TERRIFIC TAMMY HAS A BALL
ABRAHAM STEPS UP TO LIFT BOSS
WHEN Frank Lampard has needed men to stand up and be counted, he has found them in the shape of kids.
The Chelsea manager has felt the heat this season and, after five defeats in the past eight league games, he faced an FA Cup banana skin.
But Lampard’s youngsters carved out a route to the fifth round as Tammy Abraham grabbed a superb hat-trick at Stamford Bridge while Mason Mount, captain for the first time, Billy Gilmour, Reece James and Callum HudsonOdoi all contributed.
On the other hand, £45million new boy Timo Werner missed a late penalty that would have ended a run of one goal in 16 games while £72m goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga handed Luton their goal with another blunder.
Lampard said: “It’s easy to hone in on Kepa’s mistake. He is training well and is a good keeper. I’m annoyed we allowed them time in the box.
“I’m disappointed for Timo. He gave a lot. He’ll be despondent. It’s my job to lift him. He’ll be fine.”
Abraham’s second Chelsea hat-trick took him to 11 goals this season.
Lampard made seven changes from the team that lost at Leicester to face a Luton side who are 13th in the Championship.
Chelsea had a dream start.
Hakim Ziyech’s throw 11 minutes in sent Werner racing to the byline.The German’s pull back bounced off Tom Lockyer straight to Abraham, who buried his low shot. Furious Luton pointed out there were two balls on the pitch when Ziyech took the throw, but the goal stood. Luton manager Nathan Jones said: “The rules have apparently changed. I’m baffled. “When a second ball comes on play stops. Not today. When I went to speak to the referee, he couldn’t make eye contact. He treated me with the biggest amount of disrespect I’ve ever been treated with.” Reece James then chipped a ball into the area and Abraham climbed above the Luton defence to head over stranded goalkeeper Simon Sluga.
But Chelsea these days are fragile. Jordan Clark’s shot on the turn from James Bree’s cross somehow squirmed past Kepa into the net and suddenly the game was in the balance.
James then fluffed a clearance and Harry Cornick shot, but Kepa palmed the ball wide.
However, Gilmour combined with sub Hudson-Odoi, who crossed for Abraham to score.
Six minutes from time, Werner was brought down by Clarkbut his penalty had little conviction and Sluga saved.