A penalty from Eden Hazard has given Chelsea a 1-0 lead after the first half of their League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.

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Steven Gerrard almost opened the scoring for the Reds when his powerful effort from range was tipped over the bar by Thibaut Courtois.

However, just moments later Chelsea were awarded a penalty following Emre Can's clumsy foul inside the box on Hazard.

It was Hazard who stepped up to take the spot kick and he made no mistake with a calm finish into the bottom corner.

Liverpool struggled to come up with a response and despite plenty of possession they could not find a way past Chelsea's well-organised defence by the end of the first half.