More stories

  • in

    Premier League prodigy rushed to hospital with horror knee gash ‘down to the bone’

    SHEFFIELD UNITED youngster Oliver Arblaster was rushed to hospital after suffering a horror injury during a match.Arblaster is on loan from the Blades at League One side Port Vale.
    Oliver Arblaster was rushed to hospital after suffering a horror injuryCredit: Alamy
    The Sheffield United loanee suffered a nasty gash around his kneeCredit: Reuters
    He had to be stretchered off the pitch before he went to hospitalCredit: Alamy
    But during their 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, Arblaster had to be stretchered off.
    It came after a tackle left the centre midfielder writhing in pain with a nasty gash around his knee that went “right down to the bone”.
    Arblaster was given treatment on the field of play before he was taken off in the 59th minute.
    He was then rushed to hospital for further assessment and treatment on the injury.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    The Valiants boss Andy Crosby said after the game that Arblaster’s condition was a “much bigger concern” than the result.
    Crosby added: “It was a really deep gash around his knee and I think it’s gone right down to the bone, so he’s obviously in a lot of pain.
    “He’s just gone to hospital now so obviously he’s our number one concern at this moment in time.”
    The following morning Arblaster provided an update on his condition.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “[In] Hospital most of the night with still no sleep.
    “Gutted tonight wasn’t enough from us all needed to be better than we was.
    “Just want to say a massive thanks to the @OfficialPVFC fans for the support and messages I’ll be fighting to come back stronger see you all soon!💪🏽😢.”
    He now faces a spell on the sidelines to recover from the blow.
    So far this season Arblaster has featured in 26 games, scoring two goals in League One and adding an assist in the division and a match-winning assist in the League Cup first round.
    He has played five times for Sheffield Utd’s senior side, making his debut in the Championship last season. More

  • in

    Eddie Howe could not make the subs he wanted to against Chelsea, claims Toon legend Shay Given

    EDDIE HOWE could not make the substitutions he wanted to against Chelsea, according to Shay Given.The Newcastle legend pinpointed two players the Magpies boss will have wanted to withdraw in their Carabao Cup exit on Tuesday.
    Eddie Howe could not make the subs he wanted, according to Shay GivenCredit: Rex
    His former club were dumped out on penalties at Stamford Bridge after conceding a stoppage time equaliser.
    Having faded during the second half, Given was asked on Sky Sports if he thought Newcastle ran out of steam.
    He agreed as he responded: “Possibly, you look at Chelsea’s bench then you look at Newcastle’s bench. I think there were two keepers.
    “I know Matt Ritchie is more of an attacking player but the rest are fullbacks.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “You look at Almiron at times, maybe even Wilson, and you want to take them off for 20 minutes. Give them a bit of fresh impetus up top to get them higher up the pitch. But they couldn’t do that.
    “You have to feel for Eddie and his staff because he’s got to trust the 10 that’s out there.”
    Howe, who named just eight subs out of the permitted nine, made three changes during the match.
    Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn replaced Sven Botman and the injured Emil Krafth at half-time.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Anthony Gordon was then forced off just seven minutes later, with Matt Ritchie coming on in his place.
    The remainder of his bench consisted of goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and Loris Karius, centre-back Paul Dummett and teenage defenders Alex Murphy and Lewis Hall.
    Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino was able to use all five of his alterations, including the introduction of goalscorer Mykhailo Mudryk.
    Krafth and Gordon’s injuries are the latest in a growing list of blows to Howe’s squad.
    Newcastle now have 12 players sidelined in addition to Sandro Tonali’s season-ending suspension.
    The Magpies are also now out of both the Carabao Cup and Europe ahead of their return to league action this weekend.
    Howe will hope to snap their poor away streak and pick up a first league win on the road since September 24 at Luton on Saturday.
    Howe could only name eight subs against Chelsea, including two goalkeepersCredit: Rex More

  • in

    Fans spot Chelsea hero Petrovic’s mind games in penalty shootout win over Newcastle as little-known keeper steals show

