Chelsea players celebrate after Chelsea’s Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic #28 saves a penalty during the penalty shootout to win the FA Cup quarter-final football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2023. (Photo by Adrián) DENNIS/AFP)
Chelsea recovered from a poor run of form to reach the League Cup semi-finals with a penalty shoot-out victory over Newcastle after Mykhailo Mudryk’s last-gasp equalizer on Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team was joined in the semi-finals by Fulham, who beat Everton on penalties, and second division Middlesbrough, who defeated Port Vale 3-0.
After losing three of their previous five games, a terrible run that began with a 4-1 defeat at Newcastle, Chelsea showed the fighting spirit they needed to win the quarter-final 4-2 on penalties after a draw 1-1 at Stamford Bridge. .
Chelsea, tenth in the Premier League, were two minutes away from the knockout stage before Ukrainian winger Mudryk came to the rescue with the equalizer, setting the stage for the Blues’ success from the penalty spot.
Pochettino’s only titles as a coach are the French league title and the national cup with Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea’s progress keeps the Argentine in contention for his first trophy in England since losing the 2015 League Cup final while at Tottenham.
“We are so happy. The fans and the club deserve that feeling. It is a great motivation,” said Pochettino.
“We are very young. We created a very good connection. A result like this will help us.”
The defeat was a painful blow for Newcastle, who were unable to avenge last season’s League Cup final defeat to Manchester United at Wembley.
After crashing out of the Champions League group stage, Newcastle’s exit was another setback for the Saudi-backed club as they bid to win their first major trophy since 1969.
“It hurts much. We defended very well but we didn’t get over the line,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.
“This is a very painful moment for us. We will have to accept it and digest it.”
Newcastle took the lead in the 16th minute thanks to Chelsea’s chaotic defending.
Callum Wilson picked up the ball in his own half and accelerated away from Thiago Silva as his run took him into the Chelsea box.
Benoit Badiachile should have eliminated the danger, but a terrible error by the defender allowed Wilson to take advantage easily.
With 20 minutes left in the season, French striker Christopher Nkunku made his Chelsea debut after a long layoff due to injury following his late-season signing from RB Leipzig.
Chelsea forced a penalty shootout two minutes into stoppage time when Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier received a cross and deflected a header towards Mudryk, who fired into the bottom corner.
Most amazing pain
Trippier’s misfortune was compounded when he kicked Newcastle’s second penalty of the series.
Nkunku converted Chelsea’s third penalty in his first major contribution to the club.
Djordje Petrovic sealed Chelsea’s victory when he dived to his left to make a brilliant save from Matt Ritchie’s shot.
Fulham reached the semi-finals for the first time after beating Everton 7-6 following a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Cottagers manager Marco Silva took some measure of revenge on the club that sacked him in 2019 by guiding Fulham to their first domestic semi-final since the 2002 FA Cup.
Tosin Adarabio scored the winning goal after Everton’s Idrissa Gueye hit the post.
Amadou Onana missed the chance to equalize for Everton early in the penalty shootout when his shot was saved by Bernd Leno.
Fulham took the lead in the 41st minute thanks to a Michael Keane own goal, before Everton substitute Beto equalized with eight minutes remaining.
“It’s incredible what the players did,” Silva said. “We wanted to make history for the football club.”
Middlesbrough beat third division side Port Vale to reach the semi-finals for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2004.
Michael Carrick’s Championship side ruined Vale’s first quarter-final appearance with goals from Jonathan Howson, Morgan Rodgers and Matt Crooks.
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Liverpool host West Ham in the final quarterfinal match on Wednesday.
2023-12-22 05:52:53
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