Welcome to the weird world of Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was impossible to know what to make of the £71.6m goalkeeper by the end of this entertaining Carabao Cup tie. He was at fault when Southampton cancelled out Chelsea’s lead, gifting Che Adams an equaliser when he failed to repel a Kyle Walker‑Peters shot, but he went on to make some stunning stops in the second half and finished as the hero after Thomas Tuchel’s side reached the last eight, winning on penalties.
This is becoming a speciality for Arrizabalaga, who had already helped
Chelsea in shootout victories against Villarreal and Aston Villa this season. Against Southampton the Spaniard saved well from Theo Walcott and he went on to psyche out Will Smallbone, the substitute’s wild effort giving Reece James the chance to send the European champions through after a night of eccentric
Football.