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Chelsea started off with a lot of energy and intention in the cold and sleet – a little snow on the ground, even! – and quickly took a two-goal lead in the first quarter of an hour, thanks to two excellent finishes from Tammy Abraham.
Luton complained about the first goal as there were technically two balls on the pitch when Chelsea took a smart and quick throw-in, but the referee was happy enough to allow play to continue (the second ball was well behind the game) and Abraham finished perfectly from a reduction of Werner.
There were no doubts or complaints about the second, as Abraham led a goalie lightly blocked by a nice chipped ball from Reece James.
Chelsea looked comfortable at this point, but Kepa decided to make things interesting by letting a shot go past his hand. Chelsea’s defense wasn’t great either, of course, with Emerson and Zouma giving their man too much space.
Chelsea got to work quickly in the second half and besieged Luton’s penalty area. Their goalkeeper made a terrific save on a Pulisic chance, but Chelsea couldn’t find a quick third. Instead, it was Luton who started to threaten, and Kepa had to make a magnificent save to keep Chelsea in the lead.
Luton’s threat didn’t last long, and Chelsea finally settled the game by bringing in Hudson-Odoi, who created some good chances before Abraham finished one to complete his treble.
We even then had time to miss a penalty, won by Werner but not converted. But the outcome was never in doubt: 3-1, Chelsea. Accomplished job.
Carefree.
- Lots of changes from midweek but only a handful of changes from the last FA Cup game with Christensen getting a runout instead of Rudiger, James instead of Azpilicueta and Havertz and Hudson-Odoi dropping out Pulisic and Abraham.
- Chelsea roll with a 4-2-3-1 and double pivot from Gilmour & Mount
- Changes at constant scope of CHO for Pulisic, Havertz for Ziyech, Giroud for Abraham, Kovacic for Mount. Only 4 of the 5 authorized submarines are used.
- Mount captain of the Chelsea first team for the first time. Kovacic does the same after replacing Mount for the last 5-10 minutes.
- Kepa gives, Kepa takes
- Abraham, first player to reach double-digit goals this season, with 11 now
- Chelsea’s second hat-trick for Abraham, after one against Wolves last season
- Third hat-trick of the season for Chelsea (Havertz v Barnsley, Giroud v Sevilla)
- Barnsley will be next for us in the FA Cup. They beat Norwich City in their fourth round game.
- Next up: Wolves Home Wednesday, then Burnley Home Sunday
- KTBFFH
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