Chelsea, the 2014-2015 Capital One Cup champions, have fallen in the fourth-round in a cold rainy night at Britannia Stadium. Eden Hazard's form is tested once again as he missed the sudden death penalty which sends Stoke City into the quarter-finals. Although Phil Bardsley's second yellow left Chelsea on the upper hand, they could not capitalize in extra time.
Chelsea: Jose Mourinho delivers routine postgame interviews
Mourinho claimed Hazard to be the club's "best penalty taker" despite the Belgian captain being the only player to not score his shot from the spot. Mourinho went on to respond to criticism of the players not playing under him as manager:
"You think the players are not with me? You think the players did not give everything to win the game. I think that's sad."
This statement builds upon the continuous rumors that Mourinho could be sacked if he does not win against Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool this weekend in the Barclays Premier League.
Overall, Mourinho believed that the team "played very well" and that "in the first half it should be three or four nil" despite Diego Costa picking up an apparent rib injury.
"He is in the hospital. I don't know. I think he punched himself."
Mourinho is delighted about being able to rest after the match in the coming days.
"I have a day off tomorrow, fantastic family, I can sleep well."
Stoke City: Mark Hughes cheerful over win against former club
Stoke City did not win the statistical battle besides the final result, but that is the ultimate goal in competition.
"We showed a lot of courage and determination" stated Hughes, who was particularly glad of his team "sticking with it" regardless of Chelsea holding possession in their final third for most of the fixture.
The manager went on to praise 22 year old England International goalkeeper Jack Butland for his "magnificent" performance throughtout the match.
Hughes believes they deserved the win against the strong squad that Chelsea lined up. The second half is defined by Jonathan Walter's "fantastic strike" that opened up the scoring for the Potters.