Luton vs Chelsea LIVE: FA Cup result and final score as Lukaku and Werner seal comeback after Abramovich news
Follow all the reaction from the fifth round tie at Kenilworth Road after the Chelsea owner announced the club is up for sale
Follow all the reaction Chelsea came from behind to beat Luton and advance to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup thanks to late goals from Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku. The Championship side threatened a shock after taking a 2-1 lead into half-time, but Chelsea turned it around in the second half to claim a victory on what had been a significant day in the club’s history.
It comes as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich announced his intention to sell the club, news that was released one hour before kick-off at Kenilworth Road. In a statement, Abramovich said: “I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea. As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club’s sponsors and partners.”
In Abramovich’s statement, the Russian billionaire said he will not “be asking for any loans to be repaid”, adding the sale of the club will not be “fast-tracked”. He added: “I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss claimed he has been offered the chance to buy Chelsea while an American-based merchant bank has reportedly contacted potential buyers.
Follow live coverage of Luton vs Chelsea, plus reaction to tonight’s breaking news, below:
Roman Abramovich confirms intention to sell Chelsea
Romelu Lukaku seals Chelsea’s FA Cup comeback against Luton amid Roman Abramovich exit
‘It’s his choice and his club’: Thomas Tuchel stands by Roman Abramovich’s decision to put Chelsea up for sale
Conor McGregor tells Chelsea he’s interested in buying club from Roman Abramovich
Luton 1-1 Chelsea
37 mins: That was almost a bad moment for Isted, though. A long ball forward dropped awkwardly on the edge of the box and he tried to clear with his head, but missed. Lukaku and Werner were lurking but it didn’t fall to them.
Luton 1-1 Chelsea
34 mins: Another good save from Isted! Jorginho frees Mount down the right and the ball is cut back to Lukaku on the edge of the area. The striker looks for corner with his right foot but the goalkeeper is equal to it.
Luton 1-1 Chelsea
30 mins: Chances! Saul should score after good play from Mount to turn in midfield. Isted spreads his legs to turn the ball wide. From the corner, he then dives to save Kenedy’s strike from the angle.
Luton 1-1 Chelsea
“You’re having a laugh, Champions of Europe, you’re having a laugh,” sing the Luton fans. They will have taken 1-1 after 30 minutes but Chelsea are well on top now following the hosts’ lively start.
GOAL! Luton 1-1 Chelsea (SAUL 27’)
Chelsea are level - and it’s Saul who has his first Chelsea goal! Luton gave it away in midfield and were quickly punished. The Blues came forward through Werner and the ball was passed off to Saul, who opened his body to guide a shot into the far corner.
Luton 1-0 Chelsea
25 mins: Another corner for Luton is cleared by Rudiger - but those set-piece situations are causing uncertainty in the Chelsea defence.
Luton then cross the ball into the box following a well-worked throw in, but Kepa gathers Potts’ header.
Luton 1-0 Chelsea
23 mins: Better from Chelsea. Hudson-Odoi and Mount combine on the right and Mount whips a ball in towards the back post. Saul arrives on a late run but his header towards the front post is easily saved by Isted.
Luton 1-0 Chelsea
20 mins: The Luton fans cheer as a long ball goes up to Lukaku but drifts over his head. Chelsea still appear to be trying to play to the striker as if he is a target man.
Luton 1-0 Chelsea
16 mins: Rudiger spins a ball towards Lukaku and it breaks to Werner, although hanging awkwardly in the air. Isted doesn’t come for it but is eventually able to gather after Werner didn’t attack the ball.
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