Match Report: Chelsea 3 - 4 Newcastle United

Newcastle's Shola Ameobi sent 10-man Chelsea crashing out of the Carling Cup with a 90th-minute winner in a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, who lost Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun through injury, had taken a sixth-minute lead through young left-back Patrick Van Aanholt only for United to storm back and lead at the interval thanks to goals from Nile Ranger and Ryan Taylor.

Shola Ameobi made it 3-1 to United four minutes after the re-start but two goals from Nicolas Anelka (69, 86) looked to have taken the tie into extra-time.

However, Ameobi headed the winner from a Jonas Gutierrez corner in the 90th minute to earn United a deserved place in round four.

Chelsea made a dream start when left-back Van Aanholt crowned his full debut with a goal.

The left-back drilled an angled shot into the corner after being set up superbly by Gael Kakuta.

But Newcastle were level against the run of play in the 26th minute.

Shane Ferguson's left-wing cross caused problems in the Chelsea defence and when John Terry failed to clear, Ranger stole in on the blind side of Van Aanholt to level.

Ranger then squandered a great chance to put Newcastle 2-1 in front on the half-hour.

Great work by Gutierrez on the left saw him deliver a low cross into the Chelsea six-yard box but the ball spun off the foot of Ranger to the relief of home fans.

Chelsea centre-half Jeffrey Bruma was lucky to escape with just a yellow card for a foul on Ameobi in the 32nd minute as Newcastle continued to dominate.

Taylor punished Bruma and Chelsea for the foul when the Newcastle midfielder sent the ball around the wall and into the top corner.

Ameobi then caused more problems for Chelsea in the 35th minute but his angled shot was cleared off the line by Van Aanholt.

Taylor was lucky to remain on the pitch in the 40th minute when he brought down Van Aanholt but referee Phil Dowd opted to lecture him instead of producing a second yellow.

Chelsea made two changes at half-time with striker Kalou and defender Alex replacing Gael Kakuta and Terry.

But the changes had little time to take effect as United went further in front in the 49th minute.

Paulo Ferreira's pass went straight to the feet of Ameobi who ran on unchecked to fire a 25-yard drive beyond Ross Turnbull.

It was the first time Chelsea had conceded three goals at home since Manchester City's 4-2 demolition of the Blues in February.

The night got worse for Chelsea in 53rd minute when Kalou went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

The Ivory Coast striker was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by teenage midfielder Josh McEachran.

The youngster was quickly into the game and Tim Krul had to be alert to save his 20-yard shot in the 59th minute.

The misery continued for the Blues in the 62nd minute when Benayoun turned his ankle and was forced to leave the field.

It left the home side down to 10-men but still they battled on with Alex sending a 20-yard effort against the outside of the right-hand upright.

Chelsea reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Van Aanholt's cross was turned home by Anelka.

In the 82nd minute, a cross from Lovenkrands was met by Ranger at the far post but Turnbull saved at the second attempt.

It allowed Chelsea to sensationally equalize in the 86th minute when substitute Cheik Tiote was harshly adjudged to have fouled Alex and Anelka scored from the spot-kick.

Ferreira smashed an 88th minute volley against the upright as Chelsea looked for a winner.

But it was Newcastle who earned a place in the fourth round when Ameobi rose above Bruma to head the winner from a Gutierrez corner.

Two Chelsea Starlets Leave Drogba Drooling

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has praised the club’s latest batch of youngsters, suggesting the Carling Cup affords them the perfect opportunity to impress Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti. In particular, the Ivorian singled out Josh McEachran for special praise, intimating the 17-year-old Englishman has all the necessary credentials to become a first team regular at the club.

McEachran is widely considered to be the most promising of Chelsea’s emerging talent, having starred during the club’s Youth Cup triumph last season, and again for the England Under-17s in the recent European Championships.

Ancelotti is rumoured to have rejected several offers to take the starlet on loan during the summer, suggesting the club feels the former public schoolboy has the necessary credentials to make inroads into Chelsea’s first team this season.

Already a regular in the England Under-19 setup, Drogba claims the prodigious youngster, alongside the more established Gael Kakuta, is the finest prospect he has ever seen at the club.

