Archer pain and gain
REPORTING FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE QPR 1 Rotherham 1
ROMELU LUKAKU let his feet do the talking as he started work on the rebuild of his relationship with Chelsea supporters. The 29-year-old had taken a bulldozer to it earlier this month with the airing of THAT Sky Italia interview.
But, after an apology of sorts with a follow-up video last week, he then delivered in a currency Blues fans will truly value — that of a goal which helped them ease through to the fourth round of this famous old trophy at the expense of National League Chesterfield.
Lukaku struck Chelsea’s third after 19 minutes, joining Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-odoi on the scoresheet.
And they were further ahead before the break through Andreas Christensen, with only his second goal in eight-and-a-half years at the club. Soon after, Hakim Ziyech made it five, scoring from the penalty spot.
Chesterfield, the first away side to win at Stamford Bridge way back in 1905, had come here with hopes of a giant-killing.
But they had to settle for the consolation of Akwasi Asante’s second-half goal, a tap-in that sent the 6,000 Spireites who had made the journey from north Derbyshire delirious.
Chelsea deserve credit for a clinical performance.
But it’s fair to say none of their fans had probably ever imagined they’d be in a position to barrack a £97.5million striker.
But they amused themselves with chants of, ‘He’s Inter Milan, he’s Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku, he’s Inter Milan’, in the moments that followed his goal.
As for Lukaku, he was substituted at half-time, his job of getting on the scoresheet done.
Goalscorers rarely stay in the bad books for long and if he nets against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg in midweek then he will be all but forgiven.
Lewis Hall also deserves a special mention.
He was excellent on his first start for Chelsea, not showing any nerves as he became the youngest player to play for the club in the FA Cup at 17 years, 122 days.
The latest academy product even set up Lukaku’s goal, albeit with a little good fortune along the way, but take nothing from him, he did superbly throughout when many would have been a little overawed.
For
Chesterfield, there was plenty of hard work and all of them can be proud of their contributions.they will remember this game for the rest of their lives.
JORDAN ARCHER experienced the joy and pain of penalties.
QPR keeper Archer was rushed to hospital after he injured his shoulder as he went full-length to save the 18th spot-kick of the shootout from Chiedozie Ogbene.
He required treatment on the pitch before being led off to an ambulance with his arm in a sling.
It took the gloss off QPR’S celebrations after they fought back from falling behind in extra time.
Sub Hakeem Odoffin fired Rotherham ahead on 98 minutes only for Lyndon Dykes to head home a 115th-minute leveller.
Hoops boss Mark Warburton said: “It was a scrappy game but all credit to the players.they found a way to win.”