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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Lee

Nottingham Forest legend Mark Crossley takes aim at Chelsea's 'shambolic' Kepa penalty decision

Nottingham Forest legend Mark Crossley believes Chelsea's decision to change goalkeepers specifically for a League Cup final penalty shoot-out was a "joke" and defeat "serves them right".

Not a single goal could be found throughout 120 minutes of action-packed football at Wembley Stadium as Liverpool and Chelsea went head-to-head for the League Cup trophy.

It was not without their best efforts, however, as VAR intervened on numerous occasions to cut-short celebrations from both sets of supporters.

With the two sides heading towards spot-kicks, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel opted to take off Edouard Mendy and replace him with Kepa Arrizabalaga but it was a move which completely back-fired for the London side.

The two sides could not be separated during the shoot-out until Liverpool 'keeper Caoimhin Kelleher scored a 12th spot-kick for the Reds before Arrizabalaga smashed his effort well over the crossbar, meaning the trophy would be heading to Merseyside.

Taking to Twitter during the shoot-out, Crossley said: "Changing keeper for me who has been top class in the game is a joke ,, I would have refused to come off."

Shortly after the Chelsea substitute's effort headed into orbit, Crossley added: "Serves em right ,, absolutely shambolic decision ,,, take yer best player off."

It could be claimed to be wise words coming from the ex-Forest 'keeper as Crossley made more than 300 appearances for the Reds and is the only goalkeeper to have stopped a Matt Le Tissier penalty kick.

What are your memories of Mark Crossley's time at Nottingham Forest? Let us know in the comments section here...

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