Thomas Tuchel relieved after "intense" EFL Cup win for Chelsea

Head coach Thomas Tuchel was delighted that Chelsea were able to overcome a number of injury issues to defeat Southampton in the EFL Cup fourth round.

Despite the absence of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Blues were still able to progress into the last eight courtesy of a penalty shootout.

Although the competition remains at the bottom of Chelsea's list of priorities, Tuchel was relieved to earn a place in the quarter-finals.

The German is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: " It was an intense match of football. It was an open fight, an intense match. We did a good shootout, a lot of quality. Kepa [Arrizabalaga] saved one, it was a miss too.

"We are happy that we made it because it was a completely new team. There were a lot of changes."

Che Adams had cancelled out Kai Havertz's opener during normal time, but misses from Theo Walcott and Will Smallbone ensured that Chelsea won 4-3 in a penalty shootout.