Carabao Cup

FROM GOING nowhere fast to one step from Wembley in the blink of an eye.Chelsea’s billionaire kids club produced the kind of stunning turnaround and sudden show of strength that has not only kept a large part of the season alive, it may just have awakened the beast in Blue after two years of slumber.
Mykhailo Mudryk scored a last-minute equaliserCredit: AP
Kieran Trippier had a night to forget as he missed a penalty in the shoot-out and gifted Chelsea their goalCredit: Reuters
Djordje Petrović saved Matt Ritchie’s penalty to send Chelsea throughCredit: EPA
Benoit Badisahile miscontrolled the ball to allow Callum Wilson to scoreCredit: Getty
Mauricio Pochettino’s raw team was 90-odd seconds from being knocked out of the Carabao Cup on their own ground after one of the worst shows of defending imaginable.
But then thanks to an equally hopeless lack of control from the opposition, combined with a fat injection of aggression and adrenaline, they are now into the semi-final.
Chelsea’s £62 million Ukrainian enigma Mykhailo Mudryk has raised more questions than he has answered with his performances since joining from Shakhtar Donetsk in January this year.
Even last night, it wasn’t just his equalising goal that will stand out for Chelsea’s equally relieved and jubilant fans this morning.
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It was seconds after when he grabbed Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes firmly round the neck in a heated reaction to a brutal challenge by the Brazilian on his team-mate Ian Maatsen.
It’s the first sign of life from the introverted Eastern European who has been hiding within himself for almost a year at Stamford Bridge.
That instinctive act of camaraderie may just be the trigger needed to revive that dozing Chelsea fighting spirit that once made this team so formidable.
From looking at an undignified exit in a second-rate competition, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad took the occasion by the jugular and made sure they emerged triumphant from a cracking cup tie.
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Newcastle were dead on their feet long before Trippier’s late cock up sent a pulsating match to penalties.
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But the hugely experienced full-back had only played one half after coming off the bench.
Even so, he was shaken enough by Chelsea’s overwhelming late show of force to miss from the spot with the Stamford Bridge stands also shaking from the vibrations of a packed house.
With the pressure then firmly on the visitors to score and stay in the tie, Matt Ritchie’s effort was saved by reserve Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic, who pushed the ball wide then punched the air in delight right in front of 5,000 shellshocked Geordies who had just seen their own little dreams of history evaporate in seconds.
Wilson’s ungainly goal looked to have put them on course for a first win here since 2012 against relentless pressure after half-time anyway.
A three-way mix-up between 39-year-old Thiago Silva, British-record £115 million midfielder Moises Caicedo and ambitious young France international Benoit Badiashile, a classic comedy caper of how not to defend.
There was no way Wilson should have got anywhere near the Chelsea goal in the 16th minute but he just kept on blundering along and eventually a calamitous touch from Badiashile allowed him the chance to curl home a shot – the finish a stark contrast to the build up.
Blues chief Pochettino did admit his team is its own worst enemy 24 hours before the game but nobody expected his players to take him at his word.
But with so many injuries, suspensions and old codgers on the pitch last night, there was a calamity waiting around every corner.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea have now joined the growing list of casualties from the Carabao Cup crocks derby.
Caicedo was lucky there is no VAR at this stage of the Carabao Cup. Ref Jarred Gillett overlooked his bruising trample on Toon right back Emil Krafth.
Both teams were in it for the fight – and sadly, so were some of the fans. A supporter jumped out of the Matthew Harding Stand to confront Newcastle’s stand-in keeper Martin Dubravka following Mudryk’s leveller one minute and 21 seconds into three of added time.
The Carabao Cup is worth way more to Chelsea this year than Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s team have just been dumped out of the Champions League but have eyes on a top four finish and an instant return next season.
Fledgling Chelsea are nowhere near Europe but appreciate that this tournament offers a way into the Europa League when consistency in the league can’t be relied upon.
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It was with that in mind that Pochettino changed things up and sent on Malo Gusto for the second half and the attacking-minded right back was on hand to cross deep into the Newcastle box during one final push for a goal.
