LONDON: Chelsea advanced to the quarter-finals of the League Cup thanks to their third penalty shootout success of the season.

Reece James netted the penalty that sealed Chelsea’s 4-3 victory against Southampton in the shootout at Stamford Bridge. The game was tied 1-1 through 90 minutes on Tuesday after Kai Havertz’s header for Chelsea just before half-time was cancelled out by Che Adams’ tap-in two minutes into the second half.

But Southampton saw Theo Walcott’s penalty saved by goalkeeper Kepa Arriz­abalaga and Will Smallbone shoot over, while visiting goalkeeper Fraser Forster denied only Mason Mount.

Thomas Tuchel’s Premier League leaders had reached the fourth round by beating Aston Villa on penalties, having also started the season by winning the UEFA Super Cup in a shootout against Villarreal in August.

Arsenal had a smother path into the quarter-finals, beating Leeds United 2-0 in another all-Premier League encounter in London at Emirates Stadium.

Calum Chambers opened the scoring in the 55th minute, 23 seconds after coming on as a substitute. The defender’s header looked to have been saved by Illan Meslier but goal-line technology ruled that the ball had crossed the line.

The Gunners’ second came in the 69th from a poor header back by Liam Cooper which left Meslier stranded as Eddie Nketiah rounded the keeper and his mis-hit shot from a tight angle just rolled into the corner.

League One side Sunderland are also into the quarter-finals as they beat Queen’s Park Rangers 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Loftus Road.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2021