    CHELSEA fans have been delighting in Djordje Petrovic’s mind games after the little-known goalkeeper’s heroics against Newcastle.The Blues advanced to the Carabao Cup semi-final draw after a dramatic comeback to beat the Magpies on penalties last night.
    Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic celebrates after securing a semi spotCredit: PA
    The Serbian saved the crucial spot-kick from Matt RitchieCredit: AP
    Petrovic was spotted pointing to his right as Matt Ritchie ran upCredit: bein sports
    He then dived high to his left after Ritchie fired his effort that wayCredit: bein sports
    Callum Wilson’s 16th-minute strike looked to be enough to send Newcastle into the last four before Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on Kieran Trippier’s error deep in stoppage time to send the game to the spot-kick lottery.
    Toon’s 33-year-old England international full-back then fired their second penalty wide in the shootout.
    And after Chelsea had converted each of their kicks, Petrovic made himself the new hero of Stamford Bridge by saving Matt Ritchie’s effort to advance into the semis.
    The 24-year-old Serbian ‘keeper signed a seven-year deal after joining the Blues from MLS club New England Revolution in August.
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    And after waiting for his opportunity, he has started the last three matches after the injury to regular No.1 Robert Sanchez.
    He played in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at Everton before keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United at the weekend.
    Now he appears to be a firm fan favourite after his exploits ahead of his crucial penalty save from Ritchie were spotted.
    Just as the winger was preparing to run up, Petrovic was spotted pointing to his right, indicating to Ritchie he knew he was going to go that way.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    However, the ex-Bournemouth man rifled his left-footed effort high in the opposite direction, and with the goalie also lunging that way, the stopper produced a great save.
    “Just look at the mind games from Chelsea GK Djordje Petrovic before making the match-winning penalty save against Newcastle,” highlighted one account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
    Another wrote: “You can just tell that Petrovic is going to have an amazing career at Chelsea — we only paid £14m for him too, what a bargain.”
    A third commented: “High pens are tough to stop. This guy is really good.
    “Djordje Petrovic is a very good goalkeeper.”
    While another declared that he was “my new Blue hero”.
    However, Petrovic’s penalty save came as no shock to one supporter.
    Another one added: “Petrovic had saved five penalties in 48 matches with the New England Revolution. No surprise he came up big for Chelsea.” More

  • in

    Yob confronts Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka after running on pitch from Chelsea end following last gasp goal

    A FAN ran on to the pitch and confronted Martin Dubravka in shocking scenes at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on Kieran Trippier’s blunder to slot in a 92nd-minute equaliser in the Carabao Cup quarter-final after Callum Wilson’s opener.
    A fan goaded Martin Dubravka after the Chelsea equaliserCredit: Alamy
    The supporter was swiftly removed from the pitchCredit: Alamy
    That prompted wild scenes in West London as supporters celebrated their side grabbing a draw – prompting a penalty shootout.
    But in the aftermath of the goal, one idiot inexplicably jumped over the advertising hoardings at the front of the Matthew Harding Stand which houses home fans.
    After breaking free from the clutches of a steward, he then went up to Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka and clashed with the Slovakian, goading him by celebrating in his face.
    The man bumped into the shot-stopper before immediately turning and running back past the steward and into the home end.
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    Play was able to resume quickly as tensions boiled over at the end of the game.
    There was another flashpoint in injury time as Bruno Guimaraes put in a wild tackle on Ian Maatsen – before Mudryk furiously ran in and appeared to grab the Toon midfielder by the throat.
    Referee Jarred Gillett blew for full-time moments later, taking the game to penalties.
    But before the shootout got underway, the official was filmed in deep conversation with stewards – although it is unclear if that was related to the supporter incident.
    Most read in Football
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    The penalties were then taken in front of the Shed End where the travelling Newcastle supporters were.
    Chelsea scored all four of their spot-kicks while Trippier missed before Dorde Petrovic made a flying save to deny Matt Ritchie and seal victory for the Blues.
    It means Mauricio Pochettino’s side are into the semi-finals – as are Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough and Fulham.
    The Cottagers also needed penalties to get past Everton at Goodison Park, helped by a woeful effort by Amadou Onana, to reach the last four of the League Cup for the very first time.
    But Sky Sports News viewers were left furious with the broadcaster when the channel suddenly cut to a commercial breaking DURING the shootout – and then returned once it was all over.
    The fourth quarter-final between Liverpool and West Ham takes place at Anfield tomorrow night.
    Mykhailo Mudryk capitalised on Kieran Trippier’s error to equaliseCredit: Reuters
    Djordje Petrovic produced a flying save to send Chelsea into the semisCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Chelsea 1 Newcastle 1 (4-2 pens): Trippier nightmare run continues as he gifts Blues late equaliser and misses penalty

