Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino believes his side can win the Carabao Cup after beating Blackburn Rovers in the first round.

For the first time at home since late September, Chelsea beat the Championship side at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Benoit Badiashile and Raheem Sterling.

We need to consider this a big competition for us, said manager Pochettino.

It is not in Europe, so it should be an opportunity for us just like the Premier League and the FA Cup in January. Of course, we have to think we can win it.”

After Rovers keeper Leopold Wahlstedt palmed Conor Gallagher’s cross from a short corner straight to Badiashile inside the box, the French defender opened the scoring on the half-hour mark.

With nearly an hour gone, Sterling curled a ball into the far corner after running on to Cole Palmer’s interception.

Robert Sanchez’s fine save denied Blackburn’s best chance when substitute Arnor Sigurdsson was played through.

Chelsea have struggled in the Premier League this season, sitting 11th in the table with just three wins from 10 games, but their Carabao Cup performances have been a positive and moving one step closer to some silverware will be a timely boost for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

The sight of Reece James flying down the right as part of Chelsea’s attack is something supporters at Stamford Bridge have missed for most of this season.

The Chelsea captain was making his first start since the opening day of the Premier League season and was constantly threatening against Blackburn, having a good chance to open the scoring saved after an excellent pass by Enzo Fernandez.