Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their bid to get back up to speed with the top four after rivals Liverpool were sent packing from the Carabao Cup. The Reds were holders of the competition after beating Chelsea on penalties in the final earlier this year but won't be defending their crown.
An electric 3-2 win for Manchester City was played out on Thursday night in the two sides' first game back since the World Cup. The Premier League is next up on the agenda though with Boxing Day fixtures acting as the post-World Cup treat fans have been waiting for.
Chelsea don't play until December 27 and will be able to watch their top-four rivals set the standards first before issuing their own response under Graham Potter.
