Carling Cup: Newcastle knock
Chelsea out after late winner
Newcastle ended Chelsea’s unbeaten run this season after knocking the League champions out of the Carling Cup with a late winner at
Stamford Bridge to win 4-3.
It was the home side that started better in the cup tie. Yuri Zhirkov produced a left-footed shot from just outside the box that went wide of the goal. The early pressure paid off; from Gael Kakuta‘s pass, Patrick Van Aanholt
found the back of the net from inside the penalty area. It was Chelsea 1-0
Newcastle.
Newcastle continued to press on despite going behind. A long range shot resulted in a corner. Ryan Taylor sent in a dangerous outswinging corner but Anelka cleared it competently.
As Chelsea broke from the break, Alan Smith gave away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Yossi Benayoun. Paulo Ferreira stepped up to take the direct free kick which ended straight in the keeper’s
hands.
Newcastle though continued to build on slowly, and a long range effort from Shola Ameobi went whistling past the left post of the
Newcastle goal.
The away side though still continued to give away needless free kicks. Fabricio Coloccini gave away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Sturridge, but Yossi Benayoun’s free kick was hit straight at the wall.
Moments later Jeffrey Bruma conceded a free kick on the other end for a foul on Shola Ameobi. Alan Smith took the free kick and the ball was swung in for Nile Ranger, who latched onto it and after controlling it well side
footed it to the bottom right corner of the goal. It was all level now.
The free kicks continued to come in this heated contest, and this time it was an unfair challenge on Shola Ameobi by Jeffrey Bruma that resulted in a free kick for
Newcastle. Ryan Taylor curled in the free kick beautifully over the wall and found the back of the net.
Newcastle had taken a shock lead and the first half ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
The second half started with the same intensity as the first one ended.
Chelsea looked too eager to get goals while Newcastle looked the more settled side.
Within minutes of the restart, Shola Ameobi got on the score sheet with a goal from outside the area. His brilliant 20-yard strike found the bottom right corner of the goal. The
Stamford Bridge home crowd was in shock while the small contingency of travelling supporters was creating havoc. It was
Chelsea 1-3 Newcastle.
The Blues continued to fight hard, and the strong headed Alan Smith gave away a free kick for a reckless challenge on Daniel Sturridge. Sturridge’s strike however was tame and straight at the
Newcastle keeper.
Joshua McEachran was next in line to take a shot following a well crafted move from
Chelsea, but once again Krul gathered the ball easily.
Newcastle by then had realized that they did not need to go in search of goals anymore and could sit back and absorb the pressure. But the Blues came hard at them. With most of the Magpies back in their own box,
Nicolas Anelka still found space in the box and scored a goal from inside the box. It was game on again as
Chelsea were closing in on Newcastle.
The home side had the bit between their teeth by then, and it was one attack after the other. With just three minutes remaining, it looked as if
Newcastle had shot themselves in the foot when Anelka was brought down in the box. The Frenchman got up and scored from the penalty spot to make it 3-3. Extra time looked certain but one more twist was yet to come.
Right in the final minute of regular time,
Newcastle got a corner. Jonas Gutierrez fired in the corner for Shola Ameobi, who made space inside the box and found the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. It was dramatic stuff; stuff that fairytales are made of. The rampant
Chelsea side failed at the first hurdle of the Carling Cup after losing to the far less fancied Newcastle United. Their dream of the quadruple is already over while
Newcastle make it to the 5th round of Carling Cup, ending
Chelsea’s unbeaten run in all competitions on the way.
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