Chelsea required extra time to advance through to the quarter-final of the Carling Cup against Everton this evening.
Both sides missed a penalty and ended the tie with ten men in an eventful match at Goodison Park,
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka was the first to miss from the spot, sending his effort wide after Josh McEachran had been brought down inside the area.
However, the visiting Blues took the lead into the break after Soloman Kalou's shot was spilt into the net by stand-in goalkeeper Jan Mucha.
Everton started the second half brightly and were handed the perfect opportunity to get back in the game when they were awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Ross Turnbull was sent off for his part in the incident, but his replacement Petr Cech turned away Leighton Baines's effort from 12 yards.
The hosts were not to be denied though, with Louis Saha heading past Cech in the 81st minute to force an extra 30 minutes.
Royston Drenthe saw red in extra time for David Moyes'a Everton after committing a late challenge to even up the numbers.
England Under-21s international Sturridge pounced on a parry from Mucha with four minutes remaining to send his side through to the final eight.
Liam Apicella
