Chelsea see off Sheffield Wednesday on Gonzalo Higuain debut
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored on what could be his final Chelsea appearance and Willian netted twice as the holders advanced with a 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi started despite reportedly submitting a transfer request in an effort to force through a move to Bayern Munich ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline and the 18-year-old winger netted Chelsea's second after 64 minutes.
Until that moment, an official sitting 14 miles away in Stockley Park had been the most influential person on the contest, despite the fact Gonzalo Higuain was making his Chelsea debut.
Wednesday had a penalty overturned by Video Assistant Referee Graham Scott after 22 minutes and Chelsea had a spot-kick awarded four minutes later, Willian converting from the spot, after referee Andre Marriner's decision had been confirmed by VAR.
Willian added a late third as the Blues advanced to the fifth round.
Higuain made his first appearance and Hudson-Odoi potentially his last as Chelsea made eight changes following last Thursday's win over Tottenham which saw them advance to the Carabao Cup final.
Wednesday's defence offered up a greater resistance than the England batting line-up their incoming boss Steve Bruce has witnessed in the Caribbean.
Bruce insisted on fulfilling his promise to go on a family holiday following the death of both his parents last year and watched England's 381-run first Test loss in Barbados ahead of taking up his role at Hillsborough from Friday.
Cricket's Decision Review System has largely been a success, but VAR has had its moments. On this occasion it was right, frustrating nearly 6,000 visiting fans.
When Joey Pelupessy surged through to try to meet Steven Fletcher's pass, Ethan Ampadu slid in and won the ball before being kicked by the Wednesday midfielder. Marriner's award of a penalty was swiftly overturned by VAR.
Play restarted with a dropped ball, as per the rules, which Wednesday did not contest. Soon they had conceded a spot-kick.
Blues academy graduate Sam Hutchinson trod on Cesar Azpilicueta. Marriner's decision was reviewed, but there was no doubt.
Willian appeared to offer the spot-kick to Higuain, who declined, before the Brazilian sent goalkeeper Keiren Westwood the wrong way for his 50th Chelsea goal.
The hosts celebrated in front of the Shed End, packed with visiting fans, some of whom took exception, with missiles thrown.
Higuain until that pointed had lurked menacingly. He had one half-chance after a pass from Mateo Kovacic. He turned and shot, but the ball deflected wide.
The 31-year-old striker, who had the best goalscoring season of his career under Sarri at Napoli, netting 36 times in 35 Serie A games, dropped deeper and deeper as the first half progressed in search of the ball, while Hudson-Odoi was a peripheral figure.
Chelsea, as usual under Sarri, dominated possession, but little was created with the ball in the final third, while Wednesday's best chance was a mishit cross by Adam Reach which hit the outside of a post.
The Blues' lack of killer instinct has become a familiar frustration for the Italian, one he believes Higuain can solve. He had half chances when a Willian cross was deflected away from him and heading an Ampadu cross just wide.
Chelsea scored their second when Andreas Christensen's long pass found Hudson-Odoi on the right. He checked inside, wrong-footing Morgan Fox, and struck a shot which deceived Westwood. His second Chelsea goal could be his last.
Chelsea had a third when Willian played a one-two with Olivier Giroud, on for Higuain, and passed the ball in.
A Giroud overhead kick went wide and Willian shot off target late on, missing out on a hat-trick.
PA
What time does it start?
Chelsea vs Sheffield Wednesday kicks off at 6:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 27th January.
Where can I watch it?
Chelsea vs Sheffield Wednesday will be shown live on BBC One from 5:45pm (GMT).
Highlights will be shown at 10:30pm on BBC One.
Player to watch…
Gonzalo Higuain: The former Real Madrid striker signed on-loan from Juventus until the end of the season, with an option to extend the loan for another season for £15.6 million, or buy him permanently for £31.3 million.
The 31-year-old played under Sarri at Napoli, and the Italian manager will be hoping the Argentinian hits the ground running, with Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud both struggling for form.
Form guide…
Chelsea: DWLWLW
Sheffield Wednesday: DDDLWW
Odds…
Chelsea to win: 2/9
Sheffield Wednesday to win: 21/2
Draw: 27/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
37 minutes
Sam Hutchinson replicates his penalty challenge, this time in midfield on Jorginho.
That's even higher on the ankle. Lucky to escape the game's first booking.
38 minutes
Morgan Fox does not. Callum Hudson-Odoi again, ahem, foxes him with his footwork and is brought to floor.
Andre Marriner finally goes to his pocket.
39 minutes
For a second time Gonzalo Higuain shows his instincts to breach the offside trap, but for a second time his touch somewhat lets him down and Sheffield Wednesday recover.
Promising signs, however. Certainly showing more as a runner beyond the defence than either Alvaro Morata or Olivier Giroud have this season.
42 minutes
I'm beginning to think that 6pm on a Sunday is not a fantastic time to play a game of football. A perfunctory nature to the support from the Chelsea fans, and the Sheffield Wednesday fans have lost their vigour with their team behind.
Just the two shots on target so far, one for each side.
45 + 1 minutes
A lovely switch of play from Willian to Callum Hudson-Odoi, who comes inside and finds the overlapping Cesar Azplicueta, who has his cross blocked behind.
Last chance of the half.
Two penalties given, only one confirmed. A half lacking in action other than two incidents separated by just 162 seconds, the second of which resulted in Willian slotting home the opener. 1-0 to the hosts.
Another positive outing for VAR thus far, with a perfectly good tackle from Ethan Ampadu that otherwise would have been penalised rewarded.
But is it right, particularly on a weekend with one game so prominently decided by a goal scored with an arm, that some games have the technology in place and some don't? If it cannot be implemented at every ground at this stage, should it be used at all, even if correct decisions are reached?
A quiet first 45 minutes in a Chelsea shirt for Gonzalo Higuain, but he showed some promise with a pair of penetrating gallops in behind.
He hasn't had the best of seasons, but with faith and love from Maurizio Sarri, Miguel Delaney believes he can be the answer to their striking problems:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments