drinkwater, and both had a steady first 45 minutes in game that Chelsea controlled without creating many chances.
Michy Batshuayi had a shot blocked and Willian fired an effort into the side netting after a swift break.
Interim Everton boss David Unsworth fielded a strong side that included Wayne Rooney, but the visitors barely threatened and did not manage an effort on target.
Chelsea (3-4-3:) Caballero; Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Ampadu, Kenedy; Willian, Musonda, Batshuayi.
Subs: Fabregas, Morata, Pedro, Clarke-Salter, Scott, Eduardo, Sterling.
