Chelsea were knocked out of the League Cup at the hands of Newcastle United on Wednesday evening and will feel they really let themselves down. Both goals Chelsea conceded were down to defensive mishaps, so Enzo Maresca will be disappointed.
Chelsea have won at least one League Cup in every decade for the last 30 years – 1997/98, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2014/15 – so they would fancied going all the way this year. The Blues have fallen short in the last-16, however, and only have themselves to blame.
Chelsea looked at odds in defence
Chelsea beat Newcastle in the Premier League just days before their League Cup meeting, but it couldn’t have been more contrasting this time round.
The Magpies took the lead in the 23rd minute through Alexander Isak, but it was a gift from the visitors. Renato Veiga lost the ball under pressure as Chelsea tried to play out of the back.
Joelinton forced him to make the error sand Sandro Tonali fed put Isak through on goal. The Swedish international finished past Filip Jørgensen despite being charged down.
And minutes later, Newcastle made it 2-0 through an Axel Disasi own goal. Isak whipped in a cross that was deflected and flicked on by Chris Willock. Disasi was running back towards his own goal, and the momentum saw him bundle the ball into his own net.
Missed chances cost Chelsea
Chelsea had a great opportunity to halve the deficit when Joao Felix was put through one-on-one, but his effort was blocked by Lloyd Kelly.
Before the half was up, Newcastle had a chance to put the game beyond doubt when Willock had the goal gaping following a counter-attack, but he didn’t connect and missed the target.
Felix posed the biggest threat and spurned a chance to pull a goal back in the second half. He was put through on goal by Adarabioyo but chipped his effort wide of the post.
Newcastle hit the post with a fierce low effort from William Osula after he worked an opening on the end of the box. The Magpies didn’t rue the missed opportunities and ran out deserved winners.
