Willy Caballero Hails Benched Kepa After Spurs Win

Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero has paid tribute to Kepa Arrizabalaga after the Blues’ crucial win over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Chelsea defeated Spurs 2-0 with second half goals from Pedro Rodriguez and Kieran Trippier (own goal) as Caballero earned a relatively easy clean sheet on his first league appearance of the season.

Spanish international Kepa Arrizabalaga was dropped from the Chelsea starting XI after his Carabao Cup theatrics at the weekend with Willy Caballero replacing him in the starting lineup.

Kepa had an altercation with manager Maurizio Sarri as he refused to come off in their Carabao Cup final clash with Premier League champions Manchester City.

• Hayes takes a sly shot at Thibaut Courtois

When asked about Kepa in his post-match thoughts, Willy Caballero hailed the dropped goalkeeper before adding that the Spaniard has learnt his lessons from the Carabao Cup fiasco.

Chelsea were able to relieve the pressure on manager Maurizio Sarri with the win over Tottenham.

The Blues had lost their last three games away from home in the Premier League conceding 12 goals in the process.

The run included the 6-0 thrashing handed to them by Chelsea and that result aggravated the pressure on the Italian manager.

Chelsea closed the gap to three points with the win over Spurs.