Chelsea stars jet off from Liverpool airport after Carabao Cup victory

Chelsea's players were in good spirits as they departed Liverpool late on Wednesday night after their Carabao Cup victory at Anfield.

Eden Hazard was the hero on the night, coming off the bench to turn the tie around and seal a 2-1 victory over the Premier League leaders having fallen behind.

The Belgian scored a stunning late solo strike to settle the tie and send the Blues into the fourth round.

All goals had come in the second-half with Emerson Palmieri poking home from close range to cancel out Daniel Sturridge's acrobatic opener.

The result sees Maurizio Sarri's side draw first blood ahead of facing Jurgen Klopp and Co in the league on Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash.

Hazard later accepted that his goal could be the best of his career.

He said: 'The goal was special and so was the qualification. It's always tough to play here.

'That's why the win is more important. I spoke with N'Golo (Kante) on the bench and he told me that he didn't want penalties so the only option was to score! I did well so we can go well.

'I think the game on Saturday is going to be more important. I don't know if it's in my top five goals but it's up there because it's against Liverpool.'

Assistant Gianfranco Zola was thrilled with Hazard's cameo and added: 'Eden is one of the best players in Europe and the world for sure.

'What he has done today with that goal is proof of that. He is getting better and better he is doing the right things at the right moment.'