Abraham fires hat-trick to ease the pressure on Chelsea boss
Tammy Abraham struck a smart Stamford Bridge hattrick as Chelsea drove past stubborn Luton with a 3-1 win and into the FA Cup fifth round.
England hitman Abraham took his Chelsea goal tally to 11 for the season, netting twice in sevenfirst-halfminutesbefore completing his treble late on.
Jordan Clark profited from the struggling Kepa Arrizabalaga’s latest error to claw one back for Championship side Luton, but the Blues ground their way to an important fourth-round win.
Timo Werner missed a late penalty in a frustrating end to his afternoon, but Chelsea will now travel to Barnsley in the fifth round.
This victory was crucial for under-pressure boss Frank Lampard, who will now set about trying to engineer a return to winning ways in the Premier League.
England midfielder Mount captained Chelsea for the first time, a fine reward for the 22-year-old’s relentless graft and quality. A fine boost for Chelsea’s much-vaunted academy, Mount delivered precisely the exemplary leadership Lampard both required and so craved.
The 13-cap midfielder took to a deep-lying role in Lampard’s latest formation – and his partnership with Gilmour merits exploration in the Premier League.
Chelsea desperately need wins in home matches against WolvesandBurnleynextweek
after five losses in eight league encounters. And Lampard could do far worse than pair up young Scot Gilmour with his Mr Dependable Mount in the coming weeks.
Lampardfinallyfieldedtwo strikers, with Abraham and Werner linking up at the top of the field.
Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech took to the flanks then, with Mount and
Gilmour the sitting central midfielders.
WernerandAbrahamstarted the day’s strike partnership by making the exact same run, and botching a promising move. Fortunately for the hostscalibrationcamequickly, withWernerfeedingAbraham –albeitviaadeflection–toslot the opener.
James’ deftly pitched cross then invited Abraham to doublethehomelead,andtheEngland
striker duly delivered a fine headed finish.
Chelseadippedoffthepace at the end of the first-half, but recovered some shape and energy after the interval.
Abraham could have completed his hat-trick had he reached a drilled ball that flashed across the face of goal.
Luton then squandered a gilt-edged chance to level
however, with Harry Cornick strikingatKepa’snearpostand allowing the Blues stopper to beat away his effort.
HadCornickangledtheball across goal, Kepa could have foundhimselfintroubleagain.
Replacement Callum Hudson-Odoidinkedinafinecross to hand Abraham his hat-trick goal on a plate, but again the England man could not find the target.
From Hudson-Odoi’s next inch-perfect cross Abraham made no mistake, tucking home to claim the match ball.
Gilmour’s fine reverse ball in exchanging passes with Hudson-Odoicarvedoutroom for the cross, and this time the ballfoundthenet.Wernerwas hackeddownwhenthroughon goalatthedeath,onlytostepup and see his spot-kick palmed away by Simon Sluga.