Cesc Fabregas has admitted he hopes his match-winning performance for Chelsea in their EFL Cup third-round win over Leicester "shuts" up his critics.
The Spaniard made his first start since Chelsea's 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers in the competition last month at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday having tasted just 32 minutes of action in the Premier League.
Despite favouring N'Golo Kante, Oscar and Nemanja Matic over Fabregas in midfield this season, Chelsea coach Antonio Conte recently insisted that the 29-year-old features in his long-term plans although the admission wasn't enough to stop stories emerging that linked the Spaniard with a move to AC Milan.
Fabregas had used social media prior to that to strongly deny any rift between him and Conte and, after scoring two goals in extra time to send Chelsea into the EFL Cup fourth round at the expense of Leicester on Tuesday, the midfielder took aim at his critics.
"It was a bit unfair they scored twice in the first half, they scored two goals although they were probably our mistakes, not focus maybe, but I think we played quite well," he told Sky Sports after the 4-2 victory.
"We were feeling quite comfortable but we know they are a dangerous team on the counter and this is what they did - and we paid for it but we showed great character as I think we've been showing during the whole season.
"I was happy to play, first of all, from the start and secondly if I can help the team then fantastic.
"Hopefully this will shut a few journalists, dailies, a few whatever who were talking rubbish all the time and [help me] focus on what is important, Chelsea winning and playing well. I know what I can do."
