Chelsea see off Reading

Hasselbaink linked up well with Crespo

Reading 0-1 Chelsea

Chelsea held off a determined challenge from First Division Reading to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Blues striker Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink's goal proved the difference between the two sides.

Chelsea could have had more but were guilty of missing a host of chances, while Marcus Hahnemann denied Claudio Ranieri's star-studded side with a string of superb saves.

Chelsea made six changes from the side that saw off Premiership champions Manchester United at the weekend, but it was anything but a reserve outfit with the starting line-up costing £120m.

Carling Cup quarter final draw Aston Villa v Chelsea Tottenham v Middlesbrough Bolton v Southampton West Bromich Albion v Arsenal Games played weekend 15 Dec

Marcel Desailly led out the side, while Jesper Gronkjaer and Hasselbaink were back in the starting line-up.

Inside four minutes Hasselbaink squandered a shooting opportunity before Jesper Gronkjaer forced Hahnemann into the first of a series of fine saves.

Nicky Forster blazed a shot over the crossbar but the visitors' superiority soon began to tell, Frank Lampard and Desailly both going close and Hernan Crespo denied by Hahnemann.

Desailly had the goal at his mercy but managed to head over the bar and Joe Cole was also guilty of wasting a fine chance.

In the 18th minute, Reading's Bas Savage met Nicky Shorey's cross only for the midfielder to nod inches off target as Chelsea's defence was caught napping for once.

KEY MOMENTS 22 mins: Crespo's shot is tipped around the post by Hahnemann 57 mins: Hasselbaink finally breaks the deadlock for Chelsea

A side-footed shot from Crespo was then heading for the top corner before Hahnemann came to Reading's rescue once again.

When Chelsea did beat the Royals keeper, Crespo's effort came back off the post as the home side somehow survived.

The second half followed much the same pattern, Crespo splitting the Reading defence with a pinpoint pass but Hasselbaink dithering and allowing the defence time to reorganise and scramble to safety.

Steve Coppell's side continued to hamper their top flight opponents and Hasselbaink's booking for dissent was a clear sign of Chelsea's growing frustration.

But the Dutchman took his revenge in the 57th minute when Chelsea finally broke the deadlock.

Lampard found Crespo with a fine long ball and the Argentine squared for Hasselbaink, who made no mistake.

Reading substitute Scott Murray forced Sullivan into an athletic save as the home side refused to throw in the towel.

The home side always had a chance with just one goal between the sides, but Ranieri's team looked the more likely to add to the scoring.

Both Crespo and Adrian Mutu were denied by the impressive Hahnemann in the dying stages.

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Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Mackie, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Savage, Sidwell, Watson, Salako, Hughes, Forster. Subs: Young, Murray, Tyson, Newman, Harper.

Chelsea: Sullivan, Johnson, Desailly, Terry, Babayaro, Lampard, Cole, Geremi, Gronkjaer, Hasselbaink, Crespo. Subs: Ambrosio, Makelele, Mutu, Gallas, Stanic.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)