Chelsea booked their passage to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup on penalties after Mykhailo Mudryk’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
Mudryk slotted home after a mistake from Kieran Trippier just as Eddie Howe’s side looked to have done enough to ease past the hosts, who struggled to create for much of the game.
Earlier, Callum Wilson had given the visitors a first-half lead on the counter-attack.
A big moment! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MlPnj47iEL
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 19, 2023
But as the game went to spot-kicks, Trippier again was culpable, firing wide from 12 yards before Matt Ritchie saw the critical kick saved by goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to see Chelsea through.
The first chance went to the hosts. Enzo Fernandez’s corner was flighted to the edge of the box where Conor Gallagher was waiting unmarked. Chelsea’s captain took a touch and sent a crisp, arching shot over Martin Dubravka and against the face of the crossbar as Newcastle survived an early scare.
Chelsea were comfortably on top but then they gifted Newcastle the opening goal.
Levi Colwill, high in the opposition half, tried to find Moises Caicedo but horribly overhit his pass. From there, Wilson took over and drove over the halfway line. He was marshalled by three defenders but Thiago Silva’s challenge was weak, Benoit Badiashile stumbled over his own feet and Wilson had the simplest task of guiding it around Petrovic’s dive.
Raheem Sterling twice came close to a quick response, first playing a neat one-two with Caicedo before rolling it wide of the far post, then smashing a shot goalwards from Cole Palmer’s cut-back that was cleared off the line by Bruno Guimaraes.
Fernandez was withdrawn just past the half-hour mark, departing straight down the tunnel injured. Armando Broja was sent on up front, with Nicolas Jackson going to the left wing and Palmer moving centrally.
It made little difference, as possession in the middle third yielded little in the way of chances with Newcastle content to sit and wait for the chance to counter.
Jackson dragged an effort wide early in the second half then played in Sterling down the right who drew a good, low save from Dubravka as he shot towards the far corner. Chelsea, finally, were showing the kind of intent that might place pressure on Newcastle.
By the 65-minute mark the hosts were in total control of the ball, but the tempo of the game remained stubbornly gentle. The ball criss-crossed back and forth across midfield as Howe’s defence simply drifted from left to right and back again, blocking any channels Chelsea hoped to exploit.
Gallagher dragged badly wide from the edge of the box before the moment home fans craved arrived with 20 minutes to play, Christopher Nkunku summoned from the bench to make a long-awaited debut after injury. How misfiring Chelsea needed last season’s Bundesliga top scorer, a £52million signing from RB Leipzig, to hit the ground running.
Instead it was another second-half substitute, Mudryk, who saved Pochettino, nicking the ball away from Trippier as he tried to head back to his goalkeeper.
A cool, curling finish sent the game to penalties and, after Petrovic’s heroics from Ritchie’s kick, put Chelsea on their way to the last four.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Maresca - Jack You can't elbow players.Nicolas Jackson - Ok boss LOL Haaland the last time Arsenal won the league.. South America owns football he is here …. How good is Cruzeiro? GOAT RECOGNIZES GOAT! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Emi Martinez 'dreaming' of a move to Man UtdAston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is reportedly keen on a move to Manchester United this summer amid the Red Devils' uncertainty regarding Andre Onana's future.The Sun has reported that a move to Old Trafford is Martinez's 'dream' and Ruben Amorim is keen on “captains and leaders” in his squad, and is an admirer of the Argentine World ...
GARETH BALE wants to buy hometown club Cardiff.The Wales legend is leading a consortium to take over the League One side.Cardiff is the subject of takeover interest from local lad Gareth BaleBale's group sent a letter of intent to Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan last month, which was rejected.But it is believed the desire to acquire the club, relegated from the Championship, remains strong.The 35-year...
Since Mikel Arteta took the reins at Arsenal, there's been a pattern in his transfer strategy. Initially, France was the go-to source, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba being prime examples, but the focus has since shifted. The Gunners have made successful forays into the Brazilian market, enjoyed a high success rate with Spanish recruits, and recently turned their attention to Italy. Howe...
Liverpool have broken their transfer record for the signing of Germany international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, the club announced on Friday.ESPN previously reported the deal to be worth a total of £116 million ($156.27 million) -- it includes an initial £100 million payment with £16 million in add-ons.Wirtz has signed a five-year deal with the Premier League champions, a ...
Al-Ittihad rival Monaco for Pogba signatureAS Monaco face competition for Paul Pogba's signature.The free agent is in talks with Monaco about a playing return, having been suspended since last year due to a failed doping test.Released by Juventus earlier this year, Pogba is now free to resume his playing career and talks with Monaco are underway.However, Fichajes.com says Al-Ittihad, from the Saud...
Man Utd plan to loan Rashford to Inter Milan ahead of next season in shock moveManchester United plan to loan out winger Marcus Rashford this summer as the club continues to look for a buyer.As reported by the Manchester Evening Standard, United are preparing for the prospect of loaning out Rashford for the entirety of next season after the winger fell out with manager Ruben Amorim last season. Th...
Napoli coach Conte: I really didn't think we'd sign McTominayNapoli coach Antonio Conte admits he didn't think Scott McTominay could be signed from Manchester United.McTominay joined Napoli in the final days of the summer market and ended the season a Serie A winner and also named Player of the Year in Italy.Conte told Sky Italia: "I knew McTominay very well , he grew up in the Premier League with...
Thibaut Courtois has been a key player for Real Madrid since he joined the club from Chelsea in 2018Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he will always be available to help new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen acclimatise to life at the Bernabeu.England defender Alexander-Arnold recently joined the club for 38m from0Liverpool while Spanish international Huijsen signed from ...
Barcelona superkid Yamal: We will definitely win the Champions LeagueBarcelona superkid Lamine Yamal is confident he will eventually win the Champions League.At 17, Yamal has won every trophy available in the domestic game - with a European title, at club level, still to be won.He told Barca Inside: "At 18 I ask for everything I had at 16 and 17, plus the title I am missing (the Champions League) ...
- 1 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 2 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 3 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 6 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 7 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 8 Real Madrid eye a trio of targets
- 9 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 10 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car