Shrewsbury vs. Chelsea: Score, Grades and Reaction from Capital One Cup Game
Chelsea avoided a potential banana skin by claiming a 2-1 win at Shrewsbury in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.
The Premier League leaders were drawn against the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition, which threw up the prospect of a shock.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho sent out a number of star names, showing he was aware of the threat, and Didier Drogba gave the Blues the lead.
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Shrewsbury responded with a goal from substitute Andy Mangan that thrilled the home crowd, but an own goal from Jermaine Grandison nine minutes from time sent Chelsea through.
Chelsea carved out the first opening as Shrewsbury failed to clear a corner, but Oscar missed his kick at the back post, and the chance went begging.
Shrewsbury brought the crowd to life on four minutes with a rapid break that owed more to buccaneering spirit than skill. The move forced a corner, and Petr Cech had to plunge to his left to keep out a header from Nathaniel Knight-Percival.
The opening salvo led to a decent period for the lower-league side, with Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro showing he had the pace to test the Chelsea defence by dashing on to a long ball.
Akpro got to the ball on the byline and cut a cross back into the box, but Cech raced off his line to gather.
"Like seeing lower league teams getting in the face of bigger clubs. Shrewsbury battling for everythjng, making #CFC earn the right to win.
— Garry Hayes (@garryhayes) October 28, 2014"
Chelsea's first strike on goal arrived on nine minutes, but Andre Schurrle's effort was hardly worthy of the tag as Shrews 'keeper Jayson Leutwiler gathered with ease.
A rapid Chelsea move, triggered by a glorious ball from deep from Drogba for Mohamed Salah, fashioned the Blues' best chance of the opening 45 minutes.
Salah drove into the Shrewsbury box and stood up a cross for Schurrle. The ball invited a header on goal, but the Germany international elected to nod the ball in the general direction of Oscar, and it was the wrong choice as the home side cleared.
Drogba had an effort ruled out for offside toward the end of the first half, but there was no such reprieve for the Shrews on 48 minutes.
Salah's first half was littered with wasted shots, but he turned provider for Drogba for the opener with a glorious cushioned pass. The Ivorian needed no second invitation, as he strode on to the ball and stroked a shot beyond Leutwiler.
"Mourinho clearly had a word at the break. New half, new mood. Schurrle to Salah to Drogba, 1-0. Feed the Drog and he will score. 1-0 to #cfc
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) October 28, 2014"
Leutwiler had no chance with the Drogba goal, but he kept his side in the contest with a brilliant diving save to tip over a powerful, swerving drive from Schurrle.
Shrewsbury had a massive chance to get back into the contest on 56 minutes. A free-kick into the Chelsea box caused panic. The ball fell to Akpro, whose shot hit his team-mate James Collins and bounced a foot wide of the target.
Set pieces always looked like being the home side’s best chance of a goal, and that proved their route back into the match on 77 minutes.
Grandison climbed to meet a corner and his header bounced off John Obi Mikel into the path of Mangan. And, a mere 90 seconds after climbing off the bench, he fired a shot high into the net to level the scores.
Mourinho responded with a couple of substitutions—Willian and Nemanja Matic—and they did the trick on 81 minutes.
Willian galloped down the left to collect a pass from Oscar and cut back inside on to his right foot to deliver a wicked cross into the box.
With Drogba lurking behind, Grandison attempted to clear but contrived to turn the ball into his own net to send Chelsea through.
The Capital One Cup is at the bottom of Chelsea's priorities this season, but the side Mourinho sent out at New Meadow in no way devalued the competition. The Portuguese could have fielded a raft of youngsters, but he blended the likes of Nathan Ake and Kurt Zouma with Blues greats Cech and Drogba.
Mourinho would far rather have a Premier League or Champions League trophy in his cabinet come the end of the season, but the way is open for a deep run in the Capital One Cup, and if he continues to field this sort of side, the Blues will be tough to stop.
Grades
Mohamed Salah: C-
The Egyptian is still to convince in a Chelsea shirt, and he hardly pressed his claims against Shrewsbury. There was no lack of effort, but he appeared anxious as shot after shot went wide. He did tee up Drogba’s goal, but he has to do more.
Filipe Luis: B+
The Brazilian has not yet nailed down the left-back slot, but it must surely be a matter of time. Once again Luis delivered a polished display.
Didier Drogba: B
Drogba now has goals in three straight games following his header against Manchester United. It was not an easy night for the veteran against a spirited Shrewsbury defence, but he never shirked the issue at any stage.
Kurt Zouma: B+
Chelsea clearly rate Zouma highly, and he’s feeling his way into life in England. He has fond memories of the Capital One Cup, as his debut for the club was capped with a goal—against Bolton—and he delivered a solid display to help his side advance.
Reaction
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