Speaking ahead of their League Cup tie against Newcastle United, the towering forward told Chelsea TV: “These kind of games gives us a chance to see our young players who did well last year.

“It's good for them to have some minutes on the pitch and to see the difference between being a reserve and a Premier League player.

“They will improve and this game is going to be good for them.

He continued: “McEachran is one of the best midfielders I have seen since I have been here. Him and Kakuta are very good players.

“Gael won the European Under-19 Championships with France in the summer and is improving being with us.”

Injury Worries For Ancelotti

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti was more concerned with injuries to Gael Kakuta, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou than he was by their Carling Cup exit to Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

A last-minute goal from Shola Ameobi earned Newcastle a place in the fourth round in a seven-goal thriller in west London. But the loss of two key players and a talented youngster were uppermost in the mind of the Italian coach ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

''Kakuta had a problem on his leg after the tackle in first half while Benayoun's injury is his calf and Kalou hurt his thigh,'' said Ancelotti. ''We will know more on Thursday but they don't look good. The will miss the next few games.

''These things can happen in football. It was a strong tackle on Kakuta and he was unlucky. The problem with his back is from the fall.''

Ancelotti was at odds with the Newcastle bench when the Italian waved an imaginary card at referee Phil Dowd in a bid to get Taylor sent off in the second half.

''I tried because this is football,'' he joked. ''Maybe it is the last time I do this. I was excited because the match was very good. We were 3-1 down with 10 men and I was excited by this but I showed respect for everyone.

''I am disappointed with the result but happy with the performance. We had a fantastic reaction when down 3-1 and it was 10 against 11. There was good spirit and personality from the young players. The game was very difficult but at the end we are happy for the performance of our players.

''The Carling Cup is not our priority. We have a very big game this weekend. We wanted to give opportunity to our young players to improve their skills and rest some of first team players. I am not so disappointed.

''We did our best. I am disappointed for the result because we conceded four goals, but the performance was good.''

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton insisted he never saw any untoward actions from Ancelotti and was, not surprisingly, delighted by the performance of his players. He was disappointed with the penalty award when Alex went down under the challenge of substitute Cheik Tiote.

''We showed great character and great finishing to get back in the game,'' said Hughton. ''But I never saw anything from Ancelotti. The equalizer for them to get back 3-3 was the softest penalty you will ever see and it got them back in the game. Fortunately, it was us that stopped the game going to extra-time.

''I didn't think it was a penalty. That is an understatement. It disappointed me because at that stage we hang on and win 3-2. If we had not got the winner and it had gone to extra-time, it would have been a travesty.

''This was a game that most people felt we couldn't win irrespective of what side they put out. It speaks volumes for the players in the changing room. Hopefully it will give us the momentum to go into the next few games.''

Frank Lampard Could Miss Chelsea Trip To Manchester City After Breaking Down In Training

Frank Lampard is doubtful for Chelsea’s crunch Premier League trip to Manchester City after breaking down in training.

Lampard, who had hernia surgery at the start of the month, was originally pencilled in for the visit to West Ham 12 days ago but fears his return to action could now be delayed even longer.

He has aggravated his groin in training this week and told friends at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night that he faces a race against time to make the eagerly anticipated City clash.

The durable midfielder, who has been a virtual ever-present in the Chelsea starting line-up since joining the club in 2001, has now missed the Double winners’ last four games, as well as England’s two Euro 2012 qualifiers earlier this month, since limping out of Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Stoke on August 29.

His possible absence presents another headache for manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose team were reduced to 10 men in the second half of the 4-3 Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday after Salomon Kalou, Yossi Benayoun and Gael Kakuta all broke down.

Kalou was stretchered off with a thigh injury, Benayoun limped off with a calf injury while Kakuta was substituted at half-time with a back problem.

Ancelotti confirmed that Kalou and Benayoun were due to have scans this morning but are likely to miss “the next few games”.

If Lampard is absent against City, new £17 million midfielder Ramires, a disappointment against Newcastle, is likely to step into the breach once again.

Another alternative would have been to push Florent Malouda back into central midfield but Kalou’s absence means the Frenchman will probably be stationed on the left of a front three.

