One remembers Shola Ameobi as a talented goalscorer before a series of injuries consigned him to the wilderness before he came back last season with some big goals that helped gain promotion for Newcastle. Well he is back and with a bang. Today, he scored two goals including a stoppage time winner against Chelsea in their Carling Cup fixture.
The Blues showcased their talent with Gael Kakuta, Jeffrey Bruma, Daniel Sturridge, and Patrick van Aanholt but they also had veterans John Terry, Nicholas Anelka, and Yossi Benayoun in their midst.
Chelsea’s youth brigade was responsible for giving their side the lead after Kakuta fed Van Aanholt following a Newcastle mix up and the Dutch defender came up a cool finish but it was old hand Anelka responsible for getting them back into the match. The Blues had to play with 10 men for over half an hour after injuries forced off Kakuta, Salomon Kalou, and Yossi Benyoun with John Terry already substituted in the beginning of the second half.
Nile Ranger, Ryan Taylor, and Ameobi scored three on the trot to put Newcastle up 3-1. Check out Taylor’s free kick which gave Ross Turnbull no chance. In stoppage time Ameobi attacked the near post after Jonas Gutierrez floated his corner and succeeded in guiding his header past Turnbull for a 4-3 win.
In summary, a depleted Chelsea side were just about pipped but lets take nothing away from the Toons. A wounded Chelsea without their best players are still better than half the Premiership sides.