    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.
    READ MORE CHELSEA
    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.
    Most read in Football
    Newcastle were dead on their feet long before Trippier’s late cock up sent a pulsating match to penalties.
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    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.
    Read more on The Sun
    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

  • in

    Carabao Cup set to make TV history next season with huge change that will see EVERY match shown live

    EVERTON, Fulham, Port Vale and Middlesbrough fans were left frustrated with Sky Sports only showing Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Newcastle.This is because Sky can only show two live matches per round with Liverpool’s tie with West Ham the other live game to be screened.
    Fans can expect some major changes to the Carabao Cup coverageCredit: Rex
    But all that will change next season as part of the EFL’s huge £935million, five-year deal with Sky.
    A total of 1,059 EFL matches are set to be broadcast and that will include all 93 Carabao Cup matches, from the first round to the final.
    Incredibly, each 127 EFL Trophy matches will be shown.
    But the other big difference will be the huge number of EFL games each weekend, with five from the Championship and five from League One and League Two.
    Read More on Football
    But those worried that the schedules will go haywire in a desperate attempt to stage all the matches at different times should not fear.
    SunSport can reveal that the current plan is that the vast majority of live EFL matches next season will all be staged at 12.30pm on a Saturday.
    This means lots of games will all be shown at exactly the same time.
    There will be Friday evening and Sunday afternoon slots on occasions, just like there is now.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    But after much thought, the EFL are extremely unlikely to have Saturday and Sunday evening matches, which would be hugely unpopular with travelling fans.
    Everton are set to host Fulham at Goodison Park tonight following a stunning run of form in the Premier League despite the Toffees’ recent 10-point deduction.
    And Port Vale will be looking to carry on their Cinderella Story against Middlesbrough at Vale Park. More

  • in

    Does Carabao Cup quarter-final have extra-time or go straight to penalties after 90 minutes if draw?

    WE have entered the final stages of the Carabao Cup and there is always one question on the front of everyone’s mind.Is there extra time and penalties if the match ends all square after 90 minutes?
    Manchester United beat Newcastle in the final last season
    Will the EFL Cup quarter-final go to extra-time and penalties if needed?
    If the score-line is level after 90 minutes, the match will go straight to penalties.
    Extra time and penalties are only used in the Carabao Cup semi-final and finals.
    When did a match last go straight to penalties?
    Everton’s thrilling match against Premier League rivals went to penalties on Tuesday, December 19 where the Cottagers won 7-6.
    And on the same night, Chelsea beat Newcastle 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes.
    What happened in the final last year?
    Manchester United broke Newcastle hearts by beating them 2-0 at Wembley. More

  • in

    When is Carabao Cup semi-final draw? Stream FREE, TV channel, teams and ball numbers as final four find out fate

    WE are quickly approaching the tail end of this season’s Carabao Cup as there will only be FOUR teams left in the draw.The trophy will certainly be heading to a new home after holders Manchester United were knocked out by Newcastle in the round of 16.
    Last season’s holders Manchester United are out of the competitionCredit: Rex
    And you can almost bank on the next group of winners being a Premier League side as it is guaranteed that three of the four semi-finalists play their football in England’s top division.
    However, this competition is known for being full of surprises and SunSport has all the information on who can make it all the way.
    When is the Carabao Cup semi-final draw?

    The Carabao Cup semi-final draw will take place on Wednesday, December 20.
    It is expected to get underway immediately after Liverpool’s quarter-final tie against West Ham which kicks-off at 8pm GMT.
    Only four teams will progress to the semi-final of the competition.

    What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

    The Carabao Cup semi-final draw will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football in the UK.
    Fans can also stream the entire action through NOW TV.
    Alternatively, follow SunSport’s live blog to see who is paired in the draw as it is announced.

    Read more on Carabao Cup
    Can I watch the Carabao Cup semi-final draw for FREE?
    YES!
    The Carabao Cup semi-final draw will be shown on Sky Sports Football’s official YouTube channel for FREE.
    What teams can qualify for the semi-final?
    Below are the teams who remain in the competition:

    Most read in Football
    Ball numbers will be revealed on the day of the draw More