Chelsea continued its resurgence under Guus Hiddink with a 2-0 home victory against League One club, Scunthorpe FC in a third Round of English FA Cup on Sunday.
Goals from Diego Costa and teenager, Reuben Loftus-Cheek ensured the Blues avoided a similar embarrassment to last season’s stunning 4-2 FA Cup defeat at home to Bradford City.
The Spanish international opened the scoring, his fourth goals in three matches, in the 13th minute with a deft touch from a BranislavIvanovic cross.
Although, the visitors rallied well in the second half and had a legitimate penalty claim denied when Ramires appeared to trip Kevin van Veen, the victory was sealed when the 19-year-old Loftus-Cheek struck his first Chelsea goal from Cesar Azpilicueta’s low centre in the 68 minutes.
Scunthorpe were denied a consolation goal when fullback Jordan Clarke’s fierce shot struck the post, with Hiddink declaring it a hard-fought victory for his rejuvenating team.
“It was not an easy game,” said the Dutch gaffer, who is hoping to repeat his feat of 2009 by winning the FA Cup as Chelsea’s interim manager.
Hiddink has been unbeaten in four games since taking charge again after Jose Mourinho was sacked last month and has revealed that Diego Costa was “doubtful” for Wednesday’s EPL home game against West Bromwich Albion.
By Olisemeka Obeche