Chelsea’s Carabao Cup run faced an abrupt halt as they suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
Also Read: EFL Cup Match Report! Newcastle United vs Chelsea Match Updates, News and Score (30th October, 2024)
The damage was inflicted in the first half, primarily due to glaring defensive errors from the Blues’ backline, which included Benoit Badiashile, Renato Veiga, and Axel Disasi. These mistakes proved costly, leading to Chelsea’s early exit from the tournament.
The match began with Newcastle applying early pressure, as Joelinton struck the post from close range.
Shortly after, Alexander Isak opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a mistake from Chelsea’s defense that saw Badiashile and Veiga caught out.
Just three minutes later, Disasi compounded the visitors’ woes by scoring an own goal, bundling the ball into his own net following a free-kick that caught Chelsea napping.
Enzo Maresca made 11 changes from the lineup that secured a win against Newcastle just days prior, which ultimately proved detrimental to his team’s performance.
The Italian coach struggled tactically, as his players failed to adapt to Newcastle’s pressing style, leading to a deserved defeat.
As the players received their ratings, it was clear where Chelsea fell short. Filip Jorgensen, starting in goal, was rated 5/10 for his shaky performance, unable to prevent the goals.
Defenders Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile faced heavy criticism for their poor play, with Badiashile receiving a lowly score of 3/10 for his errant passing and crucial mistakes.
On the other hand, Marc Cucurella stood out with a 7/10 for his tireless efforts, creating several scoring opportunities despite the loss.
In midfield, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struggled to make an impact, earning a mere 4/10, while Enzo Fernandez and Renato Veiga were rated at 5/10 for their lack of influence in the game.
In attack, Joao Felix emerged as a rare positive for Chelsea, scoring a 7/10 for his dynamic runs and threatening presence, although he squandered a golden opportunity late in the game.
Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk both received 6/10 for their efforts, though they failed to capitalize on their chances.
On the bench, Noni Madueke made a noteworthy impact after being introduced, earning a 7/10 for his contributions.
Enzo Maresca, however, was rated 5/10, facing criticism for failing to adapt his tactical approach as Chelsea struggled to break free from Newcastle’s relentless pressure.
With the Carabao Cup behind them, Chelsea must regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their upcoming Premier League fixtures.
The disappointing exit serves as a wake-up call for Maresca and his squad to address their defensive frailties and improve their overall cohesion on the pitch.
