Chelsea of ngland’s Nigerian-born stiker, Tammy Abraham has disclosed that he is truly delighted after netting his fourth goal in this season’s English FA Cup, as he notched home against Barnsley on Thursday, megasportsarena.com reports.
Abraham’s fourth FA Cup goal of the season helped Chelsea edge past their unexpectedly impressive lower division opponents, and The Blues were able to win only 1-0 to set up a quarter-final tie against Sheffield United.
Before Thursday’s feat, Abraham had scored a hat-trick against Luton Town in the fourth round – in what proved to be Frank Lampard’s final game in charge – and found the net again with a close-range finish in the 64th minute, which proved to be Chelsea’s only shot on target.
Barnsley began well and tested Kepa inside 10 minutes. Alex Mowatt gave Callum Hudson-Odoi the slip on the left before lofting a cross into the area.
Conor Chaplin headed it on with Brittain waiting inside the six-yard box, but his flicked effort was saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper at close range.
The lower division outfit pushed their Englis Premier League opponents all the way, particularly in the first half, managing 14 shots to Chelsea’s six.
Callum Brittain forced a reaction save from Kepa Arrizabalaga early on before Abraham cleared a flicked effort from Michael Sollbauer off the line as the hosts piled on the pressure in the final 15 minutes.
Barnsley made one change from the side that drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest. Dominik Frieser dropped to the bench and was replaced by Victor Adeboyejo.
While Adeboyejo got a game mrating of six and Dike notched seven for Barnsley, Abraham ended as man of the match with eight and Faustino Anjorin rceived six, as With no VAR in use at Oakwell, Chelsea then had two penalty calls turned down.
The first saw Toby Sibbick sweep at the feet of Abraham, but Martin Atkinson waved away the claims, yet Abraham was involved again soon after, going to ground after a tussle with Mads Andersen, but that was also dismissed.
With the last kick of the half, Barnsley could have taken the lead with a well-worked corner that almost caught Chelsea out.
Mowatt’s delivery was sent back into the area by Chaplin for the waiting Brittain, but Adeboyejo unwittingly deflected the latter’s shot inches past the post.
Chelsea eventually broke the deadlock as Billy Gilmour slotted James through on the right flank and the full-back delivered a fierce, low cross into the area which Abraham turned home from close range.
Abraham then showed off his defensive prowess as Barnsley refused to go quietly. Mowatt fired in a wonderful free kick, which Sollbauer flicked on with his first touch of the game.
However, Abraham was on the line to see the ball onto the top of the net with a header and then cleared the resulting corner.
Barnsley continued to push for what would have been a deserved equaliser, with Kepa making a late save from Michal Helik’s ricocheted header off of Emerson, but Chelsea managed to scrap their way into the quarter-finals.
A technical report of the game by Sky Spots added: “Chelsea would not have made it into the last eight without Abraham at both ends. Of course, he scored the winner with a well-taken tap-in, but his contribution in defence in the final minutes of the game should not be underestimated.
“His goal-line clearance was vital, as was his clearance from the corner after. They are just two examples of some superb defending from a player who is turning into a bit of an FA Cup goal machine.
“Abraham has been involved in nine goals in his last seven starts in the FA Cup (6 goals, 3 assists) and since the start of last season, has scored 30 goals for Chelsea in all competitions – at least 11 more than any other player at the club.”
