Source: Team_Talk
Carlo concerned about injury worries
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti admits he is more concerned about injuries to three players than he is by their Carling Cup exit to Newcastle.[LNB] Gael Kakuta, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou all suffered setbacks at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.[LNB]A last-minute goal from Shola Ameobi earned Newcastle a place in the fourth round in a seven-goal thriller in west London.[LNB]But the loss of two key players and a talented youngster were uppermost in the mind of the Italian coach ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.[LNB]Kakuta was replaced at half-time after a tackle by Ryan Taylor left the France youngster suffering with a back problem while Kalou and Benayoun pulled up with thigh and calf injuries respectively.[LNB]Ancelotti confirmed that both Benayoun, who went off after all three substitutions had been made, and Kalou would miss the game against Manchester City.[LNB]"Kakuta had a problem on his leg after the tackle in first half while Benayoun's injury is his calf and Kalou hurt his thigh," said Ancelotti.[LNB]"We will know more soon but they don't look good. The will miss the next few games.[LNB]"These things can happen in football. It was a strong tackle on Kakuta and he was unlucky. The problem with his back is from the fall."[LNB]Ancelotti was at odds with Newcastle bench when the Italian waved an imaginary card at referee Phil Dowd in a bid to get Taylor sent off in the second-half.[LNB]"I tried because this is football," he joked. "Maybe it is the last time I do this. I was excited because the match was very good. We were 3-1 down with 10 men and I was excited by this but I showed respect for everyone.[LNB]"I am disappointed with the result but happy with the performance. We had a fantastic reaction when down 3-1 and it was 10 against 11.[LNB]"There was good spirit and personality from the young players. The game was very difficult but at the end we are happy for the performance of our players.[LNB]"The Carling Cup is not our priority. We have a very big game this weekend. We wanted to give opportunity to our young players to improve their skills and rest some of first team players. I am not so disappointed.[LNB]"We did our best. I am disappointed for the result because we conceded four goals, but the performance was good."[LNB]Chelsea went ahead in the second minute through young left-back Patrick van Aanholt only for United to storm back and lead at the interval thanks to goals from Nile Ranger and Taylor.[LNB]Ameobi made it 3-1 to United four minutes after the re-start but two goals from Nicolas Anelka (69, 86pen) looked to have taken the tie into extra-time.[LNB]However, Ameobi headed the winner from a Gutierrez corner in the 90th minute.[LNB]Newcastle boss Chris Hughton insisted he never saw any untoward actions from Ancelotti and was, not surprisingly, delighted by the performance of his players.[LNB]He was disappointed with the penalty award when Alex went down under the challenge of substitute Cheik Tiote.[LNB]"We showed great character and great finishing to get back in the game," said Hughton. "But I never saw anything from Ancelotti.[LNB]"The equaliser for them to get back 3-3 was the softest penalty you will ever see and it got them back in the game. Fortunately, it was us that stopped the game going to extra-time.[LNB]"I didn't think it was a penalty. That is an understatement. It disappointed me because at that stage we hang on and win 3-2. If we had not got the winner and it had gone to extra-time, it would have been a travesty.[LNB]"This was a game that most people felt we couldn't win irrespective of what side they put out.[LNB]"It speaks volumes for the players in the changing room. Hopefully it will give us the momentum to go into the next few games."[LNB]But Hughton held back special praise for two-goal hero Ameobi.[LNB]"Shola showed why he is still at this football club," added Hughton.[LNB]"He has had periods at the club where injuries have hindered his progress. That was the case last season. But on this form he is top player."
