Romelu Lukaku scored for Chelsea in a 5-1 FA Cup third-round victory over minor league Chesterfield on Saturday — his first goal since upsetting manager Thomas Tuchel in a television interview.
Lukaku struck in the 20th minute to put his side 3-0 up after goals by Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi had put the European champions in control at Stamford Bridge.
Andreas Christensen made it 4-0 before half-time and Hakim Ziyech scored from the spot in the second half before Chesterfield’s travelling fans were rewarded with a consolation goal for Akwasi Asante.
Record signing Lukaku was dropped for last Sunday’s Premier League draw with Liverpool after comments he made in an interview recorded three weeks ago, saying he was not happy with his role at the club and would like to return to Inter Milan.
After holding clear-the-air talks with Tuchel he returned for the League Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
Tuchel made several changes to his Chelsea side as he juggled a hectic schedule and Covid-19 infections, giving debuts to keeper Marcus Bettinelli and youngster Lewis Hall.
But his side were still too strong for Chesterfield as Chelsea made it 24 wins in a row in the FA Cup third round.
“I’m happy with the attitude and how we started,” said Tuchel. “We started strong and decided the match very early. This is what we wanted.”
Chesterfield manager James Rowe said Asante’s goal gave the club something special to remember. “Great to get the goal at the end for us and the supporters and what a proud day to be a Spireite,” he said.
“Half-time was about recollecting our thoughts. We focused at halftime and drew the second half 1-1.”
Racist abuse
Police are investigating racist abuse directed towards pundit Ashley Cole during Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Swindon Town FC, the fourth-tier club said. Swindon condemned the abuse and apologised to Cole, who was at the County Ground in Swindon on Friday as part of broadcaster ITV’s presentation team.
Cole made 107 appearances for England and won multiple honours during his time with top-flight clubs Arsenal and Chelsea. “We are absolutely saddened and deeply disgusted by this, and we cannot stress strongly enough that racial abuse of any kind will not be tolerated by Swindon Town Football Club,” Swindon owner Clem Morfuni said in a statement.
