CHELSEA are through to the FA Cup quarter-final after a tight victory at Luton.
Reece Burke stunned Thomas Tuchel’s men to head the Hatters in front after just two minutes.
But Saul Niguez struck an equaliser just after the hour mark.
However, Luton retook the lead when lifelong Blues fan Harry Cornick sprung the offside trap and beat Kepa with a cool finish.
But Chelsea equalised again in the second half with a rare goal from Timo Werner, who latched on to a brilliant long pass from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
And Romelu Lukaku then latched on to a ball from Timo Werner to prod Thomas Tuchel’s men ahead.
Chelsea have been rocked in the build-up to this one by Roman Abramovich’s announcement that he is looking to sell the club.
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FT: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
They created chances, opened their opponents up and gave them a lot to think about during the course of the game.
In the end, Chelsea just had too much quality and managed to weather the Luton storm.
This result helps lift some of the gloom around Stamford Bridge with their expensive striker going some way to repaying his transfer fee.
FT: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
Lukaku and Werner will take confidence from their goals in the tie this evening.
The Chelsea frontmen have had stop/start seasons at best so far.
Both need to use this as a platform for the remainder of their seasons.
FT: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
It was a tough test for Luton to host Chelsea this evening.
Often a wounded animal can be dangerous when cornered.
Chelsea looked much better in their second-half display, doing just enough to edge out The Hatters.
FT: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
It would have been a tough week to take for Chelsea fans had their side not completely turned this game around in the second-half.
After the Carabao Cup final, news of the intended sale of the club and an exit at the hands of Championship Luton Town would have sent Chelsea fans hiding.
Werner and Lukaku silenced their critics for an evening as their goals take Thomas Tuchel towards another final.
FT: Luton 2-3 Chelsea
The referee blows his whistle confirming Chelsea’s progress.
Luton gave us a great FA Cup game here tonight and it could have finished differently had chances been taken.
Tuchel’s words at half-time did the trick for The Blues.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
90+2. Lukaku wins the ball back in his own half and tries to thread it through to Werner.
The only two Luton players back in their own half manage to win possession from the German striker.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
90+1. Well whoever is considering the purchase of the club, it is looking like they will be buying a team in the FA Cup quarter finals.
Chelsea showing their experience, running the clock down in the corners.
Luton challenging hard to try and regain the ball.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
90. It looks like we will have three additional minutes.
Luton despairingly claim a handball when the ball hits James’ stomach.
The referee is not interested, understandably.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
88. After doing so well to go ahead after Chelsea pegged them back the first time, you wonder whether Luton have enough juice in the tank to do it all over again.
If they cannot, it will be Romelu Lukaku’s goal that wins this game tonight.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
86. Luton and their fans will be hoping they can create one last chance before the final whistle here at Kenilworth Road.
Ruben Loftus Cheek is awarded the man of the match award for his performance today at centre-back.
He also provided an assist for Werner in this second-half.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
84. Chelsea need to use their experience now.
Controlling possession and spraying passes around will wear their opponents down and cause them to chase shadows for the final stages of the game.
Lukaku strides towards goal looking for an opening.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
82. Despite having gone behind the home fans continue to sing.
It is just as much of a competition off the pitch as it is on it.
Chelsea win a corner looking for one more goal to kill their opponents off.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
80. We are into the final ten minutes here.
Luton have given it their all here this evening but need one more goal to stay in this season’s FA Cup.
Luton 2-3 Chelsea
78. What a turnaround.
The introduction of James gives Chelsea more options down the right hand side.
The ball is worked to Werner who picks out Lukaku in the box who taps home.
Goal – Chelsea take the lead! (Lukaku)
Luton 2-2 Chelsea
76. Snodgrass and Hylton come on for Luton.
Chelsea are readying some changes too.
Meanwhile it is a corner for Tuchel’s side.
Luton 2-2 Chelsea
74. We haven’t seen much of Pulisic since he replaced Kenedy.
What Chelsea would have hoped was a more attacking substitution.
Werner gets to the byline and tries to find Lukaku but it is blocked and cleared.
Luton 2-2 Chelsea
72. The last thing Chelsea want tonight is another penalty shootout.
Tuchel will want his team to get this won in normal time.
Extra time and especially penalties are the last thing the German needs.
Luton 2-2 Chelsea
70. This could be a long 20 minutes for Luton as Chelsea turn the screw.
The ball is played to Rudiger who seems to think he has one in the locker.
The person sat in row M does not agree.
Luton 2-2 Chelsea
68. Loftus-Cheek with a great ball that just evades the defender.
Werner controls it on his thigh and then slots passed the keeper.
That will do the German’s confidence the world of good.
Goal – Chelsea equalise (Werner)
Luton 2-1 Chelsea
66. Things get a little scrappy and Muskwe gets a yellow card.
A few challenges fly in which Luton feel aggrieved by.
The Hatters player is shown a card for flying in a little too much.,
Luton 2-1 Chelsea
65. Usually in these sorts of games we talk about the lesser team tiring having to keep these levels up against Premier League opposition.
With all the games they have played and the additional fatigue of extra time and penalties at the weekend, Chelsea could be the ones to tire.
Luton 2-1 Chelsea
63. Luton try to press Chelsea back into their own half again.
This time they cannot force the corner they are looking for.
Luton 2-1 Chelsea
60. This would be a massive blow to Chelsea with the day they have had hearing that they are to be sold.
Luton will not offer them an easy way back into this game, they need to work hard to stand any chance.
Both teams decide to utilise some substitutions.
Cameron Jerome comes on for Cornick, Campbell on for Berry.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
