English League Cup: Ancelotti backs Kakuta after Cup exit

BLACKBURN, England: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted Gael Kakuta will recover from a penalty shootout miss that condemned his side to a shock English League Cup exit against Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn will now play Aston Villa in next month's semifinals after a thrilling encounter at Ewood Park on Wednesday finished 3-3 at the end of extra-time and forced the match into the ordeal of penalties.

In the tensest of finishes, Chelsea's shootout opener from Michael Ballack was saved by Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson (pictured) before the Blues' Henrique Hilario blocked Nikola Kalinic's effort.