London: It is not unusual in FA Cup matches for teams in a lower division to become giant killers. Luton Town playing against Chelsea, nearly achieved this until just 12 minutes before time when the European champions managed to settle the match at 3-2 to enter the quarterfinal.
Chelsea had looked jaded after their defeat in the EFL Cup final against Liverpool at the weekend and were possibly distracted by the news, an hour before kick-off, that their Russian owner Roman Abramovich was selling the club.
Speaking after the match, Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel tried to make light of his teams’ off-colour performance, he said: “I like how we played, we didn’t get frustrated and were patient and at the same time relentless. We deserved to win, it was a good team performance, a very humble performance. Timo (Werner) and Rom (Romelu Lukaku) – that’s why they have to play in these matches.”
Chelsea made nine changes from the final’s team hoping for a strong reaction from the makeshift team but would have had an early shock when Luton struck with their first goal within two minutes of the start. Having won an early corner, Luke Berry delivered the ball perfectly for Reece Burke to move away from Malang Sarr for a glancing header in off the far post.
It was just over halfway in the first half that Chelsea found the equaliser. Luton midfielder Gabe Osho lost possession to Mason Mount which then enabled Werner, having received the ball, to pass to Saul Niguez who shot into the far corner.
But Luton kept looking for openings and got a break five minutes before half-time. Carlos Mendes Gomes gave a lovely through pass which beat Sarr and Harry Cornick was quick to put in a low shot into the net as the goalkeeper Kepa charged out off his line. Chelsea appealed, hoping for an offside decision but there was no use of VAR in this match to help.
Chelsea were more in control in the second half with Tuchel having reshuffled the team. They enjoyed much of the possession and eventually equalised for a second time in the 68th minute. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who seemed well in control of the midfield laid on a pass to Werner who took it on his thigh before slotting it in from close range.
Ten minutes later, Chelsea finally went into the lead. Werner, put in a low cross for Lukaku to slide in with his outstretched left leg for a late winning goal, to the huge hope and disappointment of a lively home crowd.
Werner, who had a fine game, said: “After losing on Sunday (EFL Cup final) we wanted to show we want to go into the next final. It was hard work but we won.”
