Benoit Badiashile blushes saved as Christopher Nkunku makes immediate Chelsea impact

The full-time verdict from Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarter-final tie with Newcastle United as the Blues progress into the final four of the competition with a penalty shootout win

Chelsea are through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after a penalty shootout win over Newcastle United. Djordje Petrovic has made himself an immediate Blues hero after denying Matt Ritchie in tremendous style in what turned out to be the decisive penalty kick.

Callum Wilson’s goal early on was cancelled out right at the death by Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukraine international netted a rare goal after capitalising on a mistake from Kieran Trippier to make Stamford Bridge erupt.

Early on in the game, Chelsea were perhaps a tad fortunate not to be a man down. Moises Caicedo’s foot planted onto Anthony Gordon’s achilles but referee Jarred Gillett handed the Ecuadorian a yellow card and it could not be overturned with no VAR in place at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea then began to grow into the game a bit. Conor Gallagher, Chelsea’s captain on the night, hit the crossbar with a great effort from the edge of the box, but Newcastle were looking like a constant threat on the break.

Wilson then capitalised on some horrendous defending from the hosts just over a quarter of an hour into the tie. Levi Colwill went to pass it to Caicedo, but the midfielder’s stretching leg could not touch the ball and then Wilson was away. He went to take on Benoit Badiashile, but it looked as if the French defender had dealt with it well.

However, as he tried to take it past Wilson with his left foot, the ball then hit his right shin and played the Newcastle striker clean through on goal. Wilson made no mistake from close range.

Pochettino, when speaking to the press on Monday afternoon, was proven right with what he said. Chelsea were once again their own worst enemy and they paid for it.

“To be honest, I am not so happy because if you want to win the competition, we need to win the competition against us,” Pochettino said. “We are our own worst enemies.

“We have the possibility and tomorrow we are ready to compete and fight in every single action, win the duels, and anticipate the things to be faster and stronger than them. At the moment, we are in a project where we are fighting against ourselves to be better.”

Things got worse for Chelsea when Enzo Fernandez was substituted after half an hour. Some reports online claimed the Argentine was not feeling too well going into the game but the midfielder could be seen holding his thigh as he spoke to Pochettino before coming off. He headed straight down the tunnel with Jesus Perez.

In the second-half, it started much better. Chelsea were essentially camped in Newcastle’s half and were dominating possession. But the Magpies were holding firm.

Then it was time for Pochettino to call on Christopher Nkunku, who came on for his Chelsea debut, almost six months to the day after he officially signed for the club. It certainly gave Chelsea supporters a big lift with just over 20 minutes of normal time remaining.

And deep into stoppage time, Chelsea’s pressure finally paid off. A mistake from Kieran Trippier saw Mudryk sneak in at the far post and fire past Martin Dubravka, meaning the game went to penalties at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had a 100 per cent record from the penalty spot in their four attempts. Cole Palmer, Gallagher, Nkunku and Mudryk all scored from 12 yards.

Trippier, however, put his kick wide and Ritchie’s effort was saved superbly by Petrovic to ensure the Blues’ progression into the final four. Stamford Bridge erupted. An immediate impact for Nkunku.