Chelsea advances after shoot-out

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Chelsea advances after shoot-out

Chelsea have made a hard progress into the fourth term of the Carling Cup after ousting local rivals Fulham 4-3 on penalties, following a scoreless draw which saw the Blues go down to ten shortly after the half time.

Villas Boas’s side survived a big scare when Alex was sent off early in the second half for a tough challenge which earned the visitors a penalty Kasami missed in what could have been Fulham’s winner. Martin Jol’s side were also the first to put pressure on Turnbull goal 20 minutes in the first term. Frei started a personal action the finish of which was blocked by Alex at the death.

Ruiz then beat his marks to feed free Sa inside the box from where the latter one struck it standswards. Chelsea were denied a goal in the 38^th minute when McEachran’s action was converted home by Sturridge whose finish was disallowed for offside. The same McEachrean then developed yet another dangerous action.

The youngster played Lampard in good position who also played Kalou in front of the goal. Unfortunately for the hosts, the Ivorian’s shot reached the side netting in what should have been a much more difficult test for keeper Schwarzer. The half time went scoreless, but the game was still open to any result.

Three minutes into the second part, Frei was crashed by both Ferreira and Alex as the referee showed the white spot for Fulham who were thus given the biggest chance to break through. Alex was sent off but Kasami hit the bar to the dismay of coach Martin Jol who was expecting a big surprise from his new side.

Sa got yet another big chance in the 50^th minute when the striker was denied by newly arrived Romeu who blocked the Fulham player in a clean manner. Florent Malouda tried his luck with a dangerous shot from the edge of the box to which keeper Scwarzer was equal. John Terry, who was introduced shortly after the break, saved his side from a potential disaster in the 72^nd minute when Frei picked Baird whose finish was blocked at the death by the Chelsea defender.

Meanwhile, Turnbull replaced injured Petr Cech as the newly introduced managed to keep the sheet clean until the end. Fulham missed a golden chance one minute later through Briggs, whose cross was deflected by Terry towards the own goal only to be saved by a vigilant Turnbull in what could have been an own goal.

Schwarzer provided a providential save in the 75^th minute when Terry’s header was blocked by the keeper following a perfect taken corner by Lampard. The first 90 minutes also went scoreless so the game was prolonged with 30 more minutes.

Three minutes before the final whistle Kalou mocked a huge chance as the Ivorian’s finish was blocked by Senderos. Just one minute later, Fulham got their last golden chance, too, through Sidwell whose dangerous volley went just wide.

The two sides converted all the penalties until the fifth one. Turnbull denied Tembele to propel his side through the fourth term in Carling Cup.

Said Turnbull after the game: “The lads were fantastic; it wasn’t just me making a save in a penalty shoot-out. The whole squad, the whole ethic of the team was brilliant. There was a fantastic spirit, a great bunch of lads and it was a difficult game playing with 10 men. It was a fantastic team effort.”

Chelsea – Petr Cech; Paulo Ferreira, David Luiz, Alex, R. Bertrand, O. Romeu, J. McEachran, F. Malouda, D. Sturridge, S. Kalou, R. Lukaku. Reserves: J. Mikel, J. Mata, D. Drogba, J. Terry, F. Lampard, J. Bosingwa, R. Turnbull.

Fulham – M. Schwarzer; C. Baird, S. Kelly, P. Senderos, Z. Grygera, P. Kasami, K. Frei, M. Gecov, M. Briggs, Orlando, B. Ruiz. Reserves: J. Riise, S. Sidwell, A. Kacaniklic, N. Etheridge, R. Halliche, M. Dembele, B. Zamora.

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