Chelsea after difficult victory over Luton quarter-finalist FA Cup

Chelsea escaped elimination from the FA Cup on Wednesday. Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team, especially in the news due to the imminent retirement of owner Roman Abramovich, had to go to the extreme against Luton Town but won 3-2 thanks to a goal by Romelu Lukaku. This puts Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the most important English cup tournament.

Chelsea lost in the League Cup final on Sunday after a long penalty shootout against Liverpool. On Wednesday, the Russian owner Abramovich confirmed that he is selling the London club. Shortly after the Russian army invaded Ukraine, he had already formally transferred his interests in the club.

Reece Burke gave the home team the lead after only 2 minutes with a good header. Chelsea didn’t offer much in return, but Spaniard Saúl ̃Ñíguez equalized in the 27th minute. It seemed like a start to restore order, but shortly before half-time Luton, the number 6 on the second level in England, took the lead again through Harry Cornick. It was not until the 68th minute that a goal by Timo Werner tied the score again, after which Lukaku decided the game 10 minutes later.

Liverpool

Liverpool also advanced to the next round. The number 2 in the Premier League defeated Norwich City at home Anfield, 2-1. The Japanese Takumi Minamino scored twice for the home club before half time. Lukas Rupp scored a goal for Norwich City in the final phase.

Virgil van Dijk had been given a night of rest from Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp. At Norwich, Tim Krul was in goal.