‘We will succeed, you will see’ – Pochettino relishing Chelsea challenge
Chelsea host Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals tonight as both Premier League teams look to secure their place in the final four.
Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, will be keen to succeed after a slow start to the season has left his side 10th in the table. Winning a trophy, such as the league cup, would ease some of the pressure on the manager and show that he is taking the Blues in a positive direction. Chelsea reached the last eight after wins over Brighton and Blackburn Rovers yet this match will be their most difficult test.
Like Pochettino, the next step for Eddie Howe and Newcastle’s development is to win some silverware. The Magpies came close last season but were defeated in the Carabao Cup final by Manchester United. This year, the North East team have dumped both Manchester clubs, City and United, out of the competition and look in decent form to, at least, repeat their feat of reaching the final.
Follow all the action from tonight’s clash below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
44 mins: Colwill strides forward and Chelsea try to work something between Palmer and Sterling on the edge of the box but Newcastle scramble it away.
Colwill doesn’t look comfortable and keeps stretching. I wonder if he might be subbed at half-time, with maybe Ian Maatsen coming on for him.
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:46
Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
42 mins: Newcastle’s best spell for a little while as Levi Colwill is forced to lunge to block a Gordon shot and Krafth then gets to the byline and cuts the ball back but it’s dealt with by the defence. Chelsea looked a little stretched for a moment.
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:43
Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
40 mins: Chelsea have had the better of this game and over 70 per cent possession but one mistake in this first half has been punished by Callum Wilson.
Emil Krafth goes down testing out his knee and Newcastle could really do without more injuries but he appears to be ok to continue.
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:42
NO GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
38 mins: Chelsea break and have the ball in the net but it’s rightly disallowed for offside.
It was a nice attack as they surged forward but Broka goes too early and although his dinked finish over Dubravka is nice, the flag goes up to deny him. No VAR to confirm of course this evening but replays show it was offside.
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:40
Carabao Cup latest scores
A couple of other quarter-finals this evening in the Carabao Cup, which have reached half-time.
A Michael Keane own goal sees Fulham leading Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park, while League 1 Port Vale’s superb run looks to be ending as they trail Championship Middlesbrough 2-0.
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:39
Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
33 mins: Appeals for a penalty from Chelsea! Sterling again involved as he gets into the box and goes down under a challenge from Jamaal Lascelles. Nothing doing says the referee and no VAR to take a look. Just looked like good, strong defending to be honest
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:35
Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
31 mins: Not what Chelsea wanted. Enzo Fernandez looks very uncomfortable and he gingerly walks off. Apparently it’s illness. Armando Broja on in his place
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:33
CHANCE! Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
29 mins: Now an even BIGGER chance for Chelsea and Raheem Sterling!
A cutback from the byline falls to Sterling in the centre of the box, he takes a touch to get it out from between his feet and fires goalwards but Guimaraes gets in front of Dubravka to make an unbelievable block (and keep his hands away from the ball!). As good as a save that. Sterling can’t believe it.
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:31
CHANCE! Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle
27 mins: A real opportunity for Raheem Sterling! He gets away from defenders down the left and bursts into the box. He tries to curl the ball beyond Dubravka into the far corner but not enough curl and it’s just wide. Dubravka may have had it covered but what a chance!
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:30
WATCH: Callum Wilson puts Newcastle ahead
Probably not one to watch if you’re a member of Benoit Badiashile’s family but here’s Callum Wilson’s goal. Lovely run and finish.
Luke Baker19 December 2023 20:29