Ki’s extra-time winner sends Chelsea out
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 1 (After extra time)
Ki sung-Yueng’s goal two minutes from the end of extra time sent Chelsea out of the Capital One Cup.
They were on the verge of the semi-finals before former Chelsea man Fabio Borini netted an 88th-minute equaliser, firing through the legs of David Luiz after Jozy Altidore had burst into the box and around keeper Mark Schwarzer.
And Borini, on as a substitute, played a part in the winner by teeing up Ki, who evaded Michael Essien’s challenge and slotted home from 10 yards out.
Lee Cattermole’s own goal 38 seconds into the second half looked like taking Chelsea through.
Goal-line technology, being used in the League Cup for the first time, was needed to confirm the ball had crossed the line after Cattermole’s attempt to stop Frank Lampard tucking away Cesar Azpilicueta’s low cross at the far post.
The goal was initially awarded to Lampard but replays suggested the Sunderland midfielder got the final touch.
It brought the game to life after an uninspiring first half in which the Black Cats had appeals for a penalty waved away when Andrea Dossena’s cross struck the upper part of Azpilicueta’s arm.
Chelsea’s best opportunity of the half came nine minutes before the interval.
Having got himself into a great position, Andre Schurrle should have shot but instead played the ball to Willian, who dragged an effort harmlessly wide.
The Blues eventually did take the lead and Samuel Eto’o should have doubled it but steered the ball wide after being inadvertently put through by a misplaced pass from Sunderland’s Craig Gardner.
Chelsea, who lost Azpilicueta to injury on 69 minutes, were left to rue Eto’o’s miss when Borini levelled.
And Gary Cahill needed to produce a superb last-ditch challenge to prevent the Italian scoring again in the final seconds of normal time.
After the restart, Luiz’s volley was pushed away by keeper Vito Mannone before Borini missed a decent opportunity to put Sunderland ahead, his scuffed shot ending up in the side netting.
Gus Poyet’s men came on strong as their opponents faded, and Schwarzer pulled off a brilliant save to keep out Ki’s header but could do nothing about the South Korean’s decisive finish five minutes later.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer; Azpilicueta (Essien 69), Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; De Bruyne, Willian, Schurrle (Hazard 83); Eto’o (Ba 74).
Subs not used: Blackman, Terry, Oscar, Torres.
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