Chelsea cruise past Blackburn in Carabao Cup

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Raheem Sterling doubles Chelsea's lead over Blackburn

Raheem Sterling's strike on the hour mark gives Chelsea a two-goal advantage against Blackburn.

Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 09:52 pm

Benoit Badiashile scored on his return from injury to help Chelsea cruise into the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Making his first appearance since a hamstring injury in May, Badiashile put Chelsea ahead in the 30th minute against their opponents from the EFL Championship.

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Blackburn goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt should have done a lot better than to parry a cross right into the heart of the penalty area where Chelsea's French defender was on hand to apply a simple finish.

Blackburn, 12th in the Championship standings, were architects of the own downfall once more as Chelsea went two goals up in the 59th minute. This time it was a poor pass out of defence that Chelsea seized upon, with the ball falling for Sterling to curl a delightful strike into the top corner.

For Chelsea and manager Mauricio Pochettino the win was a welcome respite after a poor start to the season that sees them languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table after a 2-0 home loss to Brentford on Saturday.