Gallagher spares Chelsea blushes as late winner keeps Pochettino in a job

28 February 2024 , 21:42

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Conor Gallagher (R) was the hero for Chelsea with a late winner (Image: PA)

Conor Gallagher was the homegrown hero Chelsea wanted to sell in January.

But Gallagher came to Chelsea’s rescue yet again at Stamford Bridge and might just have saved Mauricio Pochettino’s job in the process. Gallagher hit the 90th minute winner to send Chelsea into the sixth round of the FA Cup after yet another turbulent few days in the never-ending soap opera at this club.

They were branded billionaire bottle jobs after losing the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday which has turned the spotlight on Pochettino. After the comings and goings under Todd Boehly’s reign as Chelsea owner, it would seem incredibly reckless and rash to stop Pochettino trying to build lasting foundations.

And it would seem even more ridiculous for a club to sacrifice one of its own just to balance the books because of all the money wasted in the transfer market. That doubt is still hanging over Gallagher’s future because he will only have 12 months left on his contract in the summer and they might cash in then as they looked to last month.

But if there is one player who represents the madness of it all then it is Gallagher because he wears his heart on his sleeve, is ready to give everything for his boyhood club and is still clearly dreaming of an FA Cup fairytale.

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When Chelsea were flagging and heading towards extra time with their bitter FA Cup foes, it was Gallagher who stepped off the bench after 61 minutes and gave them a second wind. Gallagher missed two late chances against Liverpool but there was no mistake this time as he scored after injecting some much-needed energy and determination into a flagging performance.

Chelsea fans celebrated wildly and they deserve great credit for sticking with their team after the Wembley heartbreak. The only time you ever heard any dissatisfaction was when they booed Raheem Sterling off when he was substituted late on.

Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph celebrates after opening the scoring (Simon Davies/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)

The players also lifted themselves after going behind inside eight minutes as they looked rather hungover from Wembley. They were shambolic and shaky at the back at times. Chelsea team mates Axel Disasi and Moises Caicedo had a mix-up after a goal kick, Jaidon Anthony set up Mateo Joseph and the 20-year-old fired Leeds ahead with his first senior goal.

But Chelsea woke themselves up from their slumber. They put together a slick move on the edge of the box before Caicedo’s through ball released Nicolas Jackson and the Chelsea striker fired home into the far corner. Chelsea were ahead before half time. Malo Gusto’s pass released Sterling and his low cross was perfect for Mykhailo Mudryk and the Chelsea winger slotted home a superb first time effort into the bottom corner.

Nicolas Jackson scores Chelsea's first goal (AFP via Getty Images)

But rather like in extra time at Wembley when Liverpool’s kids took charge, promotion-chasing Leeds also stepped up a gear. They were the better team in the second half as Chelsea ran out of legs after 120 minutes at Wembley.

Leeds levelled as Anthony provided a lovely cross which split the Chelsea defence and there was Joseph again to head home his second of the night. It looked destined for extra time and, if anything, Leeds looked the more likely team to push on through and set up a quarter final with Leicester.

Mykhaylo Mudryk celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal with teammates (Getty Images)

But when Chelsea need a hero, they can always turn to Gallagher. Fernandez drove forward and his pass set up Gallagher to fire home. That was some kind of sweet redemption for Gallagher and may prove his point yet again to Chelsea.

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John Cross