Chelsea completed a dramatic comeback to reach the League Cup semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Newcastle, following Mykhailo Mudryk’s last-minute equalizer on Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were joined in the semi-finals by Fulham, who beat Everton on penalties, and second division side Middlesbrough, who won 3-0 against Port Vale.
Beaten three times in their last five games, a catastrophic series that began with their 4-1 defeat against Newcastle, Chelsea showed a much-needed fighting spirit to win this quarter-final on penalties, 4-2, after one match draw 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Struggling in 11th place in the Premier League, the Blues were two minutes from being eliminated before Ukrainian winger Mudryk came to save the furniture with the equalizer which set the stage for victory on penalties.
Chelsea’s progress puts Pochettino in contention for his first trophy in England following his 2015 League Cup final defeat while at Tottenham.
The defeat is a blow for Newcastle, who failed to gain revenge for last season’s League Cup final loss to Manchester United at Wembley.
After being eliminated in the Champions League group stage, Newcastle’s exit is another setback for the Saudi-backed club in their quest for a first major title since 1969.
Newcastle opened the scoring thanks to chaotic Chelsea defense in the 16th minute. Callum Wilson took advantage of a loss of possession in his own half and accelerated to escape from Thiago Silva and drive into the Chelsea penalty area. Benoit Badiashile should have extinguished the threat, but his desperately botched attempt at a clearance allowed Wilson to score easily.
Twenty minutes from time, French striker Christopher Nkunku came on for his Chelsea debut after a long injury absence since arriving from RB Leipzig at the end of the season.
In the second minute of added time, Chelsea forced a penalty shootout thanks to an error by Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier, who mishandled a cross, deflecting his header towards Mudryk, who sent the ball into the corner lower than the goal.
Trippier’s bad luck was compounded when he sent Newcastle’s second shot wide.
Nkunku converted Chelsea’s third shot on goal for his first significant contribution to the club.
Djordje Petrovic sealed Chelsea’s victory by diving left to make a brilliant save from Matt Ritchie’s shot.
Fulham qualified for the semi-finals for the first time after a penalty shootout victory over Everton, following a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
Fulham manager Marco Silva gained some revenge on the club that sacked him in 2019 by leading Fulham to their first domestic semi-final since the 2002 FA Cup.
Tosin Adarabioyo scored the decisive spot-kick after Everton’s Idrissa Gueye hit the post.
Amadou Onana had missed a chance to win the match for Everton in the previous penalty shootout, his shot being saved by Bernd Leno.
Fulham opened the scoring in the 41st minute when Antonee Robinson’s cross was deflected by Everton defender Michael Keane for an own goal.
Beto’s substitute equalized for Everton eight minutes from time when he headed in James Garner’s deflected shot.
Middlesbrough qualified for the semi-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2004 by eliminating Port Vale.
Port Vale, 15th in League One, were making their first League Cup quarter-final appearance, but Michael Carrick’s Championship side ended their fairytale run with authority.
Middlesbrough opened the scoring after 11 minutes through Jonathan Howson, and Morgan Rogers doubled the lead before Matt Crooks scored the third goal.
Liverpool host West Ham in the last quarter-final on Wednesday.