Tuchel pinpoints Chelsea’s major problems after FA Cup ‘struggle’ at Barnsley

Thomas Tuchel admitted Chelsea left Barnsley a “relieved” side after Tammy Abraham rescued their FA Cup hopes at both ends.

The German coach conceded Chelsea “struggled” to cope against a resilient, fighting Yorkshire side and “lacked self-confidence”.

But Abraham set up an FA Cup quarter final against Sheffield United – with a 64 minute goal and a last gasp clearance of Chelsea's line.

The England striker tapped home the winner from Reece James' cross, then nodded clear Michael Sollbauer's volley to keep Chelsea ahead in the dying minutes.

Tuchel said: “Am I relieved. I have to be honest yes. We can stop the analysis now! Chelsea through to the quarter final, full stop!

“We can play better, it is not our best performance.

"It was hard to escape their pressure in our half. We changed at half time. We played better in the second half and we scored a nice goal.

“But after that again, the opponent took risks and played aggressively. We struggled to cope with first challenges and second balls we were way way too deep.

“We were lucky when Tammy saved us with the head on the line. We admit we struggled today and in the cup it is sometimes like this.

"The circumstances were not easy."

Abraham is loving the FA Cup this year, having already got four goals, after his fourth round hattrick against Luton.

Tuchel said: “With his goal you cannot leave out the pass from Billy (Gilmour) or the run from Reecey (James). He was at the end of a good combination. He scored decisive goals in cup games. It is good for him.”

Tuchel made ten changes to the starting line up and added: “We should not expect too much of ourselves. The role of being favourites, the many changes we made, and we lacked rhythm and self confidence.

“We cannot show our brightest performance, we can do better but I don't want to be too harsh. We have lots to improve but we have the win and can continue.”

Asked about the last eight tie against Sheffield United, Tuchel said: “Last Sunday felt like a cup game against them.

"It was an intense win and it is hard to play against them, but it is a quarter final in the most prestigious cup competition in the world.

"We will be ready, I am convinced.”

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