Kepa Arrizabalaga The Hero As Chelsea Edge Out Villarreal To Win Super Cup

Chelsea defeated Villarreal 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the UEFA Super Cup in Belfast.

Kepa Arrizabalaga was the unlikely hero as Chelsea started the new season as they ended the last with a European trophy by beating Villarreal 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win the UEFA Super Cup in Belfast. The 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 extra-time as a substitute for the shootout by Thomas Tuchel. Kepa 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 manager's faith with saves from Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol. "It was not spontaneous," said Tuchel who explained the plan had been hatched in the FA Cup last season. "We talked about it with the goalkeepers after the first cup game against Barnsley.