Hazard missed penalty, Chelsea eliminated from League Cup

Stoke City drew 1-1 with Chelsea in 120 minutes of regulation time, then beat their opponents 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Mourinho talks to Hazard in extra time. Photo: Reuters.

Jose Mourinho and his students continued their streak of poor results as they continued to be defeated by weaker opponents. Chelsea soon became former League Cup champions when they were eliminated in the fourth round, despite fielding their strongest lineup.

Jon Walters opened the scoring for Stoke early in the second half. In injury time, Chelsea revived their hopes of progressing thanks to Loic Remy's valuable equaliser. The Blues now had the advantage of excitement after the equaliser plus playing with one more man when Bardsley received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Against the resilient home team, Chelsea could not take advantage of those advantages to end the match in extra time. Entering the penalty shootout, players from both sides successfully took the kick until the 10th person. Eden Hazard could not beat goalkeeper Jack Butland, causing Chelsea to lose 4-5.

It was Chelsea's eighth defeat in 16 games this season. Stoke City fans made fun of Jose Mourinho when Walters opened the scoring and when Butland became the hero when he saved Hazard's penalty. "Sack him tomorrow morning" were the home fans' shouts.

Mourinho is at great risk of losing his job if he fails to improve Chelsea's results. British media reported that the Portuguese strategist will have to pack up and leave London if he loses to Liverpool this weekend.

Mourinho's disappointment. Photo: Reuters.

Chelsea, despite losing, showed very positive traits in their playing style. The London team showed no signs of giving up the League Cup to focus on other fronts. The proof was that Mourinho used all his best players in the match against Stoke. The away team controlled 60% of the time, fired 24 shots, nine of which were on target.

Chelsea dominated the home team for most of the game. The visitors showed no signs of crisis as they played confidently in the first half. The players in blue passed the ball confidently and constantly tormented the Stoke defense with flexible movements.

Stoke held out against Chelsea's attacks thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper Butland. In the first 60 minutes alone, Butland made three quality saves, twice to frustrate Diego Costa and once to deny Oscar.

The fighting spirit of Chelsea players in extra time also proved that their students did not want to "kick the chair" of the Portuguese coach.

But Chelsea's situation at this point, the result is the most important thing.

Stoke City's joy at reaching the quarter-finals. Photo: Reuters.

According to VNE