Chelsea will host Newcastle United in an all-Premier League clash in the EFL Cup quarterfinal. The Blues easily defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-0 to secure a spot in the round of eight. They will face the Magpies, who ruthlessly defeated Manchester United 3-0 to extract retribution.
Preview (Chelsea vs. Newcastle United)
When Sheffield United visited Chelsea this past weekend, hoping to drive out the ghosts of their losses to Everton and Manchester United, the Blues faithful were treated to a little bit of festive happiness as Chelsea gradually rebuilt the walls of the Stamford Bridge castle. The West London Titans needed some time to break through the resilient Blades’ defense. After 54 minutes, Cole Palmer broke through the visitors’ defense. He set up Nicolas Jackson for what might be the easiest goal of his career. The victory moved the Blues up to 10th place in the standings.
Results on Sunday might force Pochettino’s team back into the bottom half of the rankings. Chelsea will put depressing ideas of midtable mediocrity out of their minds on Tuesday. Chelsea has advanced past AFC Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Blackburn in the English capital. They enjoying the luxury of playing all three matches at home thus far. Chelsea should also feel encouraged by the fact that the Blues have won their last four EFL Cup quarterfinal matches. Given the frightening attacking ability of the Cottagers over the last few weeks, Newcastle United may have been a little nervous going into their match against Fulham on Saturday. After their devastating elimination from the European football league, the team’s infirmary was overflowing and morale was dangerously low.
But the Magpies clicked following the right dismissal of Raul Jimenez for slamming into Sean Longstaff’s face from a height. Lewis Miley, a 17-year-old protégé, scored his first goal as a professional before Dan Burn and Miguel Almiron joined in. Eddie Howe’s team overcame a dismal three-game losing streak with a simple victory over Marco Silva’s 10 men.
Team News
Following his recovery from a problematic knee injury, French forward Christopher Nkunku made his Stamford Bridge debut this past weekend, giving Chelsea supporters their first look at him in the dugout. This week could mark Nkunku’s eagerly anticipated debut. But none of the following will be involved for the hosts: Romeo Lavia (ankle) shouldn’t earn his Blues baptism here, nor will Wesley Fofana (knee), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Lessley Ugochukwu (unspecified), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Reece James (hamstring), Marc Cucurella (ankle), Robert Sanchez (knee), or Noni Madueke (muscle).
Pochettino’s audacious move to sit Enzo Fernandez paid off over the weekend, but the Argentine should now be among the few players being evaluated for recall, along with the healthy-again Malo Gusto and Argentina’s Andrés Broja. While Newcastle’s never-ending fitness problems continue to plague Howe and co., Chelsea did not add any more injury victims to their long list over the weekend. A further evaluation of Alexander Isak (groin) and Kieran Trippier (unspecified) will also be necessary before to the quarterfinal. Lewis Hall, who plays for Chelsea, will not be available due to his inability to play for his parent club.
Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United
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