Chelsea are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after an agonizing 3-2 home win over in-form second division Leeds United. Bulgarian international Iliya Gruev has been given a break by his manager Daniel Farke, and according to the media in England, the reason is the upcoming tough visit to Huddersfield at the weekend.
The Yorkshiremen enjoyed a wonderful game and had their chances. Matteo Joseph (8, 59) scored both goals for the guests, but the “blues” showed more class in the important moments. The goals were scored by Nicholas Jackson (15), Mihailo Mudrik (36) and Conor Gallagher in the added time of the meeting, writes gol.bg.
In the next round, Chelsea will host the other leading team from the Championship – the leader Leicester.
The match started in superb fashion for the visitors who took the lead after just 7 minutes of play. Chelsea made a fatal mistake in clearing the ball after a throw-in, Jaden Anthony stole the ball and passed it to Matteo Joseph, who made it 1-0 with a diagonal shot.
Londoners returned to the game relatively quickly and in the 15th minute equalized. Nicolas Jackson and Caicedo split the Leeds defense with a double pass. The Senegalese jumped alone against Mellie and from a small angle poked the ball between his legs for 1:1.
The good performances of the “blues” continued and after several missed chances in the 36th minute, Mihailo Mudrik made a comeback. Sterling broke through on the right wing and found the Ukrainian in the penalty area, who turned the ball into the opposite corner by movement for 2:1.
Chelsea tried to control events after the break as well, but in the 59th minute, Joseph checked the home defense with his second goal of the game. Jaden Anthony broke through the wing and crossed perfectly into the penalty area, where Joseph’s header did not leave many chances for Sanchez and made it 2:2.
Joseph could have even completed his hat-trick in the following minutes, but he couldn’t get his head straight. In the 74th minute, Sanchez deflected a dangerous shot by Anthony.
Yet Chelsea’s experience prevailed and in the 90th minute the Londoners triumphed. Enzo Fernandez broke down the wing and found Conor Gallagher. The youngster of the “blues” elegantly freed himself from a defender and shot without preparation. The ball deflected off Cooper’s body and into the net behind Mellieu.
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