In a penalty shootout on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea defeated Newcastle United 4-2 to go to the League Cup semifinals, following a goal from substitute Mykhailo Mudryk in the 92nd minute that gave the Blues hope.
Before Kieran Trippier, who had come in as a replacement, missed a cross from Malo Gusto and allowed Mudryk, who had also come on as a substitute, to slot home, Newcastle seemed set to steal a 1-0 victory in west London. Penalties followed, tying the score at one.
With just two goal appearances for the Blues, England defender Trippier badly squandered Newcastle’s second penalty kick to open the game. Then Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic produced an athletic save to block Matt Ritchie’s shot.
Trips is a man of strong character, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe informed reporters. “When he’s given us so much, now’s our turn to support him and look after him the other way, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Callum Wilson gave Chelsea the lead in the sixteenth minute by taking advantage of Benoit Badiashile’s error, who handled the ball carelessly and allowed Wilson to finish with a flick that beat Petrovic. Chelsea’s defenders were currently encircling Wilson.
Despite having better possession throughout the game, the home team was unable to penetrate Newcastle’s well-oiled defence.
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After being acquired from RB Leipzig, French striker Christopher Nkunku began the Londoners’ opening match as a substitute. Nkunku had sustained a knee injury in the offseason.
But before Mudryk’s injury-time goal, the showy Blues—who are playing in the Premier League for the second straight season—seemed destined to miss out on a big opportunity to win a championship.
After nearly a year at Chelsea, the Ukrainian has found it difficult to fit in. “It is obviously significant,” he told Sky Sports. “When you believe in each other and stick with it until the very end, good things can happen.”
“Sometimes when the game is tough, you need to keep pushing and believe until the last second because it’s football and everything can happen.”
Chelsea’s four scorers in the shootout were Conor Gallagher, Mudryk, Cole Palmer, and Nkunku.
Chelsea is focusing their efforts in their debut season under Mauricio Pochettino on winning local tournaments. The team is now 10th in the Premier League and did not qualify for the European tournament.
Last Wednesday, Newcastle, who haven’t won a major trophy since the 1950s, lost for the second time in as many days and was knocked out of the Champions League.
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