Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 3 Chelsea 3 (4-3 on pens): Kakuta flops as Robinson saves day
Teenage prospect Gael Kakuta could be forgiven for wondering what he let himself in for when he agreed to join Chelsea after his fledgling career in English football suffered another bewildering twist at Ewood Park.[LNB]The 18-year-old's arrival from Lens two years ago caused such a rumpus that Chelsea were hit with a 16-month transfer ban that was subsequently suspended on appeal.[LNB]If that brought him unwanted attention when he made his Chelsea debut as a substitute against Wolves, he found himself under the spotlight again as adramatic Carling Cup quarter-final reached a nail-biting conclusion.[LNB] Nice one son: Blackburn players celebrate with Paul Robinson after their penalty-shoot out win over Chelsea[LNB] [LNB]An equaliser by Paulo Ferreira with the last kick of extra timeforced a penalty shootout that was finely balanced when Kakuta steppedforward for a kick he had to convert to keep Chelsea in it.[LNB]Althoughhe hit his left-footed effort with power, the Chelsea youngster wasleft holding his head in despair after directing his shot too close toPaul Robinson and seeing the Blackburn keeper save.[LNB]WhileBlackburn's jubilant players rushed to mob Robinson, Chelsea keeperHenrique Hilario did his best to console the visibly upset Kakuta.[LNB]Chelseahad started brightly enough, but they went behind in the ninth minutewhen Pascal Chimbonda reached the bye-line on the left and cut the ballback for Nikola Kalinic to slot home from close range.[LNB]Sensinghis side lacked a cutting edge, manager Carlo Ancelotti sent on DidierDrogba at the start of the second half and saw it pay instant dividendsas the Chelsea striker rose at the near post to power a header pastRobinson from Florent Malouda's 48th-minute cross.[LNB] Disappointment: Gael Kakuta looks back after missing his crucial penalty at Ewood Park[LNB] [LNB]There was anequally familiar look about the goal that put Chelsea in front fourminutes later, Salomon Kalou latching on to a through-ball from YuriZhirkov and keeping his cool to sidefoot past the advancing Robinson.[LNB]ButChelsea let slip their advantage as Hilario, distracted by Kalinic'sleap in front of him, allowed Brett Emerton's cross to sail past himfor a 64th-minute equaliser and they were trailing when Zhirkov fouledsubstitute David Hoilett for Benni McCarthy to convert a nerveless93rd-minute penalty.[LNB]They earned a reprieve when Ferreira forcedhome Malouda's 120th-minute free-kick, but it was to prove short-livedas Robinson had the final say at Kakuta's expense.[LNB]Ancelottirevealed that he nominated Kakuta to take the all-important fifthpenalty in a remarkable admission that underlined the ruthless side tohis nature.[LNB] The late late show: Paulo Ferreira is mobbed by team-mates after scoring Chelsea's third goal at Ewood Park[LNB]It looked a daunting task for a teenage newcomer toEnglish football but the Italian coach brushed aside suggestions thatKakuta had volunteered to step into the breach, saying: 'No, that wasdown to me. I put him forward to take the kick. I chose him for thefifth penalty.[LNB]'I had seen him on the training ground andappreciated how good he is at taking penalties. He kicks a goodpenalty, so I had no concerns about asking him to do it.[LNB]'I have noregrets about the line-up I put out here because we looked at ourpriorities and realised they were in our Premier League games. Anyway,I would describe this as a strong team.[LNB] On the spot: Benni McCarthy celebrates after scoring a penalty for Blackburn in extra time[LNB] [LNB]'The first half was notso good because we didn't take enough determination out on to the pitchwith us. But after losing Salomon Kalou through injury we showed greatspirit with 10 men against 11 and a good mentality. When you considerthe young boys out there, this is good for the future.[LNB]'Kalouinjured his leg but I am not sure how long he will be out. I thoughtthe young boys who went on in the second half did well and Kakutashould not worry about his penalty because he showed he has very goodquality and can play an important part at this club.'[LNB]WhileAncelotti must have some concerns about how Kakuta might cope with suchan ordeal, he my be just as deterred by the way his side were given anominous warning.[LNB] Tough battle: Joe Cole controls the ball under pressure from Morten Gamst Pedersen at Ewood Park[LNB] [LNB]The Chelsea manager believes he has theresources needed to cope with the loss of key players to the Africa Cupof Nations after assessing the strength of his squad and concluding hehas good cover.[LNB]He may have to think again after making sevenchanges to the starting line-up that saw off Arsenal and seeing a sidestill packed with pedigree and know-how hustled out of their stride andrightly denied a place in the semi-finals.[LNB]The way a lionheartedbut limited Blackburn side came back from 2-1 down and proved toostrong for Chelsea until the last kick of extra time should fillManchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with confidence in hisbattle to prevent the BarclaysPremier League title heading back to Stamford Bridge.[LNB] Perfect start: Nikola Kalinic fires Blackburn ahead early on at Ewood Park[LNB] [LNB]Afterabsorbing the shock of going behind so early, Chelsea hit back afterhalf-time when Drogba revelled in his unlikely role of substitute, andKalou showed his customary composure in front of goal.[LNB]But theywere slowly but surely hustled out of their stride by Blackburn'saggressive, direct style and, although Ferreira made the most dramaticof contributions in the final seconds of the added half-hour, Robinsonsnatched the glory for Rovers.[LNB]So Blackburn head for a semi-finalwith Aston Villa, the perfect tonic for boss Sam Allardyce as herecuperates after heart surgery.[LNB] CARLING CUP: All Wednesday's quarter-final drama as it happenedCarling Cup semi-final draw: Manchester City land Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers to play Aston Villa [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Pascal Chimbonda, Sam Allardyce, Benni McCarthy, Carlo Ancelotti, Yuri Zhirkov, Alex Ferguson, Joe Cole, Paul RobinsonPlaces:Ewood Park
