A lively night under the lights at The Bridge sees us advance into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, courtesy of a late Mudryk leveler, and a superb Dorde Petrovic save to seal the win on penalties.
Is this the night it changes? Is it another false start? Time will tell, but for now we can enjoy the feel-good factor that we’ve been given.
Djordje Petrovic – 8
An 8 due to his penalty heroics, I’d feel harsh giving less. He didn’t have anything at all to do bar a late save from a Miguel Almiron shot, and his distribution was sound enough. If you want to make a name for yourself, he’s done just that tonight.
Axel Disasi – 5
It feels harsh with a low rating but I find Disasi difficult to watch at right back, though that’s no real fault of his own. He’s been relatively sound all season, but the right back role isn’t one for him, and I suspect Gusto will be back there now he’s fit again.
Thiago Silva – 7
A solid night from an experienced head. 4 tackles, over 100 passes completed, and bar a contribution to Newcastle’s mess of a goal, he was great.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
For me, tonight was probably Badiashile’s poorest showing in a Chelsea shirt. His mistake for Wilson’s goal appeared to haunt him through the entire game and he never once looked as assured on the ball as he normally is. Hopefully it’s just an off night, though.
Levi Colwill – 4
Taken off at half-time, I’m unsure whether due to an injury or a tactical call, but tonight wasn’t pretty for Colwill either. His poor pass started the sequence of events that led to Wilson’s goal, and I’m still not totally convinced I like seeing him as a left back.
Moises Caicedo – 8
Superb, absolutely superb. After picking up a really poor yellow card just a few minutes in, Caicedo was faultless throughout. 139 touches, 115 completed passes, 7 from 12 ground duels won and 4 tackles made. A stellar job from our record signing.
Enzo Fernandez – N/A
Substituted early due to illness, and therefore no real opportunity to judge his performance.
Conor Gallagher – 7
Another hugely positive night for Gallagher rounded with a brilliant penalty in the shootout. His liveliness will always offer us something in midfield and I just thought tonight he was really solid. As per usual, involving himself in 12 ground duels – he rarely stops!
Cole Palmer – 6
Tonight I found Palmer to be really quiet, which is unlike him. Just the 72 touches of the ball and nothing really created through him when we were crying out for a moment of quality late in the game. With his youth, there will always be inconsistency, and that’s fine.
Raheem Sterling – 5
Hot and cold, hit and miss. It truly is the story of Raheem Sterling’s season and tonight was a cold one. Unable to really get us going, and he overhit his pass on a glorious chance to lay it on a plate for Nkunku to get his first goal.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
A night with signs again but not quite the goal. Jackson will get there, I do have confidence of that, but his inconsistency will continue to cause frustration when we’re still struggling to score enough goals in games.
Mauricio Pochettino – 6
Still making decisions that I’m not a fan of, but we’ve pulled through and that might buy him a few more backers. Here’s hoping the semi-finals will be a good draw and he has the chance to win a trophy in February.
Armando Broja – 5
Very poor, with a lack of involvement in the game. He screams “needs a loan” and I hope he gets that in January.
Malo Gusto – 7
I thought Gusto was superb tonight when he came on, with a big involvement in the game and his late cross leading to Trippier’s mistake. Very glad he’s back, that’s for sure.
Christopher Nkunku – 6
It feels so good to write his name. An okay cameo, nothing special but that’s fine, in time he’ll hit the heights we know he can get to. Special mention for his penalty though, utterly flawless.
Ian Maatsen – N/A
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
Saved us late on, got involved with the game in general and took his penalty really well. Could you ask for much more tonight?
Twitter – @Chelsh31
