VIDEO: Hazard misses decisive penalty, Stoke knocks Chelsea out of League Cup
Insert your cliches about a cold, wet night at Stoke here. Chelsea brought them to life Wednesday.
Mired in their worst-ever spell under manager Jose Mourinho, the Blues, sputtering in defense and profligate up front, saw their Capital One Cup run come to a halt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, losing 5-4 on penalties to Stoke City after 120 minutes of action saw the sides level at one apiece.
The first nine players to step up to the spot converted their penalties with relative ease, with everything from simple side-footed finishes to powerful blasts straight down the middle being used to beat the respective goalkeepers.
Eden Hazard, stepping up for his side's fifth penalty, opted for a combination of the two, attempting to fire the ball into the top corner to prolong the festivities.
Jack Butland had other ideas.
@ChelseaFC season goes from bad to worse in one kick from Eden Hazard. Chelsea out of #CapitalOneCup to @stokecity pic.twitter.com/Tf1kb26NPC
— Bruce Kopp (@BruceKopp13) October 27, 2015
The loss marks yet another failed attempt by Chelsea to secure a shootout victory under Mourinho.
5 - Chelsea have lost all five of their penalty shootouts under Jose Mourinho. Glum.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 27, 2015
The pressure mounts ...