Eddie Howe has put the block of any plans for a Christmas party because of the fixture schedule. His Newcastle players probably don’t feel much like celebrating anyway, even if a second cup exit in six days has freed space in the calendar.
After the late heartache of the controversial penalty at Paris Saint-Saint Germain that ultimately proved costly in the Champions League, here was another dagger in the chest right at the death.
The Magpies were two minutes from a first-ever away victory in a League Cup quarter-final when Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on a mistake by Kieran Trippier, whose header teed up the Ukrainian just a few yards from goal.
Trippier’s head was duly scrambled and it was no surprise when he missed in the penalty shootout. Chelsea, by contrast, were buoyed by their escape and scored all four spot-kicks before Djordje Petrovic saved Matt Ritchie’s effort.
And how Mauricio Pochettino needed that, for the home crowd were ready to turn as their team ran out of steam and ideas in the second half.
Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic celebrates after saving Matt Ritchie’s penalty in the shoot-out at Stamford Bridge
The Blues won 4-2 on penalties against Newcastle, with Ritchie seeing his effort from the spot kept out by Petrovic
Petrovic is congratulated by his jubilant Chelsea team-mates following his save from Ritchie in the penalty shootout
The Argentine will need to deliver on a trophy before they are convinced, and this now is a wonderful opportunity given Middlesbrough and Fulham were the evening’s other winners.
That will intensify the regret for Howe, too. This has been a bruising December for him and his team, literally and metaphorically. Premier League defeats at Everton and Tottenham were followed by a home loss against AC Milan, when they crashed out of the Champions League and overshot the safe landing of the Europa League.
And now this, exiting a competition Howe admitted was their best chance of silverware. There is mitigation – injuries and bans and cup ties in which they always draw No.13.
They’d beaten both Manchester clubs to get this far and then there was the Champions League Group of Death that proved a killer.
Callum Wilson had put Newcastle ahead in the 16th minute of the game but his side were unable to hold on to the leadd
A late equaliser from substitute Mykhailo Mudryk sent the game to penalties, with Chelsea going on to prevail
It was a hugely frustrating night for Kieran Trippier, who made an error for the goal and also missed in the shootout
Oh, and they’ve got Sunderland to come in the FA Cup third round. All of a sudden, crossing the Tyne feels as much like swimming the Channel, given the ever-increasing magnitude of the fixture.
Without Europe and the Carabao Cup, darkness would descend on Newcastle’s season if all went wrong at the Stadium of Light. That remains unlikely, of course.
They are more than good enough to beat Sunderland, evidenced by the spirit of a performance here in which captain Jamaal Lascelles was a colossus at the back.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is jubilant as he celebrates with his players after the penalty shootout victory
Christopher Nkunku made his long-awaited debut for Chelsea and was amongst the scorers in the penalty shootout
It was a hugely positive night for Mudryk who managed to score in the shootout in addition to his late equaliser
Trippier is consoled by his Newcastle team-mates after his miss in the penalty shootout during the Carabao Cup clash
This was also one of VAR’s better games. It was not in use, you see. And so when Moises Caicedo ran his studs down the back of Anthony Gordon’s calf inside 90 seconds – Jarred Gillett showed a yellow card – those privy to a replay waited for a VAR referral that was never coming.
Gary Neville quickly returned his one-word verdict, ’Red’. But without the technology, the Chelsea midfielder survived.
It was the same just before half-time when Chelsea’s Levi Colwill landed his studs on the shin of Emil Krafth. Again, Stockley Park would have surely advised red. Colwill, however, was not even booked.
Only when it’s not there do we perhaps appreciate VAR more.
Not that the pair being on the pitch did Chelsea any favours when, from Colwill’s errant pass to Caicedo, Newcastle broke through Calum Wilson and scored on 16 minutes. They were not the only players in blue left with a red face.
Mudryk, on as a substitute, sent the game to penalties when he scored with an impressive finish in the closing stages
Wilson demonstrated impressive composure to put Newcastle in front in the 16th minute during the Carabao Cup clash
Thiago Silva could have tackled the Newcastle striker but did not.
Benoit Badiashile did tackle but then gave the ball straight back to Wilson, who clipped gratefully past Djordje Petrovic from eight yards. It was a calamitous concession, especially given Wilson had twice lost control of the ball.
From that point, however, Chelsea took control of the half. They had 80 per cent possession before the break and that showed itself in chances for Cole Palmer, whose blast was saved, and Raheem Sterling, whose close-range steer was blocked on the line by Bruno Guimaraes.
But Newcastle were comfortable as the second half wore on. The introduction of Chelsea debutant Christopher Nkunku – back after four months out with a knee injury – raised the Stamford Bridge roof at a time when the team had fallen flat. Still, it was Trippier who saved their skin as much as anyone in blue.
