Bryan Ruiz missed the crucial spot-kick as 10-man Chelsea moved into the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a penalty shootout win over Fulham.

The final kick struck the underside of the bar and bounced on - but not over - the line to hand Chelsea victory in dramatic fashion.

Fulham came closest to scoring in normal time when Pajtim Kasami hit the crossbar with his 49th-minute penalty.

It was awarded after Kerim Frei was hauled down by Alex, who was sent off.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas fielded a young line-up, handing starts to Romelu Lukaku and Josh McEachran - with the later creating the best chance of the first half.

Villas-Boas praises Chelsea 'super-human' effort

McEachran brilliantly burst into the box and beat Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, but with Daniel Sturridge making sure by tapping the ball over the line he was flagged offside.

Sturridge pulled up sharply in the first half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Petr Cech was also hurt when he collided with Orlando Sa, and failed to emerge after the break.

No sooner had the second half got underway than Fulham won a penalty.

Ruiz's clever back-heel freed debutant Frei, who was brought down by Alex. The Brazilian protested his innocent but was dismissed by Chris Foy before Swiss teenager Kasami hit the bar with his penalty.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Chelsea's victory on penalties v Fulham is only their second shoot-out win in their last nine attempts

A frantic second half saw good chances missed at both ends, with Frei and Kasami clearing off the line from a corner before the former's finish sailed wide at the other end under pressure from substitute keeper Ross Turnbull.

The game drifted into a penalty shootout, which saw Frank Lampard miss for Chelsea and Moussa Dembele for Fulham also failing.

New Fulham striker Ruiz missed the crucial kick in controversial circumstances, with the ball bouncing on the line after it had struck the underside of the bar - but the officials judged that the ball did not cross the line and the Blues progressed.

Chelsea's win improved their miserable record of seven penalty shoot-out defeats from their previous eight.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas on the Ruiz penalty:

"Everybody was looking at each other wondering if it was celebration time.

"The linesman was there so maybe, this time, the decision is good."

He added: "It was a superhuman effort during 70 minutes.

"To be with 10 men for 70 minutes and to hold Fulham's goal and still to create the most amount of opportunities and the best opportunities is out of this world.

"I'm very, very happy with the display of everybody, commitment-wise, effort-wise, concentration-wise."

Fulham boss Martin Jol on the Ruiz penalty:

"To be fair, I haven't seen it.

"Somebody was standing in front of me and then I saw him [Ruiz] go towards the goalkeeper and I knew that he'd missed."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech (Turnbull - 46' )
  • 04 David Luiz
  • 19 Ferreira
  • 33 Alex Dismissed
  • 34 Bertrand
  • 06 Romeu
  • 15 Malouda
  • 20 McEachran (Terry - 52' )
  • 18 Lukaku
  • 21 Kalou
  • 23 Sturridge (Lampard - 44' Booked )

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 17 Bosingwa
  • 26 Terry
  • 08 Lampard
  • 12 Mikel
  • 10 Mata
  • 11 Drogba

Fulham

  • 01 Schwarzer
  • 02 Kelly
  • 06 Baird
  • 14 Senderos
  • 26 Grygera
  • 28 Briggs
  • 10 Kasami (Zamora - 79' )
  • 15 Gecov (Sidwell - 90' )
  • 21 Frei Booked
  • 09 Sa (Dembele - 59' )
  • 11 Ruiz

Substitutes

  • 38 Etheridge
  • 03 JA Riise
  • 32 Halliche
  • 04 Sidwell
  • 31 Alexander Kacaniklic
  • 25 Zamora
  • 30 Dembele
Ref: Foy
Att: 37,632

Match Stats

Shots

21 12

On target

9 4

Corners

7 5

Fouls

7 10

Live Text Commentary

125:33

Spot kick missed by Bryan Ruiz.

124:57 Penalty

Penalty scored by Florent Malouda. Chelsea 4-3 Fulham on penalties.

124:21 Penalty

Chris Baird scores a penalty. Chelsea 3-3 Fulham on penalties.

123:47 Penalty

Penalty scored by Salomon Kalou. Chelsea 3-2 Fulham on penalties.

123:08

Penalty taken by Moussa Dembele is saved by Ross Turnbull.

122:33 Penalty

Penalty scored by John Terry. Chelsea 2-2 Fulham on penalties.

121:58 Penalty

Penalty scored by Steve Sidwell. Chelsea 1-2 Fulham on penalties.

121:21 Penalty

David Luiz scores a penalty. Chelsea 1-1 Fulham on penalties.

121:04 Penalty

Bobby Zamora scores a penalty. Chelsea 0-1 Fulham on penalties.

120:03

Power penalty taken by Frank Lampard saved by Mark Schwarzer.

120:01

All is set for the penalty shoot-out to start.

120:00 +1:30

The match is going to penalties.