Italian Press: Ancelotti Makes Contact With "Kaka Argentino"

According to reports in Italy, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has made contact with Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore in an effort to lure the 21-year-old to London next summer.

The prodigiously gifted Argentina international was linked with a £40 million move to Manchester City a fortnight ago, and has in the past attracted the attentions of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but Sport Italia suggest Ancelotti has held informal talks with the Palermo star, who is said to be enthused by the prospect of a move to the Premier League champions.

Pastore, whose burgeoning reputation is reflected in the youngster’s tenuous nickname of “Kaka Argentino”, recently denied reports linking him with a move to Inter Milan but Sport Italia indicate the player could be available in the summer.

Ancelotti’s Serie A ties suggest Chelsea are the frontrunners, but Manchester City’s superior financial clout would enable Roberto Mancini to rival his Premier league counterpart given Palermo’s £40 million valuation.

Pastore was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United when he was a teenager plying his trade for Huracan, in the Argentinean Clausura, but at the time the midfielder was said to have a complex third ownership deal which is commonplace in South America, and it subsquently put Sir Alex Ferguson off pursuing the talented playmaker.

Chelsea Move For Real Madrid Medical Chief Carlos Diez

Chelsea have made an offer to Real Madrid chief of medical services Carlos Diez to make the switch to London, according to AS.

Diez has been in charge at the Bernabeu for two years and has helped stars such as Pepe back to full fitness after long-term injuries. His wealth of experience carrying out medicals and getting the 'Galacticos' in top shape has been pinpointed by the Blues as an area to improve their setup.

It is not yet known whether Diez is ready to move to the Premier League or what exact role he would take. Chelsea currently boast a staff of 15 medical and fitness staff.

Ancelotti Vows To Be Careful With Fitness Of Michael Essien

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has promised not to ask too much of Michael Essien after he spent last season on the sidelines.

Essien, 27, has been pivotal to the Blues' dominant start to their Premier League title defence. Despite his tremendous form, his knee still bears the scars of the ligament injury that wrecked his previous campaign.

Speaking to reporters, the Italian was eager to hand the Ghanaian a rest when he can. This is expected to start with last night's League Cup match against Newcastle United.

“We missed him last year. His injury was very bad for us," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by talkSPORT.

“His contribution was fantastic. We hope he stays fit he is like a new signing for us but he needs rest.”

Reaction: Disappointment But Few Regrets

There were mixed emotions for Carlo Ancelotti following tonight's exit from the Carling Cup.

The first emotion was disappointment, as we lost 4-3 to Newcastle inside Stamford Bridge, but the second was pride as he watched a 10-man Blues side battle back from 3-1 down to equalize.

'I am disappointed for the result, this is normal,' explained the Italian, 'but I am happy for the performance, absolutely happy.

'We had a fantastic reaction when we went down 3-1, playing 10 against 11.

'We showed good spirit, good personality, especially from the young players and this is good for us.

'This was a competition for the young players, they needed to have experience and they had a fantastic experience tonight.

'It was very difficult but at the end we can say that we are happy with the performance of our players and that's it.'

It was a testing night for Chelsea. Having put out a young side, Ancelotti then had to watch as Gael Kakuta, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou all picked up injuries.

'We had three problems,' said Ancelotti. 'Kakuta had a problem on his back, Benayoun on his calf and Kalou had a tight muscle.'

But even with that in mind, the Italian had no regrets about playing the side he did.

'This [Carling Cup] is not our priority, we have a very important game on the weekend and I wanted to rest some players.

'This was one reason. The second was because we wanted to give our young players an opportunity to improve.

'I am not so disappointed. We had the ability to look at players with a lot of character, this is good for us. In the future we can count on these players.

'I want to judge the match, not my players. We did our best. We are disappointed with the result obviously. We conceded four goals. But the performance was good.'

Another man who was quietly impressed by the comeback was Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton, who said: 'We had the best opportunities in the game to kill the game off but they came back.

'The equalizer was a soft penalty but at that stage we were heading for extra time. Both sides could have done without that and fortunately for us we stopped it.

'This speaks volumes for the changing room and the players I have in that changing room. Hopefully it will give us a momentum to go into the next few games,' added Hughton.