Barnsley 0-1 Chelsea: The one where Tammy Abraham played striker and defender

The Cobham Connection: James + Abraham

Not sure if it was mentioned at all this week across FA Cup and Premier League games, but it's been a bit cold across the UK. So cold that apparently Allison forgot how to be a goalkeeper in Liverpool's defeat to champions-elect Manchester City. And it also has given pundits up and down the country something to chat about when the match isn't very good. See Thursday's game at Barnsley or Manchester United's extra-time atrocity against West Ham.

With that in mind, Chelsea could be forgiven for using the opening 45 minutes just to get warmed up. Ahead of the match Thomas Tuchel said he didn't want any players to 'try to hard' to impress him so they could focus on the task at hand. It felt like a few of those players may have taken the boss' message a little too much to heart.

Rather than have a look at everyone just in training, there is a sense that all of Frank Lampard's previous charges will get a look in during an actual match. Kepa returned to the starting XI and did an admirable job at maintaining a clean sheet. As Barnsley were on the front foot a lot more than most expected.

Billy Gilmour and N'Golo Kante were partnered up in midfield. With the World Cup winning angel being named captain. As much of a fan of him as both a player and person, I'm not sure the quietest man in the country is really the best option as captain. Kurt Zouma and Emerson were reinstated in Chelsea's back-line.

Kepa's save from close range

Tuchel was surprisingly swift to ring in the changes as he made a double swap just after the break. Marcos Alonso and Andreas Christensen made way for Reece James and Toni Rudiger. With Barnsley's size and strength, something which should have been scouted before the game, the substitutions made sense. Who's going to bully Reece James?

The lone goal in the match was made at Cobham. Tammy Abraham tapped in from close range from a brilliant Reece James cross who'd received the ball from Billy Gilmour. Not for the first time in the last 18 months has it been Chelsea's academy to come up big when it matters.

Like all media outlets, Barnsley channeled their shock FA Cup win 13 years ago rather than the humbling League cup defeat just five months ago. They looked the better side throughout the match. Their continued pressure produced a standout moment from Tammy Abraham who made a spectacular headed goal line clearance. After the match he revealed that he had trained as a defender in his youth so it was instinctual. Didier Drogba and Olivier Giroud have always proved canny operators in their own box, will Tammy Abraham follow finally follow in their footsteps?

Tammy Abraham's goal-line clearance

I think fans and neutrals alike can be grateful for the match being decided within 90 minutes. Not a classic by any means, but it doesn't have to be. It's all about the result and progressing to the next round. From his continued agitation in the technical area, Tuchel may be leaving some players out in the cold as competition begins to hot up.

Chelsea have booked a quarter-final date with Sheffield United next month. Thank you to ex-Chelsea star Karen Carney for the favourable draw. Next up though will be Newcastle as the big game on Monday Night Football. They will be without Callum Wilson and Fabian Schar, so no excuses.

jb x

RESULT: Barnsley 0-1 Chelsea

GOALS: Abraham 64

CHELSEA XI: Kepa, Hudson-Odoi, Christensen (Rudiger 46), Zouma, Emerson, Alonso (James 46), Kante, Gilmour, Ziyech (Anjorin 69), Pulisic (Kovacic 80), Abraham

STAR MAN: Tammy Abraham