For 92 minutes, Chelsea were at their worst. Nicolas Jackson spurned chances and Raheem Sterling missed passes. Axel Disasi advanced from right-back, looked to overlap and then came back. Armando Broja spent the evening veering offside and Newcastle went ahead when Benoît Badiashile got confused trying to dribble from Callum Wilson.
It looked like Wilson’s early goal would be enough for Newcastle to avoid the disappointment of exiting the Champions League. Instead Eddie Howe had to endure more players getting injured and his side suffering a second cup exit in the week. This is because Kieran Trippier, normally a very reliable defender, has suffered a systemic failure and needs a good rest over the festive period.
Relating to: Fulham beat Everton on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup
Perhaps fatigue has affected Trippier, who has been in action against Everton and Tottenham this month. Chelsea dominated the second half but were running out of ideas as the final whistle approached. They had made life easier for Newcastle by passing sideways and backwards and Sterling was booked for diving. It would have been interesting to hear the home fans’ reaction had Newcastle held on.
But sometimes seasons change in the blink of an eye. Stamford Bridge went into a frenzy when Trippier allowed Chelsea substitute Mykhailo Mudryk to equalize in the second minute of extra time and force a penalty shoot-out. Mauricio Pochettino was furious, gushing disappointment at the manager and praising his side’s display for the win. It would have been preferable not to dwell on Chelsea’s failings before Mudryk changed the course of the whole affair.
Pochettino needed to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup to give his young team momentum. It will be noted that Stamford Bridge finally sounded united after Djordje Petrovic, who started only second in goal for Chelsea, saved Matt Ritchie’s penalty to seal a 4-2 shoot-out win.
Trippier had of course already sent the spot kick wide. Although the night was not entirely positive, Chelsea responded by converting all the penalties. The club and the Metropolitan Police are launching an investigation after a home fan invaded the pitch and cornered Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka following Mudryk’s goal.
Newcastle left with complaints. Emil Krafth walked away with a shin injury after being tackled by Levi Colwill, and Anthony Gordon limped away. Howe also pointed out that Moisés Caicedo may have been sent off for an ugly foul on Gordon during the opening exchanges.
The aggression did not intimidate Newcastle despite being 11 short. Chelsea came close to taking the lead early on, Conor Gallagher upping the ante but the visitors were ready for it. Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff soon began to determine the tempo of the midfield.
Newcastle’s desire to capture loose balls played a role in their ability to take Chelsea’s corner and strike first in the 16th minute. A loose pass was also passed from Colwill to Caicedo. Wilson got the ball and all hell broke loose from there. The Newcastle striker was isolated and appeared to be out of luck when the ball evaded him despite passing a pass past Thiago Silva. This arose again when Badiashile’s mistake gave Wilson the chance to slot the ball over Petrovic.
Chelsea went crazy. Sterling shot wide and saw an effort towards goal blocked by Guimarees. Broja came on to replace the ill Enzo Fernández. Cole Palmer shot very close to Dubravka. Tempers flared when Colwill fouled Krafth.
Colwill did not have a good game. Miguel Almirón targeted the left-back, who made room for Malo Gusto just before half-time. Despite this, the game was opening for Chelsea. Newcastle made changes; Dan Burn and Trippier replaced Krafth and Sven Botman at the back. Then they lost Gordon, who came forward during the counterattack.
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Chelsea took the lead. Jackson fired wide. Dubravka blocked Sterling. There was a roar when Pochettino brought on Christopher Nkunku for a late substitute in the 69th minute. No pressure. It was the £51m striker’s first appearance since suffering a knee injury in training. Chelsea couldn’t expect too much from him.
More howls were heard when Sterling crossed the pass to Nkunku. Pochettino thought Tino Livramento had attempted to remove him. Gallagher later appealed for the penalty when Livramento appealed. There was no such chance until Trippier tried to direct Gusto’s cross towards Dubravka and Mudryk pounced with a low finish. Chelsea’s momentum has increased. Defeated and exhausted, Newcastle once again felt their strength drained.