The semi-finals of the English League Cup will already bring together two London clubs. Chelsea and Fulham qualified on penalties, respectively against Newcastle (1-1, 4-2 on the tab) and Everton (1-1, 7-6 on the tab) on Tuesday evening.
Mauricio Pochettino’s players trembled at Stamford Bridge. Because the Magpies quickly opened the score. On a counter-attack, Callum Wilson played three defenders to take advantage of a big mistake from Benoît Badiashile, who got his legs tangled at the entrance to the area, and thus deceive Dorde Petrovic with a subtle outside of the right (0-1, 16th).
The Blues were dominant throughout the game, whether in the first or second half. But it was in added time that Chelsea snatched the penalty shootout: they entered a quarter of an hour from time, a few minutes after Christopher Nkunku, who played his first match with the Blues (he was injured on knee since the start of the season), Mykhailo Moudrik equalized with a cross shot from the right (1-1, 90th + 2).
Mykhaïlo Mudryk celebrates the equalizing goal with Christopher Nkunku. (D. Martinez/Reuters)
And the penalty shootout smiled on Chelsea. Unlike Nkunku, Kieran Trippier missed his attempt, before Matt Ritchie came up against Petrovic, which sealed the fate of this quarter. (1-1, 4-2 on the tabs).
Gueye missed his shot on goal, Everton eliminated
In the other quarter between elite clubs, Fulham imitated their neighbor by winning at Everton (1-1, 7-6 on the tab). The Cottagers, against the run of play, opened the scoring with an own goal from Michael Keane (0-1, 41st). In a technically mediocre match, Everton pushed on the edge of the last ten minutes and were rewarded in the 82nd minute. At the origin of Fulham’s goal, Antonee Robinson poorly repelled a ball which benefited Beto with a header. On a missed shot on goal by former Parisian Idrissa Gueye followed by a successful attempt by Tosin Adarabioyo, Fulham reached the last four.
The joy of the Fulham players, who come to congratulate their goalkeeper Bernd Leno. (J. Cairnduff/Reuters)
There were no surprises in the third quarter of the evening. In the clash of the “little ones”, Middlesbrough won at Port Vale (3-0). The Championship club (D2) took the lead over League One (D3) thanks to Jonny Howson, Morgan Rogers and Matt Crooks. Liverpool will host West Ham on Wednesday (9 p.m.) at Anfield, for the last ticket.
2023-12-19 23:40:46
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