The German team manager Thomas Tuchel and FC Chelsea only with difficulty prevented the end of another title chance in the English football cup shortly after the shock of the farewell announcement by club owner Roman Abramovich.
In the round of 16 at second division Luton Town, the Champions League winners won three days after the dramatic penalty shootout defeat in the League Cup final against Liverpool (10:11) only after falling behind twice 3:2 (1:2).
In addition to the Blues, Liverpool FC and Southampton FC also reached the quarter-finals.
Liverpool’s B-Elf and their German coach Jürgen Klopp won thanks to a brace from Takumi Minamino (27th and 39th) against Premier League bottom Norwich City 2-1 (2-0).
Southampton prevailed in another first division duel against West Ham United 3: 1 (1: 0).
Golden Hand by Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel significantly rebuilt Chelsea’s team. Defender Antonio Rüdiger was one of just two players in the starting line-up of last year’s finalists who also started against Liverpool.
While Kai Havertz was allowed to take a break at the club world champions after his strong performances in the past few weeks, Rüdiger’s second national team colleague Timo Werner also had a chance of probation in the storm of the starting eleven, as did the recently controversial striker Romelu Lukaku.
Tuchel showed a golden touch: Werner (68th) and Lukaku (78th) turned the game in favor of the Blues. Spaniard Saul Niguez (27th) scored Chelsea’s first equalizer.
Next surprise from Middlesbrough FC
Second division FC Middlesbrough caused a surprise last Tuesday against Premier League top team Tottenham Hotspur with a 1-0 aet as in the previous round against record champions Manchester United.
Champion Manchester City and Crystal Palace, on the other hand, achieved the expected favorite wins in lower-class second division teams.
The quarter-finals are completed by the winners of the two outstanding encounters. Everton host fifth-tier club Boreham Wood on Thursday before former European champions Nottingham Forest meet second-tier rivals Huddersfield Town after beating cup holders Leicester City in the Round of 32 on Monday.