Surprising origins lead to Chelsea’s happiness and Newcastle’s despair in the dramatic Carabao Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino, after a long wait, can finally savor a moment of triumph and joy. His Chelsea team has reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, while a brave Newcastle United team suffered a cruel defeat on penalties. It seemed like another frustrating match for the Blues, with lots of potential but ultimately leading to disappointment in this ambitious undertaking.

In a desperate search for motivation, they found it in an unexpected way when Kieran Trippier made yet another costly mistake and their heavily criticized player Mykhailo Mudryk was the one who caused the damage. He skillfully directed the ball into the corner during added time and then confidently converted a penalty in the shootout. This exciting evening in the Carabao Cup may mark the start of Chelsea’s success under Pochettino.

The pace of this intense match was established within the first minute when Moises Caicedo dragged his cleats down Anthony Gordon’s leg – a harsh tackle that could have resulted in a red card if VAR had been in use.

The hosts had a strong beginning and Conor Gallagher came close to scoring early on. He expertly curled the ball with his instep after controlling it perfectly on the edge of the box. Unfortunately, his shot hit the woodwork and Martin Dubravka was unable to save it.

However, as has been the case frequently this season, disaster looms for Chelsea. A mistake by Levi Colwill led to an embarrassing play for the home team. Callum Wilson made a strong run towards the goal, despite being surrounded by Caicedo, Thiago Silva, and Benoit Badiashile. His determination paid off as both Silva and Badiashile mishandled the ball, allowing Wilson to score and give his team the lead. This sparked exuberant celebrations from the lively Newcastle fans in the Shed End, further fueling the already electric atmosphere.

Chelsea had a strong response, particularly from Raheem Sterling who had two near misses in just a few minutes. The first was a close slide from a difficult angle after quickly moving in from the left. The second saw Sterling skillfully pull away to receive Gallagher’s pass, causing chaos among the opposing team’s players. However, his shot was blocked by Bruno Guimaraes, preventing a potential goal.

After a dejected Enzo Fernandez hobbled down the tunnel, succumbing to illness, Chelsea were reinvigorated by Armando Broja joining Nicolas Jackson in a two-pronged attack, though the Senegalese drifted to the left at times. The side’s latest reinvention as Pochettino scrambles for that perfect combination.

Chelsea was visibly frustrated as Colwill made a crunching tackle on Emil Krafth just before half-time. They were lucky that VAR was not an option for review.

Newcastle was content to defend and waited for opportunities to counterattack with Gordon’s quick pace after the game resumed. However, Gordon had to leave the field with a limp after his explosive run, much to Eddie Howe’s frustration. This adds to the already depleted squad, and Matt Ritchie had to quickly prepare to come on and maintain their lead. With a five-point difference from fourth place, the busy holiday schedule could potentially exhaust Newcastle and leave them struggling like a tired boxer in a championship match.

Chelsea sensed an opportunity as Newcastle kept falling back; Jackson spun and missed the mark before eventually passing to Sterling, whose powerful shot was saved by Dubravka. By the hour mark, Newcastle was struggling to put up a fight, but Broja’s third poorly timed run since coming in provided some much-needed relief.

Pochettino quickly brought Christopher Nkunku back from the corner flag, causing the home fans to become even more excited for their £52m newcomer’s debut. A loud cheer echoed throughout the stadium as the French player’s entrance was announced with 22 minutes left. Despite Chelsea’s dominance, they struggled to find composure and precision in the attacking third to penetrate Newcastle’s strong defense. Positioned behind Broja, Nkunku provided the Blues with a focal point for their persistent offensive efforts.

Nkunku injected some urgency for the home team, while Cole Palmer was given the opportunity to play a deeper role and increase the pace of the game. Nkunku was eager to score his first goal in his debut, making a run and anticipating a one-on-one opportunity, but Sterling’s pass was too forceful.

Nkunku was unable to locate his teammate, Malo Gusto, who was also a substitute. Instead, he kicked the ball out of play, much to the delight of the away fans. Groans could also be heard throughout Stamford Bridge as their chances of winning started to diminish.

Broja, a graduate of the Cobham academy which has a history of producing many starting players each season, was at the forefront of Chelsea’s offense. He was accompanied by Palmer, Nkunku, and Mudryk, a trio with a combined value of over £180m. This was the exact type of talented and creative force that Todd Boehly and his team of sporting directors had envisioned.

After a lengthy and meticulous buildup, there would be a need for another mistake in order to rescue the tie, this time from a player wearing a black and white shirt.

Trippier’s poor performance continued as Newcastle approached the end of the match. Despite Chelsea’s seemingly easy cross in the 91st minute, Trippier’s tired header gave Dubravka enough doubt to stay in place. This allowed Mudryk to capitalize on the opportunity and score, tying the game. It was a huge relief for Trippier, who has struggled since joining Chelsea.

Consequences would ensue and Trippier’s suffering would continue without respite. Despite typically excelling at penalty kicks, the English player missed wide, giving Chelsea an opportunity to win.

Nkunku scored his first goal with an impressive debut performance, and it’s safe to say it won’t be his last for this team. Another unexpected hero, Petrovic, stepped up in place of the injured Robert Sanchez and made a crucial save to secure their advancement. However, this is only on paper for now, but Pochettino will see it as a significant achievement.

Source: independent.co.uk