Gallagher keeps his nerve as Chelsea show backbone

This time nobody could accuse them of being "blue billion-pound bottle jobs". Chelsea answered the questions about their character at the decisive moment, Enzo Fernández finally accepting responsibility and producing a lovely assist for Conor Gallagher to send them through to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

- Jacob Steinberg

Chelsea 3

Jackson 15, Mudryk 37, Gallagher 90

Leeds 2

Joseph 8 59

Yet this was far from convincing. Edgy after their extra-time defeat against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea could not have complained if Leeds had gone through to face Leicester. The visitors were superior for long spells and the worry for Mauricio Pochettino will be that his side are still crying out for an identity. Even the home fans at a sullen Stamford Bridge had to admit that the Championship team played the slicker football.

The first meeting between these sides in this competition since the 1970 final began with Chelsea struggling to rid themselves of the lethargy that afflicted them against Liverpool. For Pochettino, who prides himself on loud and energetic football, it must have stung to see such timidity against second-tier opposition. He would wait patiently for Chelsea to remember that they had £220m worth of talent in midfield.