Kepa wins it for Blues

Kepa Arrizabalaga was the unlikely hero as Chelsea started the new season as they ended the last with a European trophy by beating Villarreal 65 on penalties after a 11 draw to win the UEFA Super Cup in BelfastChelsea had last won the UEFA Super Cup in 1998The Spaniard who has lost his place as number one since joining the club for a world record fee for a goalkeeper in 2018 was introduced late in extratime as a substitute for the shootout by Thomas TuchelChelsea players celebrate with the UEFA Super Cup after their win over Villarreal on Wednesday PicAP PTIKepa famously refused to be replaced by former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri in a League Cup final defeat to Manchester City two years ago But this time he rewarded his managerrsquos faith with saves from Aissa Mandi and Raul AlbiolWellhatched planldquoIt was not spontaneousrdquo said Tuchel who explained the plan had been hatched in the FA Cup last season ldquoWe talked about it with the goalkeepers after the first cup game against Barnsley Kepa has the best percentage at saving penalties the analysing guys and goalkeeping coaches showed me the data We spoke to the players that this could happen when we play in knockout games Itrsquos fantastic how Edouard Mendy accepted it There is proof that Kepa is better in this discipline Theyrsquore team players Edouard does not show the pride to not step off the field He was happy to do it for the team and take this for the teamrdquoInform ZiyechHakim Ziyech had a bittersweet evening as he continued his fine preseason form into competitive action with the opening goal Marcos Alonso fed Kai Havertz down the right and from the Germanrsquos low cross Ziyech swept homeHowever the Moroccan was forced off before halftime in a sling by a shoulder injury Villarreal were the dominant force in the secondhalf as Chelsea physically faded after their flying start Tuchel turned to his bench to stem the tide as Mason Mount Jorginho and Andreas Christensen were introduced But the Spaniards got their equaliser when Gerard Moreno played a onetwo with Boulaye Dia before firing high past MendyAlso Read India midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad We were determinedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever