Chelsea FC advanced to the 4th round of the FA Cup after a comfortable 2-0 win against Scunthorpe United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with academy youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s first senior goal the highlight of the match
Although Chelsea FC fans were shocked to see what was essentially a full-strength side named by Guus Hiddink for the FA Cup 3rd round clash against third-division Scunthorpe United, Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s 45-minute appearance and first senior goal did appease many on social media.
The Blues’ interim manager named the likes of Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Baba Rahman and Bertrand Traoré on the bench for the match, causing supporters to question when the club’s younger players would ever be given a chance. However, a few were able to see the logic behind the decision — Hiddink evidently intends to go all-out to win the competition.
A slightly fortuitous goal from Diego Costa — his 4th in the last 3 games in all competitions — gave the home side the lead in the first half, before 19-year-old Loftus-Cheek killed the game with a sweet left-footed strike in the bottom right corner of Luke Daniels’ goal.
Here is some of the best Twitter reaction from the game:
Been with us since he was 8. Today must have been a right buzz for Loftus-Cheek.
— Will Dubey (@willd268) January 10, 2016
Great look of personal triumph on Loftus-Cheek’s face after netting that goal. Hopefully many more to come from him. — Dan Levene (@danlevene) January 10, 2016
Forget your Zidane we’ve got our Loftus-Cheek.
— Thibauted (@Thibauted) January 10, 2016
Fantastic there from Loftus Cheek. Lampardesque moment. The passion after he scored as well. Love him. — ChelseaFansChannel (@ChelseaFansYT) January 10, 2016
Huge congrats to Ruben Loftus-Cheek! First goal of many more to come. #cfc
— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) January 10, 2016
Brilliant. So happy for loftus cheek. — Aakash. (@aakash21_cfc) January 10, 2016
Video: Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s goal. @rubey_lcheek #cfc https://t.co/xyflqfKOac
— Mourinholic (@Mourinholic) January 10, 2016
I’m all for taking the FA Cup seriously, but if Loftus-Cheek was in that midfield ahead of Cesc/Rami would we be much worse off? — ParkedTheBus (@ParkedTheBus) January 10, 2016
Would anyone argue if I said that Kenedy, Traore, Loftus-Cheek, Rahman and Bamford would each be the best player in League One? #CFC
— Grant James (@GrantJames_CFC) January 10, 2016
Terry, Courtois & Hazard the only seniors rested. No start for Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy or Traore against League One opposition — Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) January 10, 2016
Oh dear……… if the youth cant start this game then I don’t even know what to say anymore…… #cfc
— Feroze Ali (@feroze17) January 10, 2016