The Blues are back in action and their tie with the Tykes is the final match of the FA Cup fifth round with both targeting a place in the last eight
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth round tie away at Barnsley.
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of his first FA Cup game this evening as the Blues travel to Yorkshire on what is sure to be an absolutely freezing night in the north.
It’s been going well for Tuchel since he replaced Frank Lampard at the club with the German head coach having won his last three games on the spin while drawing his opening game to Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
But attention switches away from the Premier League for the evening as the Blues aim to reach the quarter final stage of the competition once again with a real chance of silverware for Tuchel is his first campaign in charge.
Chelsea have beaten League One and Championship opposition so far to get to this stage, seeing off Morecambe in round three and Luton Town in round for before travelling to another Championship side in Barnsley this evening, who sit 12th in the standings.
Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad but it will still be strong as the head coach has already revealed some of the players who will be starting. Kepa will line up in goal, N’Golo Kante will get his first start since January 3 and the defeat to Manchester City while Billy Gilmour is also in line for a start in midfield.
Kurt Zouma should also get the nod at centre back having yet to feature for Tuchel while Emerson Palmieri can expect a rare run out on the left of the defence. Tammy Abraham is likely to lead the line with Timo Werner rested having sustained a dead leg in the victory over Sheffield United last weekend.
On Ziyech’s inclusion, Tuchel said on Wednesday: "Hopefully tomorrow we'll see the best of him.
"He's had a good week in training and we count on Hakim like everybody else, there are absolutely no doubts about that.
For me, it's clear he needs to adapt to this kind of football, this kind of league. He's come from a strong Ajax squad but they were the benchmark in the league. And it's not the same intensity and it's not the same competition as it is here.
"But he's adapting, and he has the certain quality to decide matches and the certain quality to do the unexpected, which can give us an extra twist in any game and on any level."
We will have all the build-up to tonight's game from Oakwell, all the match action across the 90 minutes (or more if needed as the tie must be played to a finish tonight) and all of the post-match reaction from Tuchel after the tie has been completed.
The draw for the quarter finals of the competition will take place at 7.45pm tonight, 15 minutes before the Blues’ game kicks, so Chelsea’s potential quarter final opponents will be known before they get underway for their fifth round tie.
KEY EVENTS
Full time!
Chelsea are through to the quarter finals of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Barnsley. They will face Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on March 20.
Into injury time [0-1]
Last throws of the dice here for Barnsley.
Barnsley pressing [0-1]
The home side throwing themselves forward now but Chelsea staying firm.
Chelsea change
Pulisic off as well, Mateo Kovacic on.
Off the line!
Vital header from Abraham clears Sollbauer's header off the line.
GOOOOAAAAALLLLL
Tammy Abraham puta the visitors in front! Great ball from Gilmour out wide to James, who has all the time to pick out Abraham in the middle with a tap in.
Wide again
Much better delivery from Ziyech this time as Rudiger meets his free kick but can't steer his header on target.
Wide [0-0]
As close as Chelsea have come. Good play from Hudson-Odoi, brings the ball down and beats Sibbick but drages his effort wide.
Formation change [0-0]
Tuchel has switched to a back four, it looks like a 4-3-3 now for the visitors which will compromise Barnsley's high line. The hosts will be brave to keep that up.
Secnond half kicks off [0-0]
Away we go again and there is a double change for Chelsea. Christensen and Alonso off, James and Rudiger on.
Here come the players
Back out for the second half. Expecting a vastly improved performance from the Blues in the second 45 minutes.
Half time
0-0. Barnsley have had the better chances in the first period, Chelsea have been poor.
Close [0-0]
Short corner almost caught Chelsea out as a shot is deflected wide by Connor Chaplain.
Wide [0-0]
Hudson-Odoi's cross is a deep one and Pulisic, on the stretch, can't get enough on it and the ball goes harmlessly wide.
Back in the team
Wide [0-0]
Mowett lashes wide after Ziyech gave the ball away and Barnsley broke. The Bues have been better in the last ten minutes or so but have yet to test the Tykes goalkeeper.
No penalty [0-0]
Sibbick makes a tackle and gets none of the ball, all of Abraham but no penalty is awarded.
Sluggish [0-0]
Not a good start from Chelsea, who really haven't got going and are indebted to Kepa for that big save from Brittain in the tenth minute.
