Lukaku seals Chelsea comeback at Luton

Chelsea weathered a tumultuous evening off the pitch and an early Luton onslaught to twice come from behind and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 fifth-round victory at Kenilworth Road.

Roman Abramovich confirmed his intention to sell Chelsea an hour before kick-off, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the seismic news unsettled Thomas Tuchel’s side, who were behind after 102 seconds as Reece Burke’s glancing header gave Luton the dream start.

Chelsea settled as the half progressed and deservedly drew level when Saul Niguez curled home a fine equaliser (27), but back roared Luton as Harry Cornick rounded off a brilliant team goal to restore the hosts’ lead five minutes before the break.

Tuchel sent his Chelsea players out for the second half early and, with instructions clearly still ringing in their ears, they responded as Timo Werner levelled the tie for the second time (68) before Romelu Lukaku’s 15th goal of the season (78) finally saw off Luton’s spirited challenge and booked a place in the last eight.

More to follow.

What’s next?

Chelsea travel to Burnley in the Premier League and Luton visit Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday at 3pm.