toptop
Chelsea
advanced into the fourth round of the FA Cup after an incident-filled penalty
shoot-out win over Norwich that saw both Pedro and Alvaro Morata sent off and
confusion over the Video Assistant Referee system.
Both sides hit the bar in the first half before Michy Batshuayi broke the
deadlock in the 55th minute, scoring Chelsea's first goal in nearly six hours.
However, after Josh Murphy struck the post and Willy Caballero denied James
Maddison, Norwich levelled deep into injury-time when Jamal Lewis headed in from
Timm Klose's cross.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Caballero (8), Azpilicueta (7), David Luiz (6), Ampadu
(6), Zappacosta (6), Bakayoko (6), Drinkwater (6), Kenedy (7), Willian (8),
Batshuayi (5), Pedro (5)
Subs: Christensen (5), Hazard (5), Kante (5), Morata (4)
Norwich: Gunn (8), Pinto (7), Zimmermann (7), Hanley (7), Klose
(7), Lewis (8), Reed (7), Vrancic (7), Maddison (7), Murphy (6), Oliveira (6)
Subs: Hoolahan (5), Tettey (5), Cantwell (6), Stiepermann (5)
Man of the match: Willy Caballero
A frenetic period of extra-time saw both Pedro and substitute Morata sent off -
with both players booked for diving - and uncertainty over the VAR system as
Chelsea had several penalty appeals turned down by referee Graham Scott and
seemingly not referred.
Eventually, the Premier League side did secure a fourth-round tie against
Newcastle after scoring all five of their penalties in the shoot-out and
Caballero saving from Nelson Oliveira, but much of the post-match discussion is
likely to be about the use of VAR rather than Chelsea's victory.
After kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes to transport issues, Chelsea started
with positive intent as Danny Drinkwater, Willian and Cesar Azpilicueta went
close. Angus Gunn then tipped a dipping strike from Drinkwater onto the bar.
However, Norwich grew into the game and Oliveira also hit the bar after a
terrible backpass from Batshuayi.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 55th minute when Batshuayi finished
from Kenedy's low cross.
Norwich hit the post through Murphy and saw Maddison brilliantly denied by
Caballero, but, after Morata went close to scoring a second for Chelsea, the
visitors levelled deep into injury-time when Lewis glanced in a header from
Klose's left-wing cross.
That was far from the end of the drama as Willian was booked for diving in the
box in extra-time and the referee appeared not to consult VAR, even though
replays suggested he might have been clipped.
Gunn saved twice in quick succession from Willian and Morata before Pedro was
sent off for a second booking.
Morata followed him down in the tunnel late in extra-time after being booked for
diving in the area and then protesting the decision, with the referee again not
seemingly going to the VAR for the incident.
Despite finishing the game with nine men, Chelsea held their nerve in the
shoot-out as Caballero saved Norwich's first attempt from Oliveira and the hosts
all scored five of their penalties to advance.
Man of the match - Willy Caballero
Gunn was excellent for Norwich, and kept them in the game with several key
stops, but Caballero was the hero for Chelsea. Not only did he save in the
shoot-out, but he also made a brilliant save to deny Maddison in the second
half.
What's next?
Chelsea are live on Sky Sports twice over the next week as they host Brighton in
the Premier League on Saturday and then go to Arsenal for the second leg of
their Carabao Cup semi-final next Wednesday. Norwich are at home on Saturday as
they host Sheffield United in the Sky Bet Championship.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Caballero, Azpilicueta (c), Luiz, Ampadu (Christensen
81), Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Drinkwater (Hazard 100), Kenedy (Kante 86), Willian,
Pedro, Batshuayi (Morata 81)
Subs Not Used Eduardo, Sterling, Musonda
Booked Pedro, Willian, Morata
Sent Off Pedro 117, Morata 120
Goals Batshuayi 55
Norwich City Gunn, Ivo Pinto (c) (Tetty 116), Zimmermann,
Hanley (Cantwell 86) (Stiepermann 120), Klose, Lewis, Reed (Hoolahan 82),
Vrancic, Maddison, Oliveira, Murphy
Subs Not Used McGovern, Husband, Raggett
Booked Maddison
Goals Lewis 90
Attendance 39,684
Referee Graham Scott