Chelsea see off Sheffield Wednesday on Gonzalo Higuain debut
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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)
90 + 1 minutes
Christian Benteke battles hard and wins a corner from the free kick.
90 + 2 minutes
Time disappearing, and Christian Benteke will take the booking as he drags back a Tottenham player.
Kieran Trippier launches the free kick long, but it drifts right the way through the Crystal Palace box and hops out of play.
90 + 3 minutes
Wilfried Zaha joins the growing list of those cautioned.
Worth remembering that just two bookings will earn a one-match suspension in this season's competition. These innocuous yellows could yet cost Crystal Palace later on in the tournament, but for now they only secure the win...
A final defensive header signals the blowing of Kevin Friend's whistle, and Tottenham have been knocked out of both cup competitions in a week. A professional home win for Crystal Palace, goals from Connor Wickham and Andros Townsend securing a 2-0 victory as Kieran Trippier misses from the spot.
We now switch out attentions to Chelsea against Sheffield Wednesday, which is only a matter of minutes away in a tightly-packed evening of FA Cup football.
Big news from the Chelsea starting lineup - Callum Hudson-Odoi starts despite handing in a transfer request this weekend as he looks to force a move to Bayern Munich. Gonzalo Higuain makes his Chelsea debut from the start, too, while there is also an opportunity for Ethan Ampadu in the Jorginho-role at the base of midfield.
On to the pitch come the players at Stamford Bridge. Sheffield Wednesday are managed by caretaker Steve Agnew for the final time this evening with Steve Bruce's arrival imminent at the start of February.
The incoming manager has spent the week enjoying the cricket in Barbados. Pleasant, though perhaps not after watching England's performance.
Can his new side produce a shock this evening? They are struggling somewhat in the Championship so far this season, but have seen a recent uptick in form.
Wednesday are without Chelsea loanee Michael Hector but in experienced campaigners Steven Fletcher, Barry Bannan and George Boyd can trouble their Premier League opponents.
1 minutes
Bright start from Sheffield Wednesday, Adam Reach testing Willy Caballero after Mateo Kovacic is hounded and dispossessed in his own half by Barry Bannan.
Enough of a touch from Andreas Christensen to make it comfortable for Caballero.
3 minutes
It is a clear 4-5-1 from Sheffield Wednesday, with George Boyd on the left and Adam Reach on the right alongside a midfield three.
Customary formation for Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea. Ethan Ampadu sitting deepest in midfield, Willian left and Callum Hudson-Odoi right of Gonzalo Higuain in the front three.
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