Romelu leaves it late to take Blues into the last eight
HOW fitting that Roman Abramovich’s record buy Romelu Lukaku should get the winner last night.
But it was a touch embarrassing for the owner that it needed the £97.5million signing’s late goal to give Chelsea the edge over their rivals from the Championship.
“We’ve won the lot,” sang the visiting fans, only for the Luton supporters to reply, “You bought the lot” and “You’re getting sold in the morning”.
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s week continued in similar vein to the way it started atWembley on Sunday.
After just 102 seconds yet another ball flew past his ears without him even moving.
Luke Berry’s corner was met perfectly by Reece Burke and the penalty villain from the Carabao Cup final was picking the ball out of the net yet again.
Luton keeper Jed Steer then turned his ankle after 14 minutes and had to be taken off on a stretcher, making way for Harry Isted.
But Chelsea were so disjointed he could ease himself in gently.
Isted was given no chance, however, when Saul Niguez curled home the equaliser.
Luton then got themselves back in front as Harry Cornick beat the offside trap to sprint on to Carlos Mendes Gomes’s through ball to score five minutes before
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half-time. Chelsea continued to struggle to impose themselves despite what is likely to have been a fiery pep talk from manager Thomas Tuchel.
“Champions of Europe, you’re having a laugh,” was the new taunt from the Luton faithful.
But, in the 68th minute, Chelsea finally showed their class.
Ruben LoftusCheek, playing as a sweeper, picked out Timo Werner and the German striker took the ball on his thigh before poking it into the corner of the net beyond the grasp of Isted.
He then turned into the provider with 12 minutes to go, Werner bursting clear on the right before crossing nicely for Lukaku to seal a place in the last eight with a close-range finish.
Abramovich bought Belgian striker Lukaku to win the big games for his club. And, perhaps, by keeping Chelsea on an even keel in these stormy waters, this win was bigger than anybody could have possibly imagined. LUTON (3-5-2): Steer 5 (Isted 14, 6); Burke 7, Lockyer 6, Potts 7; Kioso 6, Gomes 7 (Hylton 76), Osho 6, Berry 7 (Campbell 62, 6), Bell 6; Cornick 8 (Jerome 62, 6), Muskwe 7 (Snodgrass 76). Burke 2, Cornick 40.
CHELSEA (3-4-3): Kepa 6; Rudiger 6, Loftus-Cheek 7, Sarr 5; Hudson-Odoi 5 (Vale 61, 6), Jorginho 6 (James 76), Saul 7, Kenedy 6 (Pulisic 61, 6); Mount 8, Lukaku 7, Werner 7. Goals: Saul 27, Werner 68, Lukaku 78.