(Football news) Chelsea continued their fantastic start to the season by progressing to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 4-3 win over Southampton on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Despite the obvious quality that Thomas Tuchel has at his disposal, the Blues could only create two clear cut chances in the first half as Saul Niguez was denied by Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster but Kai Havertz found the back of the net in the 44th minute with an excellent header from a Hakim Ziyech cross.

It was a game of two halves for Southampton who failed to create any meaningful opportunity in the first half but looked like a completely different side after the break. It took just two minutes for the Saints to score the equalizer when a low shot by Kyle Walker-Peters was fumbled by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and Che Adams capitalized on the opportunity to score his first goal of the season. 

Both sides had their fair share of opportunities to score the winner as Saul’s effort in the 72nd minute from the edge of the box went wide while Southampton substitute Will Smallbone’s header was safely put out of the way by Kepa. The Spanish goalkeeper also denied Southampton’s Lyanco and Mohammed Salisu’s headers in stoppage time as the game eventually went to penalties. Southampton substitutes Theo Walcott and Smallbone missed their penalties while Mason Mount missed for Chelsea, however, Reece James found the back of the net for the hosts to progress into the next round of the Carabao Cup.

At the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners maintained their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games with a 2-0 win over Leeds United. The hosts started off on the front foot with Gabriel Martinelli attempting to score from a tight angle but it was saved by Illan Meslier. However, Marcelo Bielsa’s team had the best opportunity of the first half when a long ball by Diego Llorente gave Daniel James an opportunity through on goal, but the Welsh winger had a poor first touch, resulting in Bernd Leno gathering the loose ball. As momentum swung in Leeds’ favor, Leno was forced to parry an effort by Jack Harrison’s low shot towards the near post.

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In the second half, Ben White was substituted for Calum Chambers as Mikel Arteta explained that the English defender was feeling unwell. Just 23 seconds later, Chambers’ first touch led to Arsenal’s opening goal as the 26 year old headed the ball over the goal line and referee Andre Marriner awarded the goal thanks to goal line technology. Eddie Nketiah doubled the scoring in the 69th minute by taking advantage of Cooper’s poor header and flicked the ball over goalkeeper Meslier before finishing from close range.

In the fixture between Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, The Black Cats progressed to the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2014 with a 3-1 penalty shootout win. QPR could only convert one of their four penalties with the decisive spot kick by Yoann Barbet going over the bar. For Sunderland, Aiden McGeady, Ross Stewart, and Alex Pritchard found the back of the net to ensure the lowest ranked team remaining in the Carabao Cup progressed to the next round.