The FA Cup fourth round tie between European Champions Chelsea and League one side Plymouth Argle at Stamford bridge in the early kick off on Saturday lunch time started on a rather bright note before a soccer-punch was delivered by Macaulay Gillesphey of Plymouth Argle on the 8th minute mark after a lovely delivery into the box by ex-Chelsea player Jordan Houghton.
That first goal did seem to rattle the blues a little but the gulf in class between both teams did show as the blues pulled back with captain Caesar Azpilicueta on the 41st minute courtesy a Mason Mount assist.
After the break, Chelsea toiled but to no avail with chances coming aplenty but wasteful finishing and poor decision-making ensured the game went into extra time where Alonso put the Blues ahead for the first time in the game.
That wasn’t the main action of the extra time as there was still time for more drama. Malang Sarr who was having a very good game lost concentration and Plymouth Argle’s striker Ryan Hardie was put through on goal and fouled by Sarr as he tried to atone for his error.
Penalty Plymouth Argle!
On the 118th minute, the match seemed certain to head to penalties but Kepa had other plans. Up stepped Ryan Hardie who won the penalty and sending the ball to the bottom right corner blues goalie, Kepa Arrizabalaga guesses correctly and saved. Kepa is simply when it comes to penalty shoot outs.
Right side of attack belongs to Ziyech 🎩
The Moroccan international continued his fine form as he was a constant threat to the Plymouth defence with his immense trickery and quick feet his major weapon.
The former Ajax man combined brilliantly down the right hand channel with Mount and Azpilicueta as Chelsea looked to break down the Plymouth rearguard. Ziyech had a total of seven completed take-one and had six keys passes.
Ziyech is fast becoming Chelsea’s most potent weapon!
Azpilicueta a proper Chels 💙
Chelsea’s captain, Caesar Azipilicueta once again proved why he remains a core part of the team with an all round performance.
The Spaniard got the blues on level terms with a brilliant back heel goal and was a menace down the right hand side of Chelsea’s attack with his brilliant movement often creating an overload and ensuring Ziyech and Mount had the required spaces to operate.
The celebration of his first goal in the FA cup showed how much passion he still has for the football club. Caesar doesn’t cease giving his all!
Lukaku, a tad too heavy 🐢
Chelsea’s record signing, Romelu Lukaku was on the pitch from start to finish as Tuchel and his assistants fielded a strong lineup and it was expected that the Belgian would register his name on the scoresheet but that wasn’t meant to be as struggled to have a major impact on the match.
The Belgian record goal scorer seemed to be a little match rusty and struggled on a few occasions with his first touches and control of the ball often letting him down. Lukaku also struggled with his reaction to loose balls and 50-50 challenges being a little too late.
Big Rom has to shed to some weight!
Werner has to do a lot better! 😶
Timo Werner a substitute bestowed with the task of coming on and making a difference made little or no positive impact as he struggled with the most basic things. His touches were poor, his controls and timing of his run also left a lot to be desired.
The break seemed to have affected his performance greatly as Werner seemed uninterested for large portions of the game while he was on the pitch and that proved to be the case when he was played through on goal by Lukaku deep into the stoppage time only for the German to give up on chasing before the ball was eventually cleared.
Timo needs to find his boost ASAP!
Kepa to the rescue! 🧤
Save the best for the last they say. Kepa Arrizabalaga, the name on every Chelsea’s fan lips after another heroic performance where he showed once again how reliable he is when tasked with saving from 12 yards out. The most expensive goalie in the world came up big to the rescue of Malang Sarr as he saved a penalty for the 5th time this season.
Kepa paying up large chunks of the 71 million pounds spent to bring him in.
Chelsea off to the fifth round where they play Luton Town away from home later this month.
Man of the Match:
Hakim Ziyech – 9/10
