Martin Dubravka was shocked to see a fan in his face on the field

Chelsea fan runs onto the pitch and barges Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka

19 Dec 2023, 22:17 by Phil Haigh · Metro

A Chelsea fan ran onto the pitch and got physical with Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka as he celebrated Mykhailo Mudryk’s late goal in moronic fashion.

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Mudryk scored a stoppage time equaliser for the home team at Stamford Bridge, an age after Callum Wilson had put Newcastle ahead 16 minutes into the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

The game finished 1-1 and went to penalties and it was Chelsea who progressed to the semi-finals after Kieran Trippier fired wide and Matt Ritchie saw his spot-kick superbly saved by Djordje Petrovic.

It was an ugly scene after the Mudryk goal, though, as a supporter very easily evaded a steward and ran up to Dubravka, celebrated in his face and made contract with the goalkeeper.

The Slovakia international stayed calm but he looked back at the steward nearby quizzically as the fan jumped back over the advertising hoardings and into the stands.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino said of the incident: ‘I think we need to be careful, the fans need to be careful. I do not like this type of thing because it’s a thing that can put players in danger.

‘I am disappointed and do not agree with this type of thing that happens in football, here at Stamford Bridge and other stadiums in England and around the world. I am always so disappointed with this type of thing because it is so dangerous. I hope it doesn’t happen again.’

Mykhaylo Mudryk celebrated with Christopher Nkunku, who finally made his Chelsea debut (Picture: Getty Images)

It was a terrible few minutes for Newcastle late in the game as they went from one foot in the semi-finals to out of the competition in a matter of moments.

Eddie Howe’s side were pretty comfortable as they neared the final whistle a goal ahead, but a mistake from Trippier in his own penalty area handed a golden chance to Mudryk, which he took well.

Trippier’s nightmare evening continued as he blasted his spot-kick wide in the shootout, before Petrovic was the hero for the Blues with a stunning, flying save from Ritchie.

‘I don’t feel pressure because they need to score and I can be the hero,’ said the 24-year-old keeper. ‘I just did my job. I lost twice in a shootout here in England before.’

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