Trippier’s lapse in focus saw the ball spin free and misfit Mudryk stopped overthinking and just pounced to lash home a shot that triggered the massive turnaround on the night and maybe for the future too. More

MARTIN DUBRAVKA earned a Carabao Cup winner’s medal with Manchester United last season despite hoping they lost the final.Newcastle’s Slovakian keeper, 34, played two games in the competition while on loan at Old Trafford.
Manchester United won the Carabao Cup in 2023, beating Newcastle in the finalCredit: Getty
Dubravka had a short loan spell at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
But his January recall to the Magpies meant that even with Toon No 1 Nick Pope suspended as both clubs reached the final, Dubravka was cup-tied and had to watch the Wembley clash from the stands as the Red Devils won 2-0.
But with Pope crocked thanks to a shoulder injury this time around, Dubravka is eyeing up another medal — this time with Newcastle.
But there is a long way to go and tonight Chelsea stand in their way at Stamford Bridge in what promises to be a belter of a quarter-final.
Dubravka said: “It would mean more with Newcastle, it would be absolutely fantastic.
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“The final last season was the strangest game because I wanted Newcastle to win.
“Everyone was asking me who I’m going to support, and I always said I always support Newcastle.
“It was 5½ years as opposed to five months so you can’t compare.
“I wanted Newcastle to win for the city because the fans are just waiting for something special.
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“It was a strange situation, I didn’t want to be in it. I have the medal at home but it’s not on display.”
Dubravka received his medal from Red Devils chiefs when they visited St James’ Park five weeks later and again sat out — this time on the bench — as his employers won 2-0.
While he has had to bide his time to get back in the Toon side, the potential to become a hero and help the Tyneside club land a first major domestic trophy since 1955 is within his grasp.
And it would be some redemption for Dubravka, who went from fan favourite for bailing them out time and again under Mike Ashley’s ownership to outcast for agreeing to leave for Old Trafford.
Some supporters were furious that he favoured a couple of games at Old Trafford as a cup goalie over fighting for his spot at St James’ Park.
And Dubravka added: “It was very stressful. I received so many messages from the fans.
“They were not happy I left but they were special circumstances and it’s in the past.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I came back but I’ve been here for nearly six years and I always said it feels like home.
“It’s a special place and it means everything to me.”
Dubravka is filling in for the injured Nick Pope between the sticksCredit: Getty
Eddie Howe is preparing for his 100th match in charge of NewcastleCredit: PA
Tonight’s clash with Chelsea will be Dubravka’s fifth straight start since coming in for Pope following the England stopper’s dislocated shoulder.
And Dubravka said: “I was waiting for so long to get back in the team. I hope we can win it this season. We have a couple of injuries but there’s a possibility and you have to have the highest ambitions.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe celebrates his 100th game in charge with this last-eight tie in West London.
But he delivered a “same again” message to his troops amid a glut of injuries plus fatigue in his squad.
Howe, whose side crashed out of Europe last week, is desperate to mark the landmark game with the win which would put them into a two-leg semi-final from a return trip to Wembley.
The 46-year-old said: “We want this competition. We want the excitement of challenging for trophies.
“The dream didn’t turn to reality last season but maybe this year. This is where we want to be — not just now but in the future.”
On reaching 100 games, the manager added: “It’s absolutely flown by as life tends to when you get older.
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“I’ve loved every second of it, so many highlights, so many memories and I’m very proud to have been on that journey with this club.
“And if the players give me everything they’ve done in the first 100 games and continue to do that, I’ll take whatever comes.
“They have not disappointed for a second and I’m very proud to lead them.”
Newcastle have knocked out Manchester City and United on their way to the last eight.
But Howe, who can look forward to a hostile FA Cup third-round tie at Sunderland next month, has no regrets over the Geordies’ demanding schedule.
He said: “We’ve been thrust into the most difficult cup draws and it has really stretched us and taken us out of our comfort zone.
“The games we’ve played have been intense and there has been no let-up in terms of the quality. No part of me regrets that or thinks it’s a negative.
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“It’s a positive because it’s forcing us to improve and to be the team we want to be in the long term. We have to be exposed to those games to get closer.”
Alexander Isak could be on the bench while there will be late calls on Fabian Schar and Joelinton, who were both withdrawn before half-time in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham. More