Chelsea p1-1 Newcastle: Blues into EFL Cup semi-final after penalty shootout win over Magpies
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Updated 20/12/2023 at 08:49 GMT
Mikhailo Mudryk and Dorde Petrovic were the Chelsea heroes as the Blues booked their place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup following a penalty shootout win over Newcastle. The Magpies led through Callum Wilson and looked to be heading for the final four until Mudryk's stoppage time equaliser. Petrovic saved from Matt Ritchie in the subsequent shootout for the win.
Chelsea - Newcastle, EFL Cup
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea kept their hopes of lifting the EFL Cup alive with a stunning late turnaround to beat Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
It required an injury time equaliser from Mikhailo Mudryk to send the game to penalties after a mistake from Kieran Trippier. In the shootout that followed Trippier then put his effort wide before Dorde Petrovic saved Matt Ritchie’s kick to put Chelsea through.
A classy finish by Callum Wilson had given Newcastle the lead after 16 minutes, after a long run from his own half. He appeared to have lost the ball on the edge of the area but a poor touch from Benoit Badiashile gifted Wilson the chance to curl a shot past Dorde Petrovic with the outside of his foot.
The hosts were dominant in possession throughout and hit the bar after just seven minutes through Connor Gallagher. Bruno Guimaraes later cleared a Raheem Sterling shot off the line and Nicolas Jackson dragged a shot just wide. Christopher Nkunku finally made his debut as a substitute in the second half, but Chelsea laboured in front of goal until Mudryk’s late intervention.
Chelsea advance to the semi-finals alongside Middlesbrough and Fulham, who beat Port Vale and Everton 3-0 and on penalties respectively.
The fourth semi-finalist will be decided tomorrow when Liverpool play West Ham United.
TALKING POINT
Can Chelsea lift the EFL Cup and salvage their season? What a difference a few minutes can make. Until Mudryk’s goal in injury time Chelsea looked certain to be out of another competition, with only the FA Cup to realistically target after Christmas.
After the kind of gut-wrenching late swing normally associated with Texas Hold ‘Em poker, January will now bring forth a two-legged EFL Cup semi-final and the chance to go to Wembley. That brutal late twist could turn out to be a decisive stanza in the reign of Mauricio Pochettino and buy him more time to shape his team at Stamford Bridge.
Mudryk’s strike was his best moment in a Chelsea shirt to date, while Nkunku finally made his debut in the second half. The investment in Pochettino and this squad has been enormous; some of that faith would surely be repaid if they could give Todd Boehly and the Chelsea fans a day out at the national stadium in February.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Connor Gallagher (Chelsea)
It was a tough night for Chelsea as they struggled to find the cohesive play to bring an equaliser. Gallagher was tireless in working to drive Chelsea forwards, and took on the responsibility for directing the play after Fernandez hobbled off with an injury.
PLAYER RATINGS
Chelsea: Petrovic 7; Disasi 6, Thiago Silva 6, Badiashile 5, Colwill 6; Caicedo 5, Fernandez 6, Gallagher 8; Sterling 7, Jackson 6, Palmer 6
SUBS: Gusto 7, Maatsen 6, Mudryk 7, Nkunku 6, Broja 6
Newcastle United: Dubravka 6; Krafth 6, Lascelles 7, Botman 6, Livramento 6; Bruno Guimaraes 7, Longstaff 6, Miley 7; Almiron 6, Wilson 7, Gordon 6
SUBS: Trippier 5, Ritchie 6, Burn 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
7' OFF THE BAR! The corner breaks to Gallagher in the D, unmarked. He curves a delicious half-volley towards the top corner, but it clangs off the bar and out with Dubravka beaten all ends up.
16' GOAL! CHELSEA 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 (WILSON 16) Oh my, Newcastle are in front and what a comedy of errors from Chelsea. Colwill plays a shocking pass to Caicedo in the centre circle, and it squirms loose. Wilso picks it up, on his own, and drives at Chelsea's centre backs. He scorches past Silva but Badiashile has it covered, or so he thinks; Badiashile stumbles over the ball trying to turn, and serves it up to Wilson, who buries it past Petrovic with the outside of his foot!
55' CLOSE! This was a chance. After good work by Gusto, Broja spins into the area and drills a low cut back to Jackson. Spinning and shooting like Gerd Muller, Jackson puts his shot just wide of the near post from ten yards out.
87' CLOSE! Mudryk lofts a beauty of a cross to the back post for Gusto. Livramento flies in to get his head on it, and almost puts it in at is own far post! Corner to Chelsea.
90+2' GOAL! CHELSEA 1 (MUDRYK 90+2') NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 Oh my word, we're level! Gusto whips a bouncing cross to the back post; Trippier lets it bounce, but makes a hash of his header back to Dubravka. Mudryk steals in, and places the ball into the far corner!
PENALTIES - SAVED! CHELSEA 4 NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 Chelsea have won it! Ritchie goes medium height and to the right, and Petrovic gets across to save it. Stamford Bridge goes off!
KEY STAT
- Callum Wilson made his 100th appearance for Newcastle tonight, scoring his 46th goal in the process.
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