Mykhailo Mudryk scored Chelsea’s late equaliser against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup (Picture: Getty)
Mykhailo Mudryk sent a classy message of support to crestfallen Newcastle star Kieran Trippier after he gifted Chelsea victory in last night Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Eddie Howe’s side, beaten finalists in this competition last season, looked on course for the semi-finals having protected their 16th minute lead until the fifth minute of injury-time.
Callum Wilson had put the visitors ahead after he profited from a ghastly error by Benoit Badiashile, but the Toon Army saw their dreams of another trip to Wembley go up in smoke after Trippier’s late loss of concentration.
The England international’s weak header allowed Mudryk to steal in and send the contest to a penalty shootout which saw Chelsea triumph 4-2.
Trippier’s misery was compounded by a miss from the spot and the experienced full-back, who was at fault for two goals in a recent defeat at Everton, looked distraught as Chelsea’s players celebrated Djordje Petrovic’s decisive save.
Mudryk, who followed his goal with a successful penalty conversion, noted Trippier’s reaction and offered his support on social media.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Kieran, I just wanna say to you: stay strong. Sometimes s**t happens but I think you are strong footballer, no matter what.’
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For Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, victory represented a huge boost after a series of disappointing Premier League results which has left his side marooned in mid-table mediocrity.
‘I am so pleased and the players deserve some credit,’ said Pochettino. ‘After conceding the way we did, we didn’t deserve to concede, it can affect any team. We reacted really well and dominated the game against a very good team like Newcastle.
‘Then we keep pushing in the second half and make some changes and of course, try to provide the team with some impact.
‘The most important in football is to believe until the end and that was possible because we keep believing and then always we know penalties are a lottery.
‘Of course, talent and quality. Of course, so pleased because our objective before the game was to go through to the semi-final.
‘We are in the semi-final and now we need to move on and wait tomorrow and then be focused and be ready for the next Premier League game.’
MORE : Anthony Gordon suffers ‘nasty looking knock’ as Newcastle lose on penalties to Chelsea
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