Big save Kepa
Mowett's ball in is a really teasing one and from point-blank range, Kepa makes a wonderful stop to keep it at 0-0.
Early sighter [0-0]
Former Fulham frontman Cauley Woodrow hits one miles over. Barnsley trying to press Chelsea high and quickly.
KICK OFF [0-0]
We're underway
Here come the teams
The players are out at Oakwell.
Tuchel to BBC Sport
Any competition we play we want to win, this is what our club is all about, this is the mentality and attitude I expect. We have prepared in a professional way and I expect to play like this.
They deserve it because they show on the training ground that I can count on them, they deserve to play. Not to overdo it today, they don’t have to prove today to show me everything they are able to, just a solid and a team performance.
Chelsea's quarter final opponents confirmed
The quarter final draw has taken place ahead of kick off and Chelsea or Barnsley will be at home to Sheffield United on March 20.
From Oakwell...
Evening all. I'm just watching the Chelsea players going through a shooting drill and the finishing has been on point. Hopefully that is a sign of things to come.
There is still debate in the press area about exactly how Chelsea will line up tonight. We understandit will be a 3-4-1-2 with Emerson as the left centre-back and Alonso at left wing-back.
Hopefully we get to see Tino Anjorin and Lewis Bate get some game time tonight if Chelsea have this match sewn up early.
A bit different from Stamford Bridge....
Reaction on social media
Plenty of Blues fans on Twitter are very happy with the side that Thomas Tuchel has picked this evening.
Thoughts on the team news
While Thomas Tuchel has made plenty of changes, that is a team full of internationals outside of Billy Gilmour so, on paper, it should be more than enough to get the job done this evening.
Big nights for Ziyech, Pulisic and Abraham who really need to perform to force their way into the head coach's plans for the remainder of the season.
Ten changes in total for the Blues as only Andreas Christensen keeps his place from the weekend. We're expecting a back five once again with Emerson at the left sided centre half and Alonso as the left wing back.
An intriguing night awaits for Chelsea and one they will hope to get done in 90 minutes rather than having to go to extra time or penalties
Barnsley team
Collins; Brittain, Sibbick, Hellick, Andersen; Styles, Chaplain, Mowatt, Kane; Adeboyejo, Woodrow.
Team news!
Here's the Chelsea team:
Kepa; Emerson, Christensen, Zouma, Alonso; Gilmour, Kante, Hudson-Odoi; Ziyech, Pulisic, Abraham.
Not long now
Team news dropping very shortly from Oakwell.
Saving a few million is always good
Chelsea brought in Thiago Silva on a free transfer last summer and it has paid off despite the Brazilian currently ruled out with a thigh problem.
Could Chelsea explore the free agent market once again this summer?
A cold night in prospect
Players with a point to prove
The aforementioned Ziyech is one of them but who else needs to impress Thomas Tuchel tonight if they are given the chance?
Hakim Ziyech
The Moroccan winger will start for the Blues tonight having not bene involved in a game for Thomas Tuchel since his first one in charge, the 0-0 draw with Wolves.
Ziyech is ready for his return to action.
Chelsea's accounts
The Blues released their full financial accounts for 2019/20 earlier today.
Here, our writer Alan Smith breaks down the facts and figures and what it all means for the Blues.
Predicted team
So, who do we think will start?
Here's our team that we think Tuchel will go with tonight.
Newcastle's injury woes
Briefly turning away from the FA Cup for a moment, Chelsea take on Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday night at Stamford Bridge.
Steve Bruce's side have a real injury crisis on their hands and could have a little as 16 players available for their visit to London early next week.
And on Thiago Silva...
What Tuchel had to say on N'Golo Kante
The squad available
Here's who Thomas Tuchel has to choose from for his matchday squad this evening.
The draw for the next round
We have a live blog already up and running for it as Chelsea will find out who their potential quarter final opponents 15 minutes before kick off.
Here it is if you want to follow it.
How to watch the game tonight
If you fancy a Thursday evening in front of the TV watching the Blues, then you can!
The match is being broadcast on BBC One this evening, the game will get underway straight after the quarter final draw which is at 7.45pm tonight.
Good evening!
Welcome along to coverage of Chelsea's FA Cup trip to Barnsley this evening.
Adam Newson is the lucky(?) one that will be at Oakwell tonight (I am informed he has plenty of layers on) and he'll be with us for later. But, for the timebing, you just have to make do with me until he gets there.
