Chelsea were down to their final five minutes, on the brink of going out of the League Cup at the hands of Newcastle, before a late equalizer and penalty shootout victory propelled them into the semifinals instead.
[ MORE: 10 things we learned from Premier League Week 17 ]
The Blues will join Fulham and Middlesbrough, along with the winner of Wednesday’s other quarterfinal tie between Liverpool and West Ham, in the final four next month.
Tuesday began bleakly for Chelsea, as Callum Wilson capitalizes on some rather lackadaisical effort by multiple defenders wearing blue shirts in the 16th minute. Wilson picked the ball up inside his own half and didn’t relinquish control until it hit the back of the net.
The 1-0 scoreline looked like holding to the full-time whistle, until disaster struck inside Newcastle’s penalty area in second-half stoppage time. A high, floated cross found its way to Kieran Trippier, who opted to control the ball and try to clear it himself. Only, he didn’t account for Mykhailo Mudryk racing around him and hammering a first-time finish past Martin Dubravka to make it 1-1 and send the tie straight to penalties.
Chelsea went 4-for-4 from the penalty spot, while Trippier’s day week month went from bad to worse in the shootout, as he stepped to the spot to take the Magpies’ second penalty and yanked it wide of the goal while Djordje Petrovic dove the opposite direction. Petrovic would also go on to finish the job be debying Matt Ritchie with Newcastle’s do-or-die attempt in round 4.
Chelsea vs Newcastle, final score: 1-1 (4-2 penalty kicks)
Goalscorers: Callum Wilson (16'), Mykhailo Mudryk (90'+1)
Chelsea penalties made: Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk
Chelsea penalties missed: None
Newcastle penalties made: Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle penalties missed: Kieran Trippier, Matt Ritchie
How to watch Chelsea vs Newcastle live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 3pm ET, Tuesday (Dec. 19)
Online: Watch via ESPN+
Chelsea starting lineup
Petrovic — Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Chilwell — Gallagher, Caicedo — Palmer, Fernandez, Sterling, Jackson
Newcastle starting lineup
Dubravka — Krafth, Lascelles, Botman, Livramento — Guimaraes, Longstaff, Miley — Almiron, Wilson, Gordon
Chelsea team news, injuries
The Blues could finally see Christopher Nkunku return to the pitch, as Pochettino says the star striker has about 20 minutes in his legs.
OUT: Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (torn ACL), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Lesley Ukochukwu (minor injury), Reece James (thigh), Robert Sanchez (knee), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Romeo Lavia (ankle). | QUESTIONABLE: Malo Gusto (undisclosed), Noni Madueke (minor injury).
Newcastle team news, injuries
There are still loads of injuries and absences for Newcastle, as Fabian Schar and Joelinton have joined the wounded just as Callum Wilson and Sven Botman have returned to the fold.
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Nick Pope (shoulder), Harvey Barnes (foot), Matt Targett (thigh), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Javi Manquillo (groin), Joe Willock (achilles). QUESTIONABLE: Kieran Trippier (fitness), Alexander Isak (groin), Fabian Schar (buttocks), Joelinton (thigh).
