Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (4-2 on pens): Kieran Trippier endures a NIGHTMARE as his late error gifts Blues equaliser before England defender misses penalty in Carabao Cup quarter-final shootout
Eddie Howe has blocked all plans for a Christmas party due to the fixture schedule. His Newcastle players probably won't feel much like celebrating anyway, even though a second cup exit in six days has freed up time on the calendar.
After the late grief over the controversial penalty at Paris Saint-Saint-Germain, which ultimately proved costly in the Champions League, a dagger was stabbed in the chest again shortly after death.
The Magpies were two minutes away from a first-ever away win in a League Cup quarter-final when Mykhailo Mudryk pounced on an error from Kieran Trippier, whose header found the Ukrainian just yards from goal.
Trippier's head was in quite a mess and it was no surprise when he missed the penalty shootout. Chelsea, on the other hand, were buoyed by their breakaway, scoring all four penalties before Djordje Petrovic saved Matt Ritchie's effort.
And how Mauricio Pochettino needed that, as the home crowd were ready to turn when their team ran out of strength and ideas in the second half.
Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic celebrates after saving Matt Ritchie's penalty in the shoot-out at Stamford Bridge
The Blues won 4-2 on penalties against Newcastle, with Ritchie's effort from the spot saved by Petrovic
Petrovic is congratulated by his jubilant Chelsea teammates after his save from Ritchie in the penalty shootout
The Argentinian will have to surrender a trophy before he is convinced, and now is a great opportunity as Middlesbrough and Fulham were the other winners on the night.
That will also increase Howe's regret. This was a tough December for him and his team, literally and figuratively. Premier League defeats to Everton and Tottenham were followed by a home defeat to AC Milan as they crashed out of the Champions League and overstepped the safe landing mark of the Europa League.
And now this: leaving a match that Howe admitted was their best chance for success. There has been mitigation: injuries and bans and cup matches in which they always play number 13.
They had beaten both Manchester clubs to get this far and then there was the Champions League Group of Death which proved to be a killer.
Callum Wilson had given Newcastle the lead in the 16th minute of the match, but his side were unable to hold on to their lead.
A late equalizer from substitute Mykhailo Mudryk sent the match to penalties, with Chelsea gaining the upper hand
It was a hugely frustrating evening for Kieran Trippier, who made a mistake for the goal and also missed in the shootout
Oh, and they have Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup. Suddenly crossing the Tyne feels as much as swimming the Channel, given the ever-increasing scale of the race.
Without Europe and the Carabao Cup, darkness would descend on Newcastle's season if everything went wrong at the Stadium of Light. That, of course, remains unlikely.
They are more than good enough to beat Sunderland, evidenced by the spirit of a performance here in which captain Jamaal Lascelles was a colossus at the back.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is jubilant as he celebrates with his players after the penalty shootout victory
Christopher Nkunku made his long-awaited debut for Chelsea and was among the scorers in the penalty shootout
It was a hugely positive evening for Mudryk, who in addition to his late equalizer also managed to score in the shootout
Trippier is consoled by his Newcastle teammates after his penalty shootout miss during the Carabao Cup match
This was also one of the VAR's better games. It wasn't in use, you see. And so when Moises Caicedo ran his studs down the back of Anthony Gordon's calf inside 90 seconds (Jarred Gillett showed a yellow card) those aware of a replay waited for a VAR referral that would never come.
Gary Neville quickly responded with his one-word verdict: “Red.” But without the technology, the Chelsea midfielder survived.
The same thing happened just before half-time when Chelsea's Levi Colwill landed his studs on Emil Krafth's shin. Again, Stockley Park would certainly have advised red. However, Colwill wasn't even booked.
Only when it is not there may we appreciate VAR more.
Not that the pair on the pitch did Chelsea any favors when, following Colwill's errant pass to Caicedo, Newcastle broke through Calum Wilson to score after 16 minutes. They weren't the only players in blue with a red face.
Mudryk, coming on as a substitute, sent the match to penalties when he scored with an impressive finish in the closing stages
Wilson showed impressive composure to put Newcastle ahead in the 16th minute of the Carabao Cup match
Thiago Silva could have tackled the Newcastle striker, but didn't.
Benoit Badiashile did tackle, but then immediately gave the ball back to Wilson, who gratefully skimmed past Djordje Petrovic from eight meters. It was a disastrous concession, especially as Wilson had lost control of the ball twice.
However, from that moment on Chelsea took control of the half. They had 80 percent of the ball before half-time and that was reflected in chances for Cole Palmer, whose shot was saved, and Raheem Sterling, whose steer from close range was blocked on the line by Bruno Guimaraes.
But Newcastle felt comfortable as the second half progressed. The introduction of Chelsea debutant Christopher Nkunku – back after four months away with a knee injury – raised the roof of Stamford Bridge at a time when the team had fallen flat. Yet it was Trippier who saved their skin as much as anyone in blue.