Written by lawrenced
Chelsea and Newcastle created a quite sensational piece of 3rd round carling cup action on Wednesday evening at Stamford Bridge. Seven goals were scored in total with Newcastle victorious after a late Ameobi ending an intriguing game of back and forth.
The Carling cup was the only domestic cup Chelsea failed to win last year and they will have entered tonight’s match with a confidence gained from their impeccable start to this year’s proceedings. The Blues home record against Newcastle says it all- Newcastle hadn’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1986. Yet this was not to be a game that stuck to the script.
Both teams had been highly altered from the weekends exploits, Chelsea only keeping Ramires from the 4-0 Victory over Blackpool. Newcastle gave Sol Campbell his most competitive start for the club so far.
Chelsea dominated for much of the first twenty minutes and were first to strike, after just 6 minutes, with a goal from Van Aanolt. A weak clearance from Krul was slid forward for the Dutchman to slot it in. This was followed by twenty minutes of scrappy toing and froing Newcastle drew level with an acrobatic effort from Ranger after a perfect pull back by Shane Ferguson on the 27th minute. Newcastle continued their dominance and made it show on the 32nd minute after an amazing free kick from Taylor span and curled beyond the grasp of Turnbull. Taylor was lucky to be on the field not long after, committing a clumsy foul on Van Aanolt . At half time John Terry and Gael Kakuta were replaced with Kalou and Alex in a bid from Ancelotti to spice things up going forward.
Newcastle now dominating secured their resurgence not long into the second half with a cracker from Ameobi, on 49 minutes, who ran at the back treading Chelsea defence before unleashing a powerful long range effort that found the back of the net. Ameobi embodied an industrious spirit that was found throughout this Newcastle team for most of the second half.
Newcastle bounded forward again coming close to securing victory twice through Lovenkrands and Ameobi. With Benayoun off injured the ten man Chelsea looked slightly ragged. Yet now it was their turn to bounce back. With twenty minutes to go Anelka skilfully slotted home a Yuri Zhirkov’ cross. Chelsea’s comeback was completed shortly after on the 86th minute when Alex softly went down under minimal contact from Tiote in the box, and Phil Dowd awarded a penalty, calmly put away by Anelka. Three all and extra time looked certain to extend this incident packed and highly entertaining encounter. As Chelsea rushed forward again it looked as though Stamford Bridge would retain its fortress status. Alas the final twist was to fall to the industrious Newcastle as on the 90th minute Ameobi rose high to meet a corner and glance it in t secure a historic win for the Toons and end a classic cup encounter.
Chelsea will be disappointed to end their chance of sweeping the trophy board and retaining their winning streak. Although Ancelotti was quick to dismiss the importance of this competition, stating it is a chance for young players and not much else- sour grapes perhaps? They played well in a game that could have gone either way, and fashioned a spirited comeback before losing. Chelsea now look forward to Saturday’s big game away to Man City Kalou, Kakuta and Benyaoun all doubtful after sustaining injuries in this game.
Is the Carling Cup unimportant to a club like Chelsea? Is that just a poor excuse? are cracks starting to appear in the Chelsea Behemoth? comments are very welcome!
