Former Leeds United striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink praised Chelsea winger Estevao's performance in the 3-2 home loss to Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday (January 14).
In an enthralling London derby, the Gunners burst into a two-goal lead, with Ben White breaking the deadlock inside seven minutes before Viktor Gyokeres doubled the visitors' advantage four minutes into the second period.
Alejandro Garnacho pulled one back for the Blues eight minutes later, but Martin Zubimendi restored the Gunners' two-goal advantage 19 minutes from time. Garnacho struck again 12 minutes later, but an equaliser wasn't to be as Mikel Arteta's side go into the second leg at home with a slender aggregate advantage.
Effusive in his praise for Estevao, Hasselbaink said on Sky Sports (via Instagram):
"Nobody has really done that to Timber. Estevao gave him a really hard time. The boy can play. It's so nice to see him doing it. While he's doing it, we're talking to each other 'look at him, look at him.' He gets you at the end of your seats.
"That's what we want to see, and he brings it. He's a little bit unlucky not to have a goal because twice he had a really good shot at goal. But he's an exceptional player, and he's only going to get better."
The second leg of the tie is at the Emirates on February 3. Before that, the Blues have three games in the Premier League and two in the UEFA Champions League.
"We're playing probably the best pressing team in Europe" - Chelsea boss Liam Rosenoir on Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenoir
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenoir
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenoir was all praise for Arsenal, calling them the best pressing outfit in the continent, as his team fell to a defeat at home in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
While noting the absence of many players, Rosenoir pointed out that he needs to find a way to win despite a busy schedule and that he's confident in the ability of the players at his disposal:
"We're playing probably the best pressing team in Europe today, with their full‑strength team, and we're missing a lot of players," Rosenoir said (as per the BBC). "I was proud of the bravery of the players to try to execute certain aspects of what I asked. In six days, we've had two games. I'm not asking for time because I think the group are good enough to win now.
"But I need to put my stamp on the team as well - otherwise there's no point in me being here. So it's a fine balance, and hopefully the fans will see the progression in the team. But we need to win at the same time."
Chelsea next take on Brentford at home in the Premier League on Saturday (January 17) before entertaining UEFA Champions League debutants Pafos four days later.