Amidst a disappointing season, Chelsea breathed a sigh of relief as they emerged victorious against Newcastle United in the EFL quarter-final, securing a 4-2 win on penalties. Mykhailo Mudryk played a pivotal role, stepping up for the Blues with his inspirational injury-time strike, which forced the match into a penalty shootout.
While, for Newcastle, their star right-back Kieran Trippier continues to struggle with recent form, committing errors that paved the way for Chelsea to stage a late comeback and ultimately win the match. Chelsea’s hero, Mykhailo Mudryk extended an uplifting message to Trippier following the victory.
Mykhailo Mudryk comforts Kieran Trippier
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea hosted Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The visitors took an early lead with a 1-0 advantage, courtesy of English striker Callum Wilson’s goal in the 16th minute of the first half, which notably also came from a mistake by Chelsea’s defense.
Eddie Howe’s side was on the verge of bouncing back from their heart-breaking Champions League exit, with moments away from advancing to the next round of the domestic cup. However, an error by Newcastle skipper Kieran Trippier in the box allowed the Ukrainian winger to salvage his side from elimination.
Chelsea’s relentless wave of attacks to overcome the single-goal deficit forced the English international defender to commit an error while attempting to play the ball back to the goalkeeper. The mistake led to set up Mykhailo Mudryk’s equalizer, and the fixture ultimately went to penalties.
In addition, Kieran Trippier missed a crucial penalty in the shootout, further adding to his already unpleasant evening. Meanwhile, the Blues remained clinical, converting all their spot-kicks and advancing in the competition.
Post-Match Mudryk posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram to show support for the Newcastle star. He wrote, “Kieran, I just want to say to you: stay strong. Sometimes, challenges happen, but I believe you are a resilient footballer, no matter what.”
Mykhailo Mudryk talks on Chelsea’s performance this season
Ever since the American consortium led by Todd Boehly & Clearlake Capital took over back in May 2022, the club has spent over €1 billion in the transfer market. Despite a £418 million transfer expenditure on acquisitions such as Moises Caicedo, Endo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Wesley Fofana, alongside the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t been able to deliver the desired outcomes. They missed out on European football last season following a 12th-place finish in the EPL, and this season is no different.
After yesterday’s Carabao Cup victory over the Magpies, the Ukrainian midfielder opened up about the club’s performance and assured that the team is heading in the right direction in building for the future.
He said, “We are going in the right direction. We just have to trust in the process, the manager, and each other. We are building a really strong team. Sometimes to create something big you need time”.
Given the Blues have been dealing with a list of injured players, it has left a depleted squad at the disposal of Pochettino, prompting the need for additional signings in the coming transfer window. Nonetheless, progress to the EFL Cup Semi-final has undoubtedly brought new hope for the club and its fans.
