Chelsea battled past Newcastle United to reach the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, scoring a stoppage-time equaliser before winning on penalties, while Fulham are into the final four of the competition for the first time ever after winning their own shootout against Everton.
Callum Wilson capitalised on a horrible defensive error from Benoit Badiashile to give Newcastle an early lead against Chelsea, but Kieran Trippier repaid the favour at the death to gift Mykhailo Mudryk a dramatic leveller in a 1-1 draw.
Trippier’s nightmare continued as he missed his penalty in the shootout, and Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who was making only his second start for the club, then saved Matt Ritchie’s spot-kick to give the Blues a 4-2 victory.
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 19, 2023
Meanwhile, Fulham also drew 1-1 before winning on penalties.
After taking the lead through a Michael Keane own goal, the Cottagers conceded a late equaliser scored by Beto, but they triumphed 7-6 in an enthralling shootout, with defender Tosin Adarabioyo scoring the winner.
How Chelsea v Newcastle unfolded
Conor Gallagher was inches away from giving Chelsea a seventh-minute lead, hitting the crossbar from outside the box. But the Blues then shot themselves in the foot with a catalogue of errors in the 15th minute.
A loose pass went to Wilson, whose chances of scoring still seemed slim as he embarked on a solo run from his own half against two centre-backs in Thiago Silva and Badiashile.
But the Newcastle striker was able to bundle his way past Thiago Silva and, while Badiashile got himself between Wilson and the ball in the box, the Frenchman then lost the ball between his own legs and gifted his opponent a 46th Newcastle goal in his 100th appearance for the club.
The goal came against the run of play, and Chelsea were on top for the rest of the match, just trying to find a killer touch.
Raheem Sterling’s low effort from the left side of the box went narrowly wide of the far post, and a minute later his goalbound strike 10 yards out was blocked on the line by Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle suffered yet another injury blow as Anthony Gordon limped off in the 51st minute, and then survived scares as Nicolas Jackson shot just wide and Martin Dubravka got down to save Sterling’s low shot.
Mauricio Pochettino turned to Christopher Nkunku, introducing the Frenchman for his Chelsea debut, but it took a defensive error for his side to get their late equaliser.
In the second minute of stoppage time, an awkward right-wing cross bounced up above Trippier beyond the far post, and his attempt to head the ball back to Dubravka lacked power, allowing Mudryk to steal in and finish into the bottom-right corner.
It put extra pressure on Trippier’s shoulders when he stepped up to take Newcastle’s second penalty, and he fired wide of the left post. Chelsea went 4-2 up in the shootout, meaning Ritchie had to convert for Newcastle, but Petrovic dived to his left to save and send the Blues into the semi-finals.
See: Chelsea report and line-up
See: Newcastle report and line-up
How Everton v Fulham unfolded
Chances were at a premium in the first half, but Fulham took the lead in the 41st minute as Antonee Robinson’s cross hit Keane and deflected into the net for an own goal.
Fulham lost the influential Willian to a head injury shortly after the hour-mark. And, although they nearly went 2-0 up as Alex Iwobi was denied by Jordan Pickford, they conceded an equaliser in the 82nd minute.
James Garner scuffed his shot but it bounced up nicely for substitute Beto, who headed in at close range.
As the tie went to penalties, Amadou Onana had the chance to make it 5-3 and secure victory for Everton, but Bernd Leno saved. Then, at 6-6, Idrissa Gueye hit the post and Tosin kept his cool to find the bottom-right corner, securing a piece of history for Fulham.
See: Everton report and line-up
See: Fulham report and line-up
Liverpool host West Ham United in another all-Premier League tie on Wednesday, and one of the top flight’s semi-finalists will face Championship side Middlesbrough in the last four, after they beat League One side Port Vale 3-0.
The semi-final draw will take place after Liverpool face West Ham.