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| Stoke celebrate beating Chelsea on penalties |
JOSE MOURINO’S position at Chelsea is looking even more bleak this morning after a determined Stoke knocked out the holders following a thrilling penalty shoot-out.
Loic Remy blasted home an equaliser in the 90th minute to give the beleaguered manager a valuable lifeline by taking the game into extra-time.
But Stoke keeper Jack Butland was the hero of the hour when he saved Eden Hazard’s high penalty shot to send the delighted home side through to the quarter-finals.
Butland had earlier pulled off several excellent saves in extra-time as Stoke were forced to withstand an onslaught after being reduced to 10 men when Phil Bardsley was dismissed for a second bookable offence at the end of normal time.
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| Jose Mourinho looks dejected after his side were knocked out the League Cup |
Mourinho cut a lonely figure rooted in his technical area after that strike, enduring cruel chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from delirious home fans.
The prospect of Mourinho walking out or being shoved towards the door now seems distinctly real.
Yet up to that point, Mourinho’s men had given him plenty of cause of optimism with a spirited display.
The Special One’s weekend meltdown during the defeat at West Ham left him facing a touchline ban after he confronted referee Jon Moss. The irony of having a referee called Kevin Friend last night surely could not have been lost on Mourinho.
He is not short of friends despite what he might think, though he was subjected to humorous chants of “You’re not ‘Special’ anymore!” as well as the taunts about the sack.
He was not without allies out on the pitch, where Hazard played like a man with a point to prove before that fateful penalty kick, while Oscar showed sublime skills early on.
Mourinho certainly wasn’t taking any liberties. The holders showed only three changes from the side which went down 2-1 to West Ham. No place for Cesc Fabregas, Cesar Azpilicueta had to settle for the bench, while Nemanja Matic is suspended.
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| Diego Costa limped off with a rib injury after 33 minutes |
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| Loic Remy scored late on to take the tie into extra-time |
Stoke welcomed back Ryan Shawcross for his first appearance of the season after recovering from back surgery.
And he showed he had lost none of his old combative spirit, whacking Hazard in the chest and flooring the Belgian.
Diego Costa lasted half an hour before having to go off with a rib injury sustained after Charlie Adam ran into him.
Through it all, Mourinho remained calm though he could not help but scramble from the dugout when Bardsley sent Costa flying with a hefty challenge and was booked.
But he saw his men continued their lively start, and only Butland’s legs stopped Oscar’s flick from giving them the lead. Glenn Whelan had to clear a Costa effort off the line and Butland denied Oscar but Stoke’s Marc Muniesa was unlucky with an overhead kick that dropped on the top of Asmir Begovic’s net.
Chelsea were floored by Walters’ stunner. He turned sharply before sending a dipping drive over Begovic and in off the bar.
But Chelsea were not to be denied and their pressure paid off when Remy rifled in a left-footed shot following a corner to take the tie into extra-time.
Chelsea pressed hard for the winner but Butland stood defiant before his shoot-out heroics piled yet more pressure on Mourinho.
STOKE: (4-2-3-1): Butland; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Muniesa (Wilson 49); Whelan, Affelay (Shaqiri); Walters (Odemwingie 90), Adam, Arnautovic; Diouf. Sent off: Bardsley.
Booked: Wilson.
Goal: Walters 52.
Next up: Newcastle (a), Sat PL.
CHELSEA: (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Baba (Kenedy 70); Ramires (Traore 80), Mikel; Wil- lian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa (Remi 33).
Booked: Baba.
Goal: Remi 90.
Next up: Liverpool (h), Sat PL.
Referee: K Friend (Leics).
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