Around 5,200 fans were at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night to witness a quite remarkable game in the EFL Trophy.
A Chelsea U23 side – including senior stars Kurt Zouma and Marco van Ginkel – looked to be heading for a simple 1-0 win over League One Oxford United thanks to Josimar Quintero’s first-half goal, but the game exploded into life in stoppage time.
Oxford levelled the scores in the 94th minute when Kane Hemmings poked home a low cross to set up a record-breaking penalty shootout, which Chelsea won 13-12 after 34 spot-kicks.
With each team taking 17 penalties each, many players stepped up twice in the epic shootout.
Van Ginkel hit the post with his first penalty, before scoring from his second.
Meanwhile, Zouma was on target with both of his efforts from 12 yards.
The hero of the shootout was Chelsea goalkeeper Bradley Collins, who saved four Oxford pens.
Collins scored Chelsea’s lucky 13th penalty goal – after missing with his first attempt – then decisively saved from Wes Thomas to seal victory.
Here’s the report from an entertaining evening for our development squad at the Bridge. #CFCDevhttps://t.co/hzWNc1I3Ae
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
EFL Trophy group games that end as ties are settled by shootouts, with the winner taking two points and the loser one.
The 34-kick contest set a new record for the longest shootout in an English tournament, beating the previous record of 32, which had been held jointly by August’s 14-13 win for Derby County over Carlisle United and a 2014 FA Cup tie that ended: Worcester City 13-14 Scunthorpe United.
Fans in attendance will of course remember this match for its incredible conclusion, but Chelsea supporters will have also been delighted to see defender Zouma get through 90 minutes.
Here’s @KurtZouma on his return to action at Stamford Bridge. Our development squad currently lead Oxford thanks to Josimar Quintero’s goal. pic.twitter.com/nXaiyDoVHR
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
Zouma moved a step closer to his first-team return on Tuesday evening.
The France international had not played for the Blues since February because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
And his comeback was almost marred by a new injury scare as the 22-year-old went down after a clash of heads.
Pictures: Chelsea injury scare as Kurt Zouma suffers blow to face against Oxford United #CFC https://t.co/LF8jgLLBJd pic.twitter.com/3tLXoY05j7
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) November 8, 2016
Fans were momentarily worried when Zouma hit the floor holding his head.
Fortunately, though, Zouma was able to continue and looked classy throughout the evening at the heart of Chelsea’s defence in a 3-4-3 formation.
Here’s @KurtZouma on his return to action at Stamford Bridge. Our development squad currently lead Oxford thanks to Josimar Quintero’s goal. pic.twitter.com/nXaiyDoVHR
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
Chelsea XI: Bradley Collins; Joseph Colley, Kurt Zouma, Fankaty Dabo; Reece James (Josh Grant, 72), Mukhtar Ali, Josimar Quintero, Ola Aina; Marco van Ginkel, Ike Ugbo, Mason Mount (Jacob Maddox, 90).
Subs (unused): Isaac Christie-Davies, Kyle Scott, Harvey St Clair, Jamie Cumming, Martell Taylor-Crossdale.
Marco van Ginkel has been unlucky not to score so far tonight, having struck the post and fired inches wide of the post. #CFCDev pic.twitter.com/rFB4LwYttM
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
Van Ginkel was lively all game.