119:57

Chris Baird takes the free kick.

119:57 Booking

Booking The referee shows Frank Lampard a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

119:52

Moussa Dembele fouled by Frank Lampard, the ref awards a free kick.

118:35

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Frank Lampard, Close range header by David Luiz goes over the bar.

118:15

The ball is crossed by Frank Lampard, Matthew Briggs gets a block in.

117:06

Stephen Kelly sends in a cross, Steve Sidwell takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.

116:19

The ball is sent over by Romelu Lukaku, Philippe Senderos makes a clearance.

114:46

Bobby Zamora produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.

111:09

Oriol Romeu takes a shot.

109:54

Long range shot by Matthew Briggs goes wide right of the target.

109:04

The ball is sent over by Salomon Kalou.

105:43

The ball is crossed by Romelu Lukaku.

105:01

Second half of extra-time has started.

104:43

Shot by Florent Malouda from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.

103:11

Long range effort by Bryan Ruiz goes over the bar.

100:28

Ryan Bertrand delivers the ball, clearance made by Matthew Briggs.

99:56

Centre by Ryan Bertrand, Stephen Kelly gets a block in.

99:11

A cross is delivered by Kerim Frei, clearance made by John Terry.

98:38

Salomon Kalou sends in a cross, clearance made by Chris Baird.

98:04

Oriol Romeu restarts play with the free kick.

98:04 Booking

Booking The referee books Kerim Frei for unsporting behaviour.

98:00

Foul by Kerim Frei on Paulo Ferreira, free kick awarded.

96:56

David Luiz fouled by Bobby Zamora, the ref awards a free kick. Ross Turnbull takes the direct free kick.

95:44

David Luiz produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that goes wide left of the target.

95:19

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard, Mark Schwarzer makes a save.

95:00

Florent Malouda produces a cross.

94:51

Florent Malouda delivers the ball, Steve Sidwell makes a clearance.

94:10

Bobby Zamora takes a shot. Save by Ross Turnbull.

90:00 +3:14

The whistle goes for the end of normal time.

90:00 +2:26

The ball is swung over by John Terry.

90:00 +1:46

A cross is delivered by Florent Malouda, Matthew Briggs makes a clearance.

90:00 +1:30

The ball is sent over by Paulo Ferreira, clearance by Zdenek Grygera.

90:00 +1:22

The ball is swung over by Frank Lampard, clearance made by Steve Sidwell.

90:00 +0:41 Substitution

Substitution Steve Sidwell joins the action as a substitute, replacing Marcel Gecov.

88:26

David Luiz takes a shot. Mark Schwarzer makes a save.

88:07

The ball is swung over by Florent Malouda, Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Blocked by Philippe Senderos.

87:12

Florent Malouda crosses the ball, clearance by Zdenek Grygera.

86:28

Frank Lampard takes a long range shot harmlessly clearing the crossbar.

85:10

Centre by Romelu Lukaku.

84:00

Bryan Ruiz takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Frank Lampard manages to make a clearance.

83:44

Kerim Frei produces a cross, clearance made by Ryan Bertrand.

83:04

Shot from just outside the box by Florent Malouda goes over the target.

82:01

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard played to the near post, clearance by Matthew Briggs.

80:41

The ball is sent over by Romelu Lukaku.

78:46

Philippe Senderos fouled by Romelu Lukaku, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Baird takes the free kick.

78:07 Substitution

Substitution Bobby Zamora on for Pajtim Kasami.

77:16

Shot by Kerim Frei from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

76:56

John Terry takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer.

76:05

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Frank Lampard, Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Zdenek Grygera manages to make a clearance.

75:55

The ball is swung over by Ryan Bertrand, Matthew Briggs manages to make a clearance.

74:46

Ryan Bertrand takes a shot. Save made by Mark Schwarzer.

74:21

Kerim Frei gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Salomon Kalou. David Luiz takes the free kick.

73:46

Chris Baird has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

73:27

Corner from the right by-line taken by Pajtim Kasami, Ross Turnbull makes a save.

73:04

Matthew Briggs sends in a cross, John Terry makes a clearance.

72:44

Moussa Dembele takes a shot. Save made by Ross Turnbull.

72:31

Chris Baird takes a shot. Blocked by Oriol Romeu.

71:40

Foul by Paulo Ferreira on Kerim Frei, free kick awarded. Pajtim Kasami takes the direct free kick.

71:22

Moussa Dembele takes a shot. Blocked by Oriol Romeu.

71:05

The ball is crossed by Matthew Briggs, Oriol Romeu makes a clearance.

70:45

Short corner taken by Pajtim Kasami.

70:35

The ball is swung over by Chris Baird, Paulo Ferreira makes a clearance.

69:46

Florent Malouda takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer.

