Chelsea FC vs Plymouth LIVE!
Chelsea suffered an FA Cup fourth-round scare on Saturday when they had to come from behind and needed extra time and a penalty save to beat League One Plymouth with goals from Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.
Plymouth shocked the Premier League side when defender Macaulay Gillesphey nodded the ball home from a free-kick in the eighth minute, sparking wild celebration and a shower of green balloons from the travelling fans.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel had tested positive for Covid-19 and missed the game while his expensively assembled squad looked rusty and heavy-footed after a fortnight’s break.
Chelsea hit the woodwork three times in the first-half, twice through Mateo Kovacic and again through Callum Hudson-Odoi but Plymouth’s well drilled defence kept the European champions at bay until the 41st minute when quality told. Azpilicueta scored with a neat backheel from a low Mason Mount cross.
Plymouth absorbed waves of Chelsea attacks in the second-half and extra-time, and last-ditch defending as well as inspired goalkeeping from Mike Cooper kept the hosts out until the 16th minute of extra-time.
Alonso broke the deadlock when he got on the end of a pass from Kai Havertz and swept the ball in and with five minutes to go. Yet more drama was on its way as Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a penalty from Ryan Hardie.
