It promises to be a wonderful weekend of FA Cup football with a number of fascinating fourth round ties.
The lunchtime kick-offs see European champions Chelsea host League One outfit Plymouth Argyle, as well as non-league Kidderminster entertaining the Premier League’s West Ham. Kiddy can be seen most weekends in the sixth-tier National League North and were forced to start this season’s competition in the second qualifying round stage, meaning Russell Penn’s side have had to negotiate six matches to reach this stage.
Steven Schumacher’s Pilgrims travel to Stamford Bridge after upsetting Birmingham in the third round, while Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will hope to make it third time lucky in the cup after being upset in back-to-back finals to Arsenal and Leicester, despite rebounding to lift their second European Cup days later. Chesterfield were thrashed last time out at the Bridge, underlining the task that Plymouth face this afternoon.
“It’s a bit daunting to be honest,” Schumacher told BBC Sport. “I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be a difficult afternoon, but I just want to embrace it and enjoy it as best as possible. I was in St George’s Park on my pro licence and immediately went ‘yes’ when we got Chelsea away and then thought ‘oh my God, we’re going up against the European champions away from home’. You’ve got to try and enjoy it, put a plan together for your team and go there and give it your all.”
Follow live minute-by-minute updates from both cup ties, plus build-up, team news, analysis and reaction below:
Chelsea 1 – 1 Plymouth
Macaulay Gillesphey and Cesar Azpilicueta have the goals at Stamford Bridge and the team head into half-time with nothing to separate them. Chelsea have been dominant since they went behind and it’ll be a difficult task for Plymouth over the next 45 minutes.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:26
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
Alex Penny has given Kidderminster the lead at the Aggborough Stadium. Can they hold onto it for another 45 minutes or will West Ham find a way back into the game?
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:22
Half-time: Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham, Chelsea 1 – 1 Plymouth
45+1 mins: Both games reach the break. National League side Kidderminster have the lead against West Ham but the Premier League outfit started to find their feet towards the end of the first half.
At Stamford Bridge Plymouth took the early lead but Chelsea responded well and earned themselves an equaliser after hitting the woodwork three times.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:20
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
42 mins: West Ham have stepped up a gear. There’s more intent to their passing and they’re finding space in the wide areas now. A couple of crosses come into the box but neither finds Bowen or Yarmolenko who were waiting up against the Kidderminster centre-backs. Can the home side hold out until half-time?
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:17
GOAL! Chelsea 1 – 1 Plymouth (Azpilicueta, 39’)⚽️
39 mins: There’s the equaliser at Stamford Bridge! Unlike West Ham, Chelsea have been knocking on the door and Cesar Azpilicueta is the man to breakthrough. Mason Mount works the ball down the right side and puts it on a plate for Azpilicueta with a fine pass into the box. It’s matched by Azpilicueta’s finish as the Chelsea captain beautifully guides it home to level the match.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:13
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
39 mins: Chance! West Ham look very nervous when Kidderminster win set pieces near their box. This one is a corner that gets whipped over to the far post. Nathan Cameron is wide open but the ball is drops a bit behind him. He gets a head to it but can’t direct the effort and puts the chance wide of the nearest post.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:12
Chelsea 0 – 1 Plymouth
38 mins: Mateo Kovacic seems to be single-handedly trying to get Chelsea back on level terms. He receives the ball on the edge of the box and drills a low shot at goal only to smack it into the post!
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:10
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
35 mins: Close! Nikola Vlasic is sent free down the left side and collects the ball before it goes out of play. He swings a high cross over to the far side of the box where Yarmolenko grapples with Richards to get to the falling ball. Yarmolenko looks to meet it on the volley but Richards bravely dives low to head the ball clear first.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:08
Chelsea 0 – 1 Plymouth
32 mins: Chance! Chelsea really should be level. They’ve twice hit the crossbar with Mateo Kovacic coming close but the best chance feel to Callum Hudson-Odoi. He meets a cross in the box, six-yards out from goal, but can’t keep it down and rattles his effort into the woodwork.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:04
Kidderminster 1 – 0 West Ham
30 mins: Ryan Fredericks whips another cross into the box for West Ham. It comes flying at goal and Matt Preston hooks it up and over his own crossbar to give the Hammers a corner.
Nothing comes from it though. Half an hour played and Kidderminster have the lead.
Michael Jones5 February 2022 13:02