Pochettino, Howe condemn Chelsea fan for confronting Dúbravka،
Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe have both condemned a Chelsea fan who confronted Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka during the Blues' EFL Cup quarter-final victory on Tuesday night.
A fan entered the pitch and collided with Dúbravka seconds after Mykhailo Mudryk equalized in stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw and take the match to penalties.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
Callum Wilson, who opened the scoring in the 16th minute, also scored in the shootout but Kieran Trippier and Matt Ritchie missed as Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku and Mudryk struck for the side local to send Chelsea into the last four.
Sources have told ESPN that Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident and no arrests have been made so far.
A supporter ran onto the pitch and celebrated in front of Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka after Mudryk's late equalizer for Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/Mjw6ylpK3H
–ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 19, 2023
And Blues boss Pochettino said: “I haven't seen it but I listen afterwards. My opinion? Still, I think you have to be careful, the fans have to be careful. I don't like this kind of thing because it can endanger the players.
“Of course I'm disappointed. I don't agree with this sort of thing happening in football here at Stamford Bridge and I don't agree if it happens in any other stadium in England or in the world. I don't agree with this kind of thing because I think it's very dangerous and I hope it doesn't happen again.”
Newcastle manager Howe was pushed by a Leeds fan during a match at Elland Road last season following a verbal altercation. The fan was later sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and a six-year football ban.
Asked if greater protection was needed, Howe said: “Certainly based on evidence. I always say safety of players, coaches, managers, referees, linesmen. [is] priority during any football match. “More needs to be done to keep angry fans away from everyone.”
