Chelsea hold off brave Rovers

Michy Batshuayi scored twice but Chelsea had to survive a tense second half to reach third round of the EFL Cup with a 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers at Stamford Bridge.

A strong Blues line-up numbering five first-team regulars including Pedro and Nemanja Matic laboured against their League One opponents despite twice claiming two-goal leads as Batshuayi – on his first start – scored either side of Victor Moses’ goal.

Peter Hartley and Ellis Harrison, who fired the only goal of the second half, gave Rovers hope of a famous upset against the Premier League giants and on more than one occasion they threatened an equaliser.

But Eden Hazard and Oscar came on to reinforce Antonio Conte’s side and the visitors eventually ran out of steam having given everything in pursuit of a prized scalp.

Batshuayi celebrated his full debut after impressive cameos against West Ham and Watford with a brace, although the £33m summer signing from Marseille was also wasteful.

Antonio Conte opted against promoting Diego Costa from a heavyweight bench and the …

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