Why Jorginho and Romelu Lukaku shouted at Timo Werner as Thomas Tuchel keeps Chelsea promise

Friday had been a normal day for Thomas Tuchel. The Chelsea head coach had overseen first-team training at Cobham, had ensured his side were prepared for the visit of Plymouth in the FA Cup, and undertook his pre-match press conference duties.

He was in good spirits, refreshed by the week off he had enjoyed at home during the international break. But then Tuchel discovered he had tested positive for Covid and in an instant, his itinerary for the forthcoming week was changed.

Having entered into self-isolation, Tuchel couldn’t take his place in the dugout for the fourth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle - nor could he travel with the first-team group to Abu Dhabi last night for the Club World Cup.

Yet the hard work had been done by the Chelsea boss who promised that a strong side would be selected for the FA Cup clash.

"This game is about being ready after a one-week break and after one week of training. It’s about being ready and getting ready to win the next game and to restart the engines," Tuchel said during his pre-match press conference. "The professional squad will take care of the game."

There were 10 full internationals in the Chelsea starting XI; Malang Sarr the only man yet to represent his country at senior level. However, the Blues were second best for much of the opening 45 minutes.

Plymouth deserved their opener and the travelling supporters, many of whom had endured a four-hour journey ahead of the lunchtime kick-off, revelled in their unexpected lead.

Cesar Azpilicueta's equaliser in the first half should've given Chelsea a platform from which they went on to win the game comfortably, but they remained sluggish and lacklustre in the second period and for much of extra time.

That Chelsea progressed