Chelsea beat Tottenham on penalties to advance to Carabao Cup final

Chelsea produced the perfect response to manager Maurizio Sarri's weekend criticism to beat London rivals Tottenham on penalties and set up a League Cup final against holders Manchester City.

Trailing 1-0 from the semifinal first leg, Chelsea turned the tie on its head with goals by N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard in the first half but Fernando Llorente struck for Tottenham at the start of the second half.

Chelsea had 20 goal attempts to Tottenham's five, but the visitors held firm to set up a penalty shootout.

Christian Eriksen scored Tottenham's first spot kick but teammate Eric Dier, hero of England's World Cup shootout win over Colombia, fired over and then Lucas Moura's kick was well-saved by Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea's penalties were more clinical and David Luiz slotted past Paulo Gazzaniga to seal victory and send Chelsea into their 15th cup final in 17 years in all competitions.

Tottenham, who were without Harry Kane, scorer of a penalty in the first leg, and Dele Alli, both because of injury, along with Son Heung-min who is on international duty, battled hard but their wait for silverware goes on.

Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

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After the weekend's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday, Sarri accused his players of being difficult to motivate and demanded more from Belgian forward Hazard.

But a visit from rivals Tottenham, with a Wembley final at stake, provided the incentive for a far sharper display.

"I think that they reacted well tonight," said Sarri, who has never won a trophy during his long managerial career.

"But I didn't attack my players. I just said we had a problem. The reaction was very good but we need to have motivation with continuity now."

Tottenham, who are four points above Chelsea in the Premier League, looked comfortable early on but fell behind in the 27th minute when Kante's shot from the edge of the area went through the legs of two Spurs players and squirmed past Gazzaniga -- in goal instead of Hugo Lloris.

Chelsea went ahead in the tie in 38th minute when a fluid passing move ended with Cesar Azpilicueta's low cross being side-footed home by a stretching Hazard.

Tottenham, who last won silverware when beating Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final, responded after the break and Kane's replacement Llorente bundled in a header from Danny Rose's cross to put them back on level terms overall in the 50th minute.

Llorente also wasted a great chance from Eriksen's raking pass, but it was Chelsea who looked the more likely side to avoid the need for penalties.

Hazard twice went close and Tottenham needed some last-ditch tackles to keep Chelsea out.

It was all in vain in the end for Mauricio Pochettino's side, though, as they faltered with a domestic final in sight.

"We are disappointed but it's a massive success to get to the semifinal with all the circumstances," he said. "We're so disappointed to lose in that way, but it can happen. The players were brave and with all the circumstances I can only feel proud. It will make us stronger."

Chelsea will face Manchester City, who beat Burton Albion 10-0 on aggregate in the other semifinal, in the championship match at Wembley on Feb. 24.