69:25

Pajtim Kasami gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Oriol Romeu. David Luiz takes the free kick.

68:34

Pajtim Kasami concedes a free kick for a foul on Frank Lampard. Free kick taken by Paulo Ferreira.

67:14

The assistant referee signals for offside against Stephen Kelly. Ross Turnbull restarts play with the free kick.

66:08

David Luiz challenges Moussa Dembele unfairly and gives away a free kick. Matthew Briggs restarts play with the free kick.

65:10

Ryan Bertrand produces a cross, Matthew Briggs manages to make a clearance.

62:51

Corner taken by Florent Malouda.

61:42

Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Blocked by Philippe Senderos.

58:45 Substitution

Substitution Carlos Orlando Sa leaves the field to be replaced by Moussa Dembele.

58:45 Substitution

Substitution Moussa Dembele is brought on as a substitute for Carlos Orlando Sa.

58:30

Centre by Paulo Ferreira, Matthew Briggs manages to make a clearance.

56:53

A cross is delivered by Matthew Briggs, save by Ross Turnbull.

53:20

A cross is delivered by Salomon Kalou, save by Mark Schwarzer.

52:01

A cross is delivered by Florent Malouda, Zdenek Grygera manages to make a clearance.

51:06 Substitution

Substitution Josh McEachran leaves the field to be replaced by John Terry.

46:58 Penalty

Placed penalty missed by Pajtim Kasami.

46:58 Dismissal

Dismissal The referee red cards Alex for professional foul.

46:45

Penalty awarded for an unfair challenge on Kerim Frei by Alex.

46:01

Salomon Kalou produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Ross Turnbull comes on in place of Petr Cech.

45:00 +2:25 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +2:03

David Luiz produces a cross, clearance made by Chris Baird.

45:00 +1:40

Outswinging corner taken by Josh McEachran.

45:00 +1:29

Ryan Bertrand sends in a cross, blocked by Stephen Kelly.

45:00 +1:00

Paulo Ferreira delivers the ball, clearance made by Philippe Senderos.

43:45 Substitution

Substitution Frank Lampard replaces Daniel Sturridge.

38:55

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Mark Schwarzer.

37:35

Ryan Bertrand sends in a cross, clearance made by Philippe Senderos.

36:40

Foul by Pajtim Kasami on Paulo Ferreira, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Alex.

34:57

Florent Malouda produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

34:01

The ball is swung over by Carlos Orlando Sa.

33:08

Pajtim Kasami takes the outswinging corner, Oriol Romeu makes a clearance.

31:58

Carlos Orlando Sa is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Petr Cech takes the direct free kick.

30:41

Daniel Sturridge produces a cross, clearance made by Philippe Senderos.

29:42

Pajtim Kasami concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Bertrand. Free kick crossed left-footed by Josh McEachran, Philippe Senderos makes a clearance.

29:03

Daniel Sturridge crosses the ball, Zdenek Grygera makes a clearance.

26:27

Close range shot by Carlos Orlando Sa goes wide of the right-hand upright.

25:42

Effort from the edge of the area by Daniel Sturridge goes wide of the left-hand post.

24:08

Romelu Lukaku produces a cross, Chris Baird manages to make a clearance.

23:55

Salomon Kalou takes a shot. Blocked by Chris Baird.

22:06

Florent Malouda fouled by Chris Baird, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Oriol Romeu.

21:13

Foul by Oriol Romeu on Pajtim Kasami, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Chris Baird.

20:30

Salomon Kalou produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.

20:21

Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer.

19:37

Inswinging corner taken by Pajtim Kasami from the right by-line, Petr Cech makes a save.

17:17

The ball is swung over by Florent Malouda, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Salomon Kalou misses to the right of the target.

16:39

The ball is swung over by Daniel Sturridge, Chris Baird manages to make a clearance.

13:36

Ryan Bertrand produces a cross.

11:28

The ball is sent over by Ryan Bertrand.

10:32

Unfair challenge on Salomon Kalou by Stephen Kelly results in a free kick. Ryan Bertrand takes the direct free kick.

9:38

The official flags Carlos Orlando Sa offside. Free kick taken by Alex.

9:26

Centre by Daniel Sturridge, clearance by Philippe Senderos.

8:31

Corner taken left-footed by Josh McEachran, clearance made by Zdenek Grygera.

8:19

Centre by Ryan Bertrand, blocked by Pajtim Kasami.

6:56

Shot from outside the area by Pajtim Kasami misses to the left of the target.

6:11

Daniel Sturridge produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

5:15

The ball is swung over by Paulo Ferreira, clearance by Philippe Senderos.

4:30

Free kick awarded for a foul by Carlos Orlando Sa on Alex. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.

3:36

Foul by Oriol Romeu on Bryan Ruiz, free kick awarded. Chris Baird restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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