Chelsea vs Plymouth LIVE REACTION: Blues THROUGH after extra-time in FA Cup as Argyle MISS late penalty – latest

That’s all from Stamford Bridge

We were so close to having consecutive FA Cup upsets having witnessed Manchester United go crashing out via the penalty route courtesy of Middlesbrough, but Chelsea were able to eventually show why they have only failed to progress from the fourth round twice since 2003.

The Plymouth supporters turned up in numbers this afternoon and all 6,000 of them had something to shout about when Macauley Gillesphey nodded home Jordon Houghton’s set-piece ten minutes into the game.

But four minutes before the interval, Cesar Azpilicueta popped up with an exquisite flick beating man of the match Michael Cooper at his near-post. I had no idea the Spanish captain had that in his locker.

Cooper made for conceding a goal by pulling off some magnificent saves which helped his side drag the European champions into extra-time, however substitute Marcos Alonso came off the bench to get himself on the scoresheet on the 106^th minute.

Just as the visitors looked down and out, there was time for one last twist in the tale when Ryan Hardie earned himself a penalty due to a costly error from Malang Sarr, but the Plymouth forward who I had been keeping a close eye on, failed to keep his composure and watched his effort being gobbled up by Kepa which led to Chelsea going through.

Thank you for tuning in people, it has been a fantastic FA Cup tie today and I hope the rest are all the same. Enjoy your Saturday!

All 5th round draw updates

The FA Cup 5^th round draw will is scheduled take place on Sunday 6^th February ahead of the clash between Liverpool and Cardiff starting at approximately 11:40am UK time. It will be broadcasted on ITV but we will have every single update on who draws who here live on SunSport.

All 5^th round encounters will be played on the week commencing 28^th Feb provided there are no last minute alterations.

Below are the 5^th round draw numbers:

1. Crystal Palace or Hartlepool United
2. AFC Bournemouth or Boreham Wood
3. Huddersfield Town or Barnsley
4. Peterborough United or Queens Park Rangers
5. Cambridge United or Luton Town
6. Southampton or Coventry City
7. Chelsea
8. Everton or Brentford
9. West Ham United
10. Middlesbrough
11. Tottenham Hotspur or Brighton & Hove Albion
12. Liverpool or Cardiff City
13. Stoke City or Wigan Athletic
14. Nottingham Forest or Leicester City
15. Manchester City or Fulham
16. Wolverhampton Wanderers or Norwich City

Chelsea vs Plymouth match report

If for some strange reason you didn’t manage to catch the live blog this afternoon and you want to find out all the main talking points…

CLICK HERE FOR THE MATCH REPORT

You won’t be disappointed as there is so much to discuss.

What next for Plymouth Argyle

The Pilgrims will have to dust themselves down and continue their travels because up next for Steven Schumacher’s men is a league trip to the Mornflake Stadium where they’ll be taking on Crewe Alexander.

Plymouth then roll out the red carpet for Shrewsbury Town the following weekend before concluding February with another tough home fixture against league leaders Rotherham.

But prior to that, the Argyle’s are pencilled in for back-to-back away outings firstly to relegation fighters Gillingham and then to Cambridge United only three days later.

Coming up for the Blues

Thomas Tuchel will not be pleased to see his side get taken all the way to extra-time this afternoon because Chelsea have a busy schedule during February starting with their two-legged tie in the Club World Cup on the 9^th and 12^th of this month.

The Blues were supposed to welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge during that time but instead, five days after their Club World Cup semi-final second leg, Tuchel’s men travel south of the river to play Crystal Palace.

Once those three games are out of the way, this is where it really gets intriguing for the west London outfit because they have two huge consecutive matches.

First up, it is Lille in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 and then Chelsea are off to Wembley to take on Liverpool in the final of the Carabao Cup.

Man of the match award

Despite being on the losing side, Plymouth keeper Michael Cooper had an outstanding game and had it not of been for him, the Greens would have lost that tie by a much bigger margin.

The 22-year-old pulled off save after save which is evident by the statistic of Chelsea only scoring twice with more than ten shots on target.

I hate to say it Argyle supporters but a big club will snatch him up one day because the youngster has got some talent.

Read up on the stats

The statistics doesn’t tell the full story because although Chelsea controlled large periods with the ball and had 41 shots at goal, the visitors created some good chances of their own and did very well to take the Blues down to the wire.

It’s just a shame that they weren’t able to hold out for a penalty shoot-out but Plymouth can still be proud.

Kepa loves keeping them out

Chelsea have one man to thank for saving the embarrassment of going into a penalty shoot-out with League One side Plymouth Argyle and his name is Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The most expensive keeper in footballing history has performed excellently since filling the void of Edouard Mendy who is on international duty with Senegal.

Many doubted Kepa due to making costly mistakes in the past and when Edouard Mendy was recruited in September of 2020 it seemed as if the Spaniard had no hope of playing for the Blues again.

But finally he has got his chance today Kepa proved that he can grab the opportunity with both hands, literally.

Full time after extra time – Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth

So after the visitors displayed so much passion, fight and determination, Plymouth have nothing to show for it as they go crashing out of the FA Cup courtesy of Marcos Alonso’s 106th minute goal.

However, the Pilgrims can go home holding their heads up high knowing that they took the champions of Europe right down to the wire.

Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth

ET 120+1. The Blues are playing keep ball which is sucking the life out of Plymouth Argyle who have given it all they have.

It seems as if this should be enough for Chelsea to see it out and go through.

Final two minutes have been added!

Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth

ET 117. Mistakes at the back led to Ryan Hardie going through on goal and in a desperate attempt to win the ball, Malang Sarr tripped up the Plymouth forward resulting in Simon Hooper gave the penalty.

However, Kepa dived the right way and denied the Pilgrims top goal scorer to add to his tally and become a Greens hero.

Kepa has saved it! Horrible moment for Hardie!

It has been given! Ryan Hardie has the chance to level it up!

VAR are having a look…

Penalty to Plymouth! That was terrible defending!

Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth – Blues sub

ET 112. The Blues skipper seems to have pulled his hamstring and has signaled to the bench for a change because he cannot battle on any further.

• Cesar Azpilicueta – OFF
• Trevoh Chalobah – ON

Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth – Triple block!

ET 109. Ryan Hardie had three desperate shots on goal to try and get his side back into this contest but Malang Sarr was determined for it not to happen.

How none of those attempts even tested Kepa is bizzare

Magnificent Marcos on the scene

Marcos Alonso’s strike puts the Blues in front to the despair of Plymouth Argyle supporters who have woken up from 3am to get here today.

Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth

ET 107. Kepa was blocked off from making contact with the ball but the Chelsea keeper was able to tip the ball away.

Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth

ET 107. The Greens have earned themselves a corner.

They are not going to go down without a fight.

Second half of extra time – Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth

For the last time this afternoon, Simon Hooper blows his whistle to initiate kick-off.

Is there going to be more twist in the tale?

Half time of extra time – Chelsea 2-1 Plymouth

The Pilgrims have conceded at the worst time possible, just before the interval at extra time but it was a lovely goal by the home side.

Saul and Timo Werner connected brilliantly before the German international found Marcos Alonso free in the box who tapped it home leaving Michael Cooper with no chance.

The goal has been given!

VAR are checking…