Newcastle United 2-0 Chelsea, League Cup: Post-match reaction, ratings
Yesterday at 05:36 PM
No more Carabao in our cup
A fully rotated Chelsea XI took on a half-rotated Newcastle XI after Sunday's Premier League contest in the League Cup tonight, and it were the hosts came out the blocks better, looking to make up for their defeat at the Bridge.
There was an early let off for the Blues when Joelinton inexplicably hit the post with the goal gaping, but we were finding it difficult to deal with Newcastle's enthusiastic pressing. And as often seen and even more often feared, we would be the architects of our own downfall, turning the ball over in a horrendous area to gift the easiest of chances to Alexander Isak, then doubling our deficit with some equally horrendous defending that led to Axel Disasi putting the ball into his own net.
Chelsea weren't completely unthreatening, but we were hugely wasteful when opportunities came our way. And that was doubly true when we missed a whole host of excellent chances in the opening minutes of the second half as we tried to get back into the game — Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku especially guilty of some highly frustrating misses.
Newcastle had posed a bit of threat on the counter (and set pieces), but they were largely focused on weathering the Chelsea storm, and once they did, it was largely smooth sailing for them for the final 20-25 minutes of the contest. Maresca opted against making too many changes, presumably saving those legs for the weekend and seeing if the "B" teamers could get it done. Evidently, no.
So, Newcastle advance to the quarterfinals, we go out in the 4th round for the fifth time in the last ten years.
Carefree.
- Not a good audition for most the "B" team
- First time we've failed to score in 14 games, since the opening match of the season
- Newcastle defenders absolute shot magnets with countless blocks
- Disasi at right back, with neither James nor Gusto in the squad even
- Newcastle led 2-0 at the half on 1 shot on target
- Next up: Manchester United (and presumably their new manager) away on Saturday
- KTBFFH
