Gallagher's late strike sends Chelsea through to the next round
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Chelsea through to the next round || Imago

Gallagher's late strike sends Chelsea through to the next round

Stephen Oladehinde 22:58 - 28.02.2024

Chelsea secured a hard-fought victory over Leeds in the fifth round of the FA Cup and sealed a place in the next round.

The Blues were coming from a defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and were looking to return to winning ways.

However, they got past Leeds United, defeating them 3-2, thanks to a late strike from Conor Gallagher.

As it happened

Chelsea made five changes from the side that began the 1-0 Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool on Sunday as defender Trevoh Chalobah makes his first start of the season after recovering from injury.

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Leeds also changed five players from the team that won 3-1 against Championship leaders Leicester on Friday with starts for Connor Roberts, Liam Cooper, Jaidon Anthony, Daniel James and Mateo Joseph.

Chelsea got the game underway but it was Leeds who took the lead. The Blue tried playing out from a goal kick but Axel Disasi who tried to find Moises Caicedo was caught in possession and a loose ball fell to Mateo Joseph, who drilled home. 

The Blues equalised shortly after conceding the first goal from a one-touch play when Moises Caicedo fed the ball through for Nicolas Jackson in the right channel.

He took an early shot and it goes through the legs of Illan Meslier at the near post and into the back of the net.

Conor Gallagher scores late to seal Chelsea's win || Imago
Conor Gallagher scores late to seal Chelsea's win || Imago

Pochettino’s men took the lead before the break when Malo Gusto fed Raheem Sterling in down the right and his cross found Mykhailo Mudryk, who swept brilliantly into the far corner.

The second half started and it was Leed who looked the brighter side. Their pressure paid off in the 59th minute when Jaidon Anthony, on the left wing clipped over a delicious cross to Mateo Joseph at the back post.

The cross does all the hard work and Joseph just guided it across Robert Sanchez and into the far corner.

Chelsea then pushed for the winner which came in injury time when Conor Gallagher drifted into space between Liam Cooper and Junior Firpo and turned before lifting over Illan Meslier to seal the win for the Blues.

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