NUFC player ratings vs Chelsea – A few 8s, several 7s, a few 5s and 6s, one 4 and a 3

Another heartbreaking end to the game for Newcastle, who conceded late at Chelsea before losing the shootout to miss out on a place in the cup semi-finals. Here come the ratings…

Martin Dubravka – 7.5 – Thought he did well. Strong from crosses, made a few really smart saves and was composed all night. Maybe caught a little cold for the Trippier error, but it was an awful attempt to head the ball back. Such a shame for him. Didn’t get near a penalty in the shoutout, with Petrovic the hero instead.

Emil Krafth – 7 – Rock solid in the first half, often getting the better of Raheem Sterling and winning most of his duels despite being in the wars. Got forward well on occasion, too. Forced off at half time with a slight niggle after Colwill stamped on his shin. Hopefully he’s OK.

Jamaal Lascelles – 8.5* – Man mountain performance on the night. Won everything in the and was an absolute rock at the back for us. Looked comfortable with Botman beside him and then Burn. Quality leader and really solid showing. So unfortunate not to get a clean sheet.

Sven Botman – 7 – Calm and composed first half showing, where he read the play well and rarely broke sweat. Taken off at half time as a pre-planned change. Good to see him back after three months out.

Tino Livramento – 8 – Brilliant defensive display and a really good outlet from the back with his pace and dribbling skills. Our signing of the summer for me.

Bruno Guimaraes – 7.5 – Made an unbelievable block in the first half and celebrated it like a goal. Covered so much ground, won free kicks and had a couple of classy moments on the ball, although some of his distribution to the front three could’ve been better. Despatched his penalty with ease and was always rallying his troops.

Sean Longstaff – 6 – Bit of a bystander in the game, despite all of his efforts. Didn’t offer much in possession but worked so hard off the ball to limit Chelsea’s chances. Unbelievable shift.

Lewis Miley – 7 – Another extremely mature performance from the young man. Showed moments of brilliance on the ball and was good in the tackle. Looked shattered near the end.

Miguel Almiron – 4 – Trippier aside, he was our worst performer on the night, for me. Just couldn’t hold onto the ball and wasted so many chances to keep possession. As ever, he worked hard and was full of running in both directions, but his decision making, sloppiness and lack of right foot was hard to watch at times. Another player who is knackered, with us unable to rotate while Murphy it out?

Callum Wilson – 6 – Took his goal beautifully but offered very little other than that. Starved of service all night and was fighting on scraps against Chelsea’s monster back four. Clinical penalty in the shootout, just struggled to hold the ball up when we needed him to in the second half.

Anthony Gordon – 5 – Victim of a cowardly challenge by Caicedo early on that should’ve been a red. Had a few chances to break through on goal but missed his opportunity. Seems to be lacking sharpness and carrying a few knocks. Hopefully fit for the weekend.

Substitutes:

Dan Burn – 7 – Defended well and definitely looks more comfortable at centre back.

Matt Ritchie – 5 – Put a huge shift in but offered no outlet going forward. Missed his penalty to send us out.

Kieran Trippier – 3 – Dear oh dear. Came on at half time for the injured Krafth. Was steady up until the 91st minute when disaster struck. On any other day he clears it up field but decided to try and head it back to Dubravka; an odd moment of indecision that cost us dearly. To make things worse, he smashed his penalty wide in the shootout which was the beginning of the end. Disaster and